Digging into anything and everything that makes the CNMI tick beyond politics...

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Tinian Hot Pepper Festival more colorful despite economic crisis

TINIAN — Tinian’s Hot Pepper Festival turned out to be more colorful and livelier this year despite the economic crisis and the government’s austerity measures.
Host LJ Castro, front right, leads Tinian Mayor Ramon Dela Cruz, center, and other residents during a square dance at the Hot Pepper Festival on Saturday night. Photo by Raquel C. Bagnol Marianas Visitors Authority representative Vida Borja from Tinian told the Variety that compared to the past years, more people showed up for the festival on Saturday and Sunday.
“We have more tourists this weekend, and more community involvement which is really our main target,” Borja said.
JC CafĂ© restaurant manager Lot G. Bunao said  business was good for the establishments that put up booths for the two-day event.
“The first day was good but I was a little worried that there will be fewer people on the second day. I was wrong because more people turned up on Sunday, especially at night,” Bunao said.
Businesswoman Susan Cruz said the austerity measures did not hinder residents and guests from enjoying all the contests and activities.
Children and adults had a great time at the different games and contests at the festival which was hosted by LJ Castro.
A cooking show highlighted Saturday’s events as participants prepared different dishes using Donni Sali, Tinian’s world famous hot pepper.
Even the slight drizzle on Saturday night did not deter the people who kept on dancing to the live beat of the band and musicians from Guam. (published HERE)

Hearts in One: A night of singing and dancing

SPECTATORS of the Hearts in One Musical Variety Show at the multi-purpose center in Susupe on Friday went home happy that they not only enjoyed the show but they also supported the 2011 World Youth Delegates from Saipan who will be going to Spain this year.
The BodyMovers perform during the Hearts in One Musical Variety Show at the multi-purpose center on Friday night. Photo by Raquel C. BagnolOrganized by  Allen’s School of Dance and Performing Arts, the show featured a night of entertainment presented by some of the island’s talented singers and dancers.
The audience was treated to a variety of songs and dances performed by the students of Allen’s School of Dance and Performing Arts, Uncle Ben’s Music and Dance Studio, Saipan Music and Dance Studio, BodyMovers, Kid’z Legacy, Project Impact, local singers Rein Bacud and Ricky Custodio and the 2011 World Youth Delegates choir members.
It was a night of music: from contemporary to hiphop remix, folk, Latin, jazz and more.
The BodyMovers led by Allen Cuyugan sang and danced.
Show producer and director Cuyugan said it was their first time to put up a non-stop musical variety show and he was happy with the turnout.
“We would like to thank the people who supported us in the event, and we hope to do more shows in the future to entertain the people,” Cuyugan said.
Lucky ticket holders went home with gift certificates, free cellphone cards, gift packs, and a $100 cash prize courtesy of the show’s sponsors iConnect, Shenanigans Restaurant, Jacem, KFC, IT&E, Koi’s Restaurant & Bar, China House Restaurant and Marissa Nakajima.

Instructors and choreographers from the different dance studios who were part of the show are willing to teach individuals who want to become part of future shows, Cuyugan said.
Allen’s School of Dance and Performing Arts is located at the back of DFS Galleria in Garapan. For more information, call 233-LLEN (5536) or 989-1192. (published HERE)

Surviving shots

I WAS in a chair beside a stretcher where my buddy was writhing in pain in the CHC emergency room at 3 a.m. three days ago when a couple of nurses came in.  My buddy was suffering from gastro acidity and the “cocktail” the nurses gave him earlier did not lessen his pain.
“We’re going to give him fluids now,” one of the nurses addressed me, and I visibly paled. He started to roll up the left sleeve of my buddy’s jacket and got everything ready for the intravenous shot. I cringed and started to shake inwardly as I fought the weakness that started to crawl from my knees and to the rest of my body.
I always have this fear of needles, even if I’m just watching someone getting a shot. I gripped my buddy’s right elbow not to comfort him but to control my shaking as the needle went through his left hand and the nurses finally had the dextrose and another bag of liquid for gastro acidity in place. Weak-kneed, I watched the liquid trickling slowly from the bags and into my buddy’s arm and was able to breathe normally again only when his breathing finally became even and he started to snore softly.

But the worst was yet to come. A little boy was admitted in who would not not stop crying when nurses and hospital staff pinned him to the bed to give him a shot. I peered through the curtains but one of the nurses waved me away. Seeing my buddy having IV injections and hearing the boy wailing was an ordeal I had to endure for the next couple of hours.
“You were so pale I thought we had to administer the IV on you instead,” one of the nurses told me when we checked out that morning. They did not know that I nearly fainted from fighting my fear of needles.
I know I’m not alone. Thousands of other people all over the world would wish to disappear each time a doctor asks them to roll up their sleeves to get a shot. Thousands are suffering from fear of needles so that they would rather suffer and endure the pain and not see a doctor until they have to.
“We have patients who would rather suffer toothache instead of seeing the dentist because they are afraid of injections,” Dental Care resident dentist Fred Gogan said.
According to Dr. Ken Pierson of the Saipan Seventh Day Adventist Dental Clinic, “Sometimes, patients who have fear of needles try to endure the pain and wait until it’s too late for us to save their teeth.”
Both dentists said the fear of needles is something that can be conquered.
Tips to survive shots
Here are some tips from the www.kids.org website and other sources on how to survive shots or conquer your fear of needles.
•    Distract yourself while you're waiting for your shot. You can listen to music, answer puzzles, read a book or bring a movie player so you will be distracted from thinking about the shot.
•    Take slow, deep breaths all the way down into your belly to help you relax. Breathing exercises can help you relax.
•    Talking to a friend for support can also help you distract your attention. Talk about pleasant topics such as coming activities and plans.
•    Focus your full attention on something in the room. It can be a poster, a picture or a sign on the wall, or anything. Concentrate on the details. For example you are looking at a picture, study the colors, the setting or whatever it takes to take your mind off from the shot.
•    While taking a needle shot, don’t’ look at it. Turn your face toward the opposite direction or to a wall or anything away from your arm.
•    Relax. If you are tense, it will only make you feel more hurt. Don’t move your arms or make any sudden movements that will only make the experience more traumatic for you.
•    Don’t think of the needle before or after your shot because it will only add up to the anxiety and fear you have of the needle.
•    Do not hesitate to tell your doctor or nurse that you are afraid of needles. They deal with people like you every day and can help you relax.
•    Condition your mind that the jab of a needle is just one tiny quick bite.
•    Remember that the shot can help you get well or for your own good.
•    If you feel faint or lightheaded after a shot, rest for a few minutes.
Getting shots is an experience that can be tough not only for parents and kids, but for a lot of adults too. It may help to know that your fear is not unique and you are not alone.
The tips to survive shots are easier said than done and it’s more tempting to skip the shots but the good news is you can challenge yourself to face the fear. (This article was first published HERE)