CNMI to host ITF J30 tourney in May

CNMI to host ITF J30 tourney in May

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CNMI to host ITF J30 tourney in May

The CNMI will be hosting an ITF J30 tournament anew from May 27 to June 2 at the Pacific Islands Club Saipan tennis courts.

Northern Mariana Islands Tennis Association president Jeff Race, who will serve as tourney director, said up-and-coming junior netters should take advantage of Saipan hosting an ITF J30 again.

“It’s great for our kids that we’ll be resuming our ITF world ranking event. Getting one’s first ITF points can be very tough and this is the best opportunity that they have to do that.”

The CNMI Sports Hall of Fame inductee and many time NMSA Coach of the Year said he’s expecting at least 50 players from off-island to take part in the ITF J30 tourney on Saipan. Off-island entries will come mainly from Korea and Japan with some tennis players from Australia, Thailand, Vietnam, and other Asian countries.

The last time an ITF J30 event was held on Saipan was in 2019. The local ITF J30 event is open for tennis players 18-and-under but not younger than 13 years old.

Race said since no junior netter from the CNMI currently has an ITF world ranking, local entries will have to take their chances via a wildcard entry. To this end, he’s encouraging those interested to sign up in the ITF website at tennis.com and register in the IPIN, which is the ITF’s online service that allows players competing to enter and withdraw from ITF tournaments.

“As the ITF J30 tournament director I will have a very limited number of main draw wildcard entry places. There are more wildcard entry places in the qualifying draw. Direct acceptance into this tournament is based on the player’s ITF world ranking. Currently there are no NMI players with a ranking so the only NMI players who get into the main draw may be by wildcard, but it helps to sign up early. So, if you want to participate then please complete the courses, get your IPIN and enter the tournament as soon as possible,” he said.

Race said players who do not meet the age eligibility requirements or are not in the tournament will participate as ball kids. “We will have some training sessions prior to the tournament,” he said.

An ITF J30 event is a junior event with 30 world ranking points for the winner. It is the entry level event for emerging tennis players who are trying to acquire world ranking points to be accepted on the professional tour or win a scholarship to a U.S. college.

Reference: Saipan Tribune

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Vocalists Reign Supreme in 2023 CNMI’s Got Talent

Vocalists Reign Supreme in 2023 CNMI’s Got Talent

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Vocalists Reign Supreme in 2023 CNMI’s Got Talent

Vocalists stole the spotlight at Bridge Capital LLC’s 13th Annual CNMI Got Talent, held at the Kensington Hotel in San Roque last Saturday.

Jessel Antonio, 30, and Francis Peter, 10, clinched first place in their respective categories, also securing the “Most Christmas” award and each taking home $3,000. Antonio’s rendition of “O Holy Night” and Peter’s medley of “Hallelujah” and “Auld Lang Syne” won over both the audience and judges in the adult and 16-and-under divisions.

Touched by her win, Antonio expressed gratitude, stating, “I feel so grateful and I will thank God for this opportunity. This prize is for our kids and our family.”

Peter, aiming to spread joy, shared, “Win or lose, it was for fun.”

In the 16-and-under category, Juliana Kai Ortiz won second runner-up and the Governor’s Choice Award. Cousins Kayden Manglona and Kassidy Garcia claimed first runner-up and the Best of Rota award.

For the adult 17-and-up category, Heaven Murphy secured first runner-up with an original composition, while acapella group DYNMX took second runner-up and the Founder’s Choice Award, moving Bridge Capital CEO John Baldwin emotionally.

Baldwin commended the night’s exceptional talent, stating, “Tonight’s show is the best ever… it never ceases to amaze me the amount of incredible talent that is available in the CNMI.”

Bridge Capital Vice President Bart Jackson expressed satisfaction with the event, welcoming performances from Rota and Tinian, emphasizing, “We had a great event, great performers, and a great crowd.”

The event surpassed expectations with 320 attendees, making it a memorable night for all involved.

Reference: Saipan Tribune

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Bridge Capital, JTM Saipan earn wins in Eagles caging

Bridge Capital, JTM Saipan earn wins in Eagles caging

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Bridge Capital, JTM Saipan earn wins in Eagles caging

Bridge Capital and JTM Saipan earned wins in the open division of the Inaugural SMEC-SMLEC Invitational Basketball Tournament 2023 last Thursday and Friday night at the Gualo Rai Basketball Court.

Bridge Capital steamrolled the 670 Rollers, 95-77, last Thursday, while JTM Saipan bounced back to win a close game against Choju, 85-79, last Friday.

Michael Aparte of Bridge Capital allowed his team to come out of the first quarter with a 10-point lead as he made 8 of the team’s 24 points. Bridge Capital still had the upper hand in the second quarter as the 670 Rollers made only 15 points due to Bridge Capital’s tight defense.

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CNMI artists shine in Bridge Capital competition

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CNMI artists shine in Bridge Capital competition

Bridge Capital LLC’s Art Competition this year not only highlighted the creativity and artistic skills of many of the CNMI’s homegrown artists, but also rewarded 13 artists whose work topped the tilt. The announcement of winners and presentation of prizes were made last Friday at the Flame Tree Arts Festival on the Civic Center Beach Park in Susupe.

Over $13,000 in total cash prizes were given to artists who topped the competition. For artists 12-and-up, each first place winner received a monetary prize of $1,500. Artists Jia Yi Li and Kim Jiyun tied for first place in the 12-17 age group category, and in the painting and drawing category, Joseph Weaver took first place. Vlad Melnik’s shot on one of the Northern Islands landed him first place in the photography category, and Gregorio Bacnis Jr.’s multimedia piece topped the open artwork category.

Coming in second place was Elaine Pagaduan, for the 12-17 age group category, Nhorleen Lilles in painting and drawing; Jeromalyn Santos in photography; and Veronica Arriola in open artwork. Each second place winner was also awarded $1,000.

For the 11-and-under category, Victoria Huang was first taking home $750, while Lydia Xian came in second, receiving $500. The Governor’s Choice Award and $1,000 went to Christian Apolonio.

Last but not the least, the Bridge Capital Community Choice award went to Von Derick Lauron.

Judges for the artwork included Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and first lady Wella Palacios, House Speaker Edmund Villagomez (Ind-Saipan), Rep. Marissa Flores (Ind-Saipan), and Mayor Ramon “RB” Camacho.

Bridge Capital principals and CEOs John Baldwin and Sean Scott shared their remarks after the prize presentation

“We have amazing talents here in the CNMI and we are happy to be a part of rewarding the artists,” shared Baldwin. He encouraged the artist to continue to work hard in their field.” Art is important, it expresses who we are.”

He also acknowledged their staff, “Our Bridge Capital staff is quite amazing. You know the work they put into the art show, Flame Tree and the CNMI got talent is really above and beyond the call of duty, you know, they work for Bridge, but they do this work because they want to, and because they want to help And because they also appreciate the community.”

Scott also took the opportunity to thank the audience.

“Thank you for supporting all the artists…We appreciate the opportunity to be involved in all this.” He also thanked the first lady and governor for their efforts and support as well.

“Ten years ago, Bridge Capital looked for a way in which we could participate in the [Flame Tree] Arts Festival And we came up with our own competition,” said Bridge Capital vice president Bart Johnson

These artworks will be displayed at the T-Galleria in Garapan from now until Aug. 6.

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Bridge Capital donates $1.5K to concert fundraiser

Bridge Capital donates $1.5K to concert fundraiser

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Bridge Capital donates $1.5K to concert fundraiser

Investment firm Bridge Capital is a silver sponsor of the upcoming Un Marianas Dinner Concert by donating $1,500 to the Music of the Marianas Association as part of its efforts to assist the Marianas during times of natural disaster.

The Un Marianas Dinner Concert, which will be held at the Aqua Resort Club poolside on July 14, is intended to raise typhoon relief funds for Rota and Guam, which were recently hit by the Category 4 storm Typhoon Mawar. MMA said that Bridge Capital’s donation helps the island musicians that have assembled for this cause get closer to their goal of sending construction-related supplies to Guam and Rota.

Tickets to the Un Marianas Dinner Concert are now being sold at $100 per person throughout the island as MMA volunteers are scouring the villages selling the tickets at the grassroots level.

According to MMA treasurer Gus Litulumar, the efforts being made are similar in nature to Guam’s efforts when Super Typhoon Yutu and Typhoon Soudelor hit the CNMI. “Their musicians held a concert in Guam and sent us a ton of tools and construction materials. We want to return the favor with a brotherly gesture of our own,” Litulumar said.

This marks the third occasion that Bridge Capital has bestowed their confidence in philanthropic organizations I’ve been involved with, according to Ross Manglona, resident executive of the Indigenous Affairs Office that is assisting MMA in the coordination efforts.

“It is important to note that Bridge Capital consistently gives back to our community in a multitude of forms, making them a responsible stakeholder and we must be cognizant of their efforts,” Manglona added.

Bart Jackson, Bridge Capital’s vice president and general manager, said their company has offices on Guam “and so we empathize with our colleagues there who are currently going through some rather inconvenient times alongside their families. With infrastructure still requiring major repair at this point, we are very happy to present a check in the amount of $1,500 to MMA and their volunteers as we too experienced similar calamities not so long ago.”

Manglona said the CNMI community is fortunate to have stakeholders like Jackson and his colleagues at Bridge Capital “that actively subscribe to our call for humanitarian assistance.”

He said tickets to the dinner concert are selling at a steady pace “giving me confidence that our fundraising efforts will be rather substantial, considering it’s a one-night event. I remain confident that our community will come out and support MMA’s fundraising endeavor as it’s in our island nature. There are early signs it will be a full house that evening at Aqua Resort. One such indicator is the number of early in-kind contributions already received from the private sector.” (PR)

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Bridge Capital is lone proposer in La Fiesta project

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Bridge Capital is lone proposer in La Fiesta project

ridge Capital LLC, which bought interest on the La Fiesta property in March 2007, is the only entity that responded to the government’s request for proposal involving the lease, development or revitalization of the vacant La Fiesta Mall in San Roque.

The government, however, has yet to disclose whether a contract will be awarded to Bridge Capital LLC or the RFP will be re-issued.

“Only Bridge Capital LLC responded to the RFP in question,” Herman S. Sablan, director of the Division of Procurement and Supply, told Saipan Tribune yesterday, in response to an Open Government Act request in connection with the result of RFP09-SOF-051.

Since the former La Fiesta Mall shut its doors in 2004, the building has become a wasteland, yet it costs the government at least $200,000 in annual lease payment to Bridge Capital LLC, a lending company.

Bridge Capital LLC is a different entity from Bridge Investment Group, which plans to operate a casino on Tinian. Bridge Capital LLC owned the now defunct Guam Greyhound Park racetrack.

Jon Anderson, loan officer for Bridge Capital LLC, yesterday said they have not received a formal notification from the government about the result of the RFP, although they already heard last week that they were the only one that submitted a proposal.

He said until they get a formal acknowledgement from the government, they wouldn’t be able to disclose their specific plan for La Fiesta.

Back in December 2007, there were stories from the community that Bridge Capital LLC may have a role in efforts to get gaming legalized on Saipan and a possible gambling operation at La Fiesta. Bridge Capital LLC was vague about it, saying they are interested in any opportunity that comes up.

In March 2007, Bridge Capital bought interest on the La Fiesta Mall property from the Japanese-owned Coco’s Lagoon Development. The CNMI government, which acquired the building in 2004, is now paying Bridge Capital about $200,000 a year for the lease of the idle property.

The Fitial administration earlier said it wants to make the former La Fiesta mall, located across Palms Resort in San Roque, “productive again.”

The RFP said special consideration will be given to proposals that will develop the La Fiesta property “into a promising and sustainable tourist attraction and entertainment complex,” and the lease, redevelopment and revitalization of the La Fiesta property includes upgrading and renovating all existing facilities within the commercial complex.

The deadline for submission was Feb. 27 but off island entities had until March 10 to submit their proposal.

At one point, La Fiesta housed the Commonwealth Utilities Corp., and was eyed as a site for the Pacific Gateway education project, which did not materialize. Last year, it was also proposed as a site for adult businesses because of its isolated location.

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