US cable network airs episode on Saipan collapse

These are some photos I took showing some of the Saipan establishments that have
already shut down in the past two years as the CNMI’s economy continues to get worse.

VISITING Saipan nowadays is like coming back to what was once a thriving civilization that had been destroyed and abandoned. This was according to Adam Yamaguchi, a television correspondent and producer at Current TV, a cable network founded by former Vice President Al Gore.

He visited the island recently to document the “rise and sudden collapse of a tiny piece of America.”The trailer for his documentary “The Battle of Saipan” is available online: http://current.com/items/89699623/battle_of_saipan_trailer.htm

“Saipan is a nice place that I would pay a lot of my own money to visit, but Saipan is facing one of the fastest economic collapses in history,” Yamaguchi said in the trailer.

He added, “The present battle of Saipan is an economic one, and throughout the islands you can see the victims.”

He said many of the foreign workers who came to work for garment factories are now loitering the island, jobless and have no means to go home.

He said some factory workers have resorted to prostitution just to survive.

The Current Web site includes an excerpt from “The Battle of Saipan” showing Yamaguchi talking with guest workers now in the sex trade. (http://current.com/items/89782146/adam_picks_up_a_prostitute.htm)

“Saipan used to have the best of both worlds — cheap labor to allow it to compete with the prices of garments in U.S. mainland manufacturers, and no quota on what it could ship to the mainland,” Yamaguchi said.

He added that a few years ago, 17,000 Chinese workers were making clothing in over three dozen garment factories, earning $3 an hour “which is just 60 percent of the minimum wage rate in the U.S. mainland,” Yamaguchi said.

All this ended when World Trade Organization rules took effect in 2005 following a 10-year transition period.

Now, garment factories in Third World countries, where labor is cheaper, can also export their apparel to the U.S. without quota restrictions.

“Once the ultimate globalization success story, the island of Saipan now faces one of the fastest economic collapses in history,” the Current Web site stated. “After suffering a harsh history of military struggles as well as a temporary economic boom after becoming a U.S. commonwealth, the island now stands devastated. Scores of factories remain empty, rotting shopping centers litter the country, and former factory workers turn to the sex industry for survival.”

This article was originally published HERE

Smiling Cove... Where the best things in life are free

One of my favorite places on Saipan is this short stretch of dock located at the far end of American Memorial Park, the Smiling Cove Marina.

Tucked at the farthest end of the Smiling Cove is a small park that gives you a perfect 360-degree view of Tanapag, Micro Beach, Managaha Island and the Capitol hills in the distant.
The place, a step just beyond the “Off limits to vehicles” sign issues a silent but irresistible welcome especially for wander-lusty individuals. The place has a mini-lighthouse and well-manicured grasses beneath the shades of pine trees—a perfect spot to sit, watch the activities around you or simply let the time pass by.
I happened to be at the place on one windy day and I have to literally hold on to the tree trunks so as not to be blown away by the winds but it was a refreshing experience, one I would gladly have in exchange for the routine of work any day.
If you want to check the place out, forget getting a coiffure or gel-plastered hair but be prepared to rough it out and breathe in the salty tang of air straight from the ocean.
Not many people frequent the place (it feels like a private dock actually) save for a few who venture out with their fishing poles.
Smiling Cove dock comes alive as sunset draws near, with hordes of tourists transported by buses arrive for sunset cruise trips via Jade Lady 111, Stars and Stripes and other luxury boats.
As a sunset buff, I have stored several gigabytes of photos in my computer of the setting sun with Micro Beach as the backdrop from my favorite location—perched atop a huge cement pole lying on the ground.
I can never get a fill of the place—seeing multi-colored fishes swimming in crystal-clear blue waters, hearing the happy chatter of tourists from the cruise boats, the splash of water as a fisherman throws in his line, fresh air blowing on your face—all these and more which you get to enjoy for free.

This article was originally published HERE

On top of Tinian’s suicide cliff

My periodic visits to the island of Tinian are always done is a hurry, with no spare time to go around. But not last month because I had a full day to spare and the pleasant company of Rep. Edwin Aldan who volunteered to drive me and my two buddies to visit the historical sites of the island.

We headed to the southern part and the first place we visited simply took my breath away—the Suicide Cliffs of Tinian. I’ve seen these cliffs from a distance one time when I broke one of the regulations and went out to the deck of the ferry but standing 180 feet above sea level right on top of the cliffs is a different story.
Here a glorious panorama stretches before your eyes—waves rolling on the clearest and the bluest of waters you can imagine, with the cliffs on the side forming a barrier like a protection cove.
Even if I don’t have acrophobia, I can’t stop the tingling feeling in my stomach when I leaned over the cement structure designed as a small lookout. The churning waters below looked hypnotizing yet dangerous. The lookout is just fantastic, the reality of a photographer’s dream.
This is one place you wouldn’t dream of associating with anything unpleasant like death and I wished I didn’t have an idea that from the very place we were standing on, thousands of Japanese committed suicide and jumped to their deaths during the World War 11 in 1944. They considered death a better option than to surrender to the Americans.
The thought alone gave me the shivers although it was broad daylight. I wonder how it would feel to visit the place at night. The place was deserted, but our host told us lots of tourists come to visit the place where they lost their ancestors.

This article was originally published HERE

Exploring Lake Susupe

THE swift strokes of the paddle competed with the fast ticking of the clock as we tried to catch the sunset in the middle of the water. We were onboard a floating open cottage and were heading toward the other end of the lake, busily clicking away at our cameras.

Susupe Lake has piqued my curiosity ever since I arrived on this island 11 months ago. We dropped by the place earlier that day, but decided to come back to catch the sunset. We were not disappointed.
Our host, Jesus Guerrero gave us a real treat when he decided to paddle us over to the other side with his two young nephews and regaled us with stories about this treasure of a place which he described as “everybody knows it’s there but not all know where it’s exactly located.”
Susupe Lake is a perfect place to while away the time, fresh air and best of all catch the sunset. You can’t help but hold your breath as the setting sun casts long rays of reds, oranges, yellows and vermillion reflections on the water.
Not as clear as you would expect it, Guerrero said the bottom of the lake is deep and muddy, and their place is the only access to the lake.
Bordered by thick trees all around, the lake is home to hundreds of tilapia (mudfish), birds and ducks.
If you are one of those individuals who stick to the main roads without getting curious as to what lies beyond the forks in the roads, you are missing a lot for these twists and turns on the road sometimes lead you to treasures waiting to be discovered.
To get to the lake, just follow Hagoi Street from the main road in Susupe. It’s at the end of the street.

(This article was first published HERE)

Chillin'

MyFotoForToday Jan. 7, 2009


HATCHED?
These kids slipped into the egg chiller in one of the stores in Saipan unnoticed by their mom who was busy doing last minute shopping on New Year's Eve. And oh, they didn't hatch from eggs.

Two nights of superb wines

WINE connoisseurs in the island got a special treat as Pacific Trading Company, Ltd. allowed guests to have a taste of its special wines for two nights in a row.

Friday night brought together a merry mix of party goers at the “Discover at Palms Resort Saipan” event—a night where all cares were left at the door and guests partook of free-flowing fine wine from the hotel’s menu.

Taking center stage was Peroni Italy, the world’s number one premium Italian beer which was introduced to the guests.

Chefs had their hands full as everyone indulged in a variety of Italian inspired hors d’oeuvres to choose from. A contemporary fashion show presented by Events Unlimited and Pena House featuring the island’s sexy and dynamic models highlighted the event. Lucky winners brought home attractive prizes from the sponsors including cellular phones from Docomo Pacific and bottles of wine.

On Thursday evening, selected guests gathered at the Lobby Lounge of the Hyatt Regency Saipan to have a sip of the truth from fine Kendall-Jackson Wines.

Jessica Ann Rosario, Mid-Pacific Distributors, Inc. sales and marketing manager introduced the night’s wine tasting including the 2006 Kendall –Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay.

“This is Kendall-Jackson’s flagship wine, a richly layered and balanced wine which glides down your throat while you savor the tropical flavors,” Rosario said.

Also introduced were the 2005 Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Merlot and 2005 Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.

All three wines got above 85 points in rating which shows its excellence. Hyatt Regency Saipan prepared excellent appetizers to go with the wines.

Guests couldn’t just have their fill of fine wine—even after two consecutive nights!

(This article originally appeared HERE)

Taking off!

MyFotoForToday
Dec. 20, 2008


Sky walking

A boy finds pleasure in jumping from the rock and into the clear waters off Taga Beach in Tinian. This is a favorite spot among kids and adults in the island.
Captured from my point and shoot using shaky hands...