In The News: NMBF holds Induction, Victory Party

(Northern Marianas Badminton Federation officers, from left, secretary Hapi Gabriel, founder and former president Jonathan Perez, president Marconi Calindas, vice president Edwin Montoya, treasurer Malou Mendoza, auditor Cristy Villaflor, and public relations officer Macoi Aguda.)

Northern Marianas Badminton Federation held its induction party for its new set of officers and victory party for the Top 3 teams in the Inaugural 2007 Mixed Team Tournament last year.

Traders Insurance topped the month-long tournament with SaipanCell/BME & Sons Construction placing second. L&M Enterprises/Tropex Garden United Colors of Badminton placed third.

NMBF officials also awarded plaques of appreciation to PTI, Traders Insurance, LabTech, Pure H20, Pacific Marine, Sun Palace, Shirley's Coffee Shop, Salon de Manila, Tan Holdings, SaipanCell, BME & Sons Construction, Tropex Garden, and L&M Enterprises.

The mixed team tournament was held in cooperation with Admaran International, Coral Ocean Point, Jollibee, Macatangay Dermhealth Saipan, Micronesian Brokers Inc., Truong's Vietnamese Restaurant, Vargas Construction, EI Freight Micronesia, Inc., Manic Inn, and Elite Printing.

Newly-inducted officers for 2008 were Marconi Calindas, president; Edwin Montoya, vice president; Happy Gabriel, secretary; Malou Mendoza, treasurer; Christy Villaflor, auditor; and Macoi Aguda, public relations officer.

NMBF founder and former president Jonathan Perez led the oath-taking ceremony, which was held from 6pm to 10pm at the Chambre Bar at the Fiesta Resort & Spa.Special guest performers of the evening were Gabriel, Paul Dujua of the Fantasticks, and Pebbles Wong.

Reliance Construction, Traders Insurance, SaipanCell, LabTech, Makeover Beauty Salon, Trends Beauty Salon, Genoveva's Hair Power, Inc., Wear-a-Marconi, Apex Remittance, Vargas Construction, Cielo's Jewelry Creations, Pacific Trading Co., and ESolutions, Inc. donated raffle prizes that were given away during the awards ceremony.

(Saipan Tribune)

NMBF Induction/Victory Party Presentations

Badminton Open every Saturday

(Marlene Peraja and Hapi Gabriel hold their cash prizes after winning Saturday's NMBF Badminton Weekend Open Mixed Doubles, beating seven other pairs last Saturday at the Gilber C. Ada Gymnasium)

The Northern Marianas Badminton Federation started a weekly mini-tournament to further hone the skills of their players and promote the sport locally.Dubbed the Badminton Weekend Open, the games are being held every Saturday from 8am to 11am where players who want to join are paired up in a blind draw, knockout match format.

NMBF decided to hold the weekly mini-tournament, which began last Feb. 9, for the spirit of fun and camaraderie. The events played are in men's, women's, and mixed doubles.

Last Saturday, the mixed doubles pair of Hapi Gabriel and Marlene Peraja defeated the duo of Diane Dar Juan and Lito Mendoza, 16-21, 21-18, 21-14, to claim the week's bragging rights.

Five other mixed doubles pairs joined Saturday's mini-tournament including the tandems of Loida Ito and Roger Vales, Angie Ito and June Pineda, Macoi Aguda and Juliet Ramos, and Shirley Kim and Rommel Villaviza.

Angie Ito and Pineda joined the teams of Gabriel and Peraja and Dar Juan and Mendoza in the second round.

Only two courts are being used for the mini-tournament with the other four reserved for those players who do want to join the games.

Last Feb. 9, Ryan Achas and Jojo Lazaro won the men's doubles, while Dar Juan teamed up with Merlie Savellano to emerge victorious in the women's division.

Achas and Lazaro downed Mendoza and Noli Santos in the finals, while Dar Juan and Savellano defeated Loida Ito and Ramos.

Other pairs in the men's division were Marconi Calindas and Edwin Montoya, Macoi Aguda and Ariel Mariano, and Glenn Buultjens and Raj Jayalal, while the women's were composed of Kim and Cristy Villaflor, Peraja and Annette Quiambao, and Janis Parcon and Nimfa Santos.

(Saipan Tribune)

NMBF invites members for Saturday Open

By Jon Perez
Reporter
Saipan Tribune

Northern Marianas Badminton Federation is inviting its members to join them for today's third day of its Saturday mini tournament from 8am to 11am at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The Badminton Weekend Open began on Feb. 9 and is one of NMBF's programs for 2008 to promote the sport, establish camaraderie among its members, and improved the level of competition among the players.

NMBF members who want to join are paired up in a blind draw, knockout match format. The events played are in men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles.

Last week, the mixed doubles pair of Hapi Gabriel and Marlene Peraja defeated the duo of Diane Dar Juan and Lito Mendoza, 16-21, 21-18, 21-14, to claim the week’s bragging rights.

Only two courts are being used for the mini-tournament with the other four reserved for those players who don't want to join the games.

Last Feb. 9, Ryan Achas and Jojo Lazaro won the men’s doubles, while Dar Juan teamed up with Merlie Savellano to emerge victorious in the women’s division.

Sign up is ongoing for Saturday's mix doubles event. The entrance fee is $3.00 per player. For more information, get in touch with NMBF secretary Hapi Gabriel or Juliet Ramos.

NMBF is also thanking JET Holdings, Jeanine Beauty Salon, Manic Inn, Reliance Construction, Traders Insurance, SaipanCell, LabTech, Makeover Beauty Salon, Trends Beauty Salon, Genoveva’s Hair Power, Inc., Wear-a-Marconi, Apex Remittance, Vargas Construction, Cielo’s Jewelry Creations, Pacific Trading Co., and ESolutions, Inc. that donated raffle prizes that were given away during the induction party on Feb. 16.

NMBF is also extending their appreciation to PTI, Traders Insurance, LabTech, Pure H20, Pacific Marine, Sun Palace, Shirley’s Coffee Shop, Salon de Manila, Tan Holdings, SaipanCell, BME & Sons Construction, Tropex Garden, and L&M Enterprises that sponsored squads in the inaugural Mixed Team Tournament last year.

The NMBF Mixed Team Tournament was held in cooperation with Admaran International, Coral Ocean Point, Jollibee, Macatangay Dermhealth Saipan, Micronesian Brokers Inc., Truong’s Vietnamese Restaurant, Vargas Construction, EI Freight Micronesia, Inc., Manic Inn, and Elite Printing.