PIBBA International Treasurer Wins CNMI Election!

Senator Jovita Maratita "Jovie" Taimanao

Senator Taimanao, who also serves as the PIBBA International Treasurer, is all smiles at the 28th Annual International PIBBA Conference held in Guam.

We are proud to announce that our very own PIBBA International Treasurer, Jovita Maratita "Jovie" Taimanao, won a senate seat in the CNMI Election held November 7, 2009! Senator Taimanao ran as an Independent in the First Senatorial District of Rota. She serves as the Legislative Secretary of the 17th Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature and is the Chair of the Fiscal Affairs Committee.


Taimanao provided the following Mission Statement, which is posted on the Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature website:

"The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands needs legislators to restore the integrity and honesty of government, a positive living environment, and a caring community. Our People have given me a sacred trust to work for our islands’ families, grandparents and grandchildren. I will respect the wisdom of those before and the future of those to follow. I will discharge this trust through legislative policy, constituent services and the way we treat each other, guided by principles of CHANGE:

· Doing what is fair, honest, transparent, and in the best interest of the people.

· Restoring public trust in our government.

· Promoting revenue increase through local business and outside investments.

· Preserving our culture and language.

· Fostering good work ethic and communications between our islands’ public officials.

· Exploring innovative and new measures to secure quality education, healthcare, and public safety.

In all that I do, my purpose will be to allow the family to be strengthened by keeping more of what they earn, assuring jobs and their future with sound financial policies; restoring common sense to law and regulation; and, to promote decision-making at the level closest to the people-our communities, districts and most importantly our homes."


We are very proud of Senator Taimanao, and we are confident that she will uphold her mission and further promote the goals of the Pacific Islands Bilingual Bicultural Association! BIBA PIBBA!

Snapshots of PIBBA Car Wash

Pictured above: PIBBA International President Rosa Salas Palomo and PIBBA Volunteer Julia Naputi Rivera



Pictured above: PIBBA International Members Zander Refilong, Mye Ganan-Flores, and Risa Salas-Miguel




Pictured above: PIBBA International Members Carmen Weaver, Terry Flores & Granddaughter




Pictured above: PIBBA International Member Dawn Maka and Rosalie Lujan




Pictured above: PIBBA International Members Carmen Weaver and Terri Flores




Pictured above: PIBBA International Webmaster Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera




Pictured above: PIBBA International Member Joe Mafnas




Pictured above: PIBBA Local Chapter President Juanita Manibusan and granddaughter Angela




Pictured above: PIBBA Volunteer Rick San Nicolas "Mr. SN"

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

Biba Anu Nuebo (Chamorro)

Maligayang Bagong Taon (Tagalog)

Pwapwan Ei Ier Mi Fo (Chuukese)

Jeramman ilo iio in ekaal (Marshallese)

Parakapw Mwahu (Pohnpeian)

Ameseighil ubwutiiwel Layui Luugh me raagh fee (Carolinian)

Engan ke ya sasu (Kosraean)

Selsalan Ebeach e duw (Yapese)

Ungil Becheserrak (Palauan)

Akemashite Omedeto Gozaimasu (Japanese)

Feliz Ano Nuevo (Spanish)

Hau'oli Makahiki Hou (Hawaiian)

Sut dal kum mum (Korean)

Gung Hay Fat Choy (Chinese)

Chúc Mung Nam Moi (Vietnamese)

May the year 2010 bring you abundant blessings filled with much love, joy, peace, and happiness!

Felis Pasgua ~ Feliz Navidad

May the Lord richly bless you with a memorable Christmas to cherish with family and friends. Felis Pasgua! Feliz Navidad! Have a blessed Christmas filled much love, joy, peace, and happiness!

Condolences for Jose Aguon Concepcion

The PIBBA family extends its deepest condolences and sympathies to the family of Jose Aguon Concepcion, our PIBBA friend and father of PIBBA member Terry Flores. He left this earth on September 25, 2009 in the state of Hawaii and was buried in Sa'ipan on October 13, 2009. He will always be remembered. God Bless him and his family. May he rest in peace.

PIBBA Conference to be hosted in the RMI

For information on the 29th Annual International PIBBA Conference, please read the details below.

Image source: http://www.rmiembassyus.org/

29th Annual International
PIBBA Conference


KUBWIJ BUNI EO
REVIVING THE LANGUAGES AND CULTURES OF THE PACIFIC

Tuesday-Friday, June 22-25, 2010
Marshall Islands High School

Sponsored by:
Pacific Islands Bilingual Bicultural Association (PIBBA) International and RMI Chapter

The PIBBA Conference is an annual event in which Western Pacific educators are provided with opportunities for professional growth and cultural enrichment. This year's conference offers a wonderful selection of traditional, innovative, and practical workshops, presented by creative and imaginative educators and cultural leaders from the Pacific islands.

PIBBA Conference Chairs:

Cheta N. Anien, President-Elect, PIBBA International
Emman Rokjan, President, PIBBA RMI Chapter

For information, contact Cheta N. Anien at (692) 625-5261/5262 or e-mail chetaanien@rmimoe.net or pibba.international@gmail.com

SNAPSHOTS FROM THE 28TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL PIBBA CONFERENCE HELD IN GUAM

Pictured above: Proclamation signing for the 28th Annual International PIBBA Conference at the Governor's Conference Room. L-R front row seated: Carmen Weaver, Rosa Salas Palomo, Lt. Governor Mike Cruz, Governor Felix Camacho, and Dr. Jose Q. Cruz. Back row L-R: Teresita Flores, Maria Cruz, Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, Carol Cepeda, Marife Fernandez, Mye Ganan Flores, Risa Salas Miguel, Zander Refilong, Joseph Mafnas, and Antonia Salas.

Pictured above: The 30th Guam Legislature presented a legislative resolution commending the celebration of the 28th Annual International PIBBA Conference on June 22, 2009 at the Guam Marriott Resort and Spa. Pictured above L-R: Dr. Robert Underwood, UOG President and first PIBBA President; Masa-Aki Emesiochl, first PIBBA President-Elect; Juanita Manibusan, PIBBA Conference Co-Chair & 2008-2009 President of PIBBA Guam Chapter; Rosa Salas Palomo, PIBBA Conference Co-Chair & 2008-2009 PIBBA International President-Elect; Senator Tina Muna-Barnes; Frances Sablan, CNMI head delegation; Marilyn Salas, 2008-2009 PIBBA International Secretary; Alister Tolenoa, Kosrae head delegation; and Shelten Neth, 2008-2009 PIBBA International President.

Pictured above L-R: Zander Refilong, PIBBA steering committee member; Lt. Governor Bill Tosie of Kosrae; PIBBA President Shelten Neth; and Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, PIBBA steering committee member.

Pictured above L-R: Teresita Flores, PIBBA steering committee member; Joe Mafnas, PIBBA steering committee member; Frances Sablan, PIBBA secretary; Alister Tolenoa, Kosrae delegation; and Carmen Weaver, PIBBA steering committee member.

Pacific Educator Fall 2009 Issue

The Fall 2009 issue of Pacific Educator is now available via PDF download at http://www.prel.org/products/pacific-educator.aspx As mentioned in PREL's announcement, the "Pacific Educator features articles focusing on the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) legislation, classroom applications for teachers, and PREL program updates from throughout the U.S.-affiliated Pacific and continental United States."

In particular, this issue includes topics dealing with standards for Guam and FSM, professional practice in Palau, preparing principals in the Pacific, Pohnpei's digital library training, social entrepreneurship & the arts, special tributes to Drs. Tom Barlow and Rita Inos, and Yap's transitional year of grade 5! Enjoy!