AS part of “Honor a Rotarian” Day, David “Uncle Dave” Mangarero Sablan was honored by his fellow Rotarians on Tuesday, July 25, for his commitment to the ideals of the Rotary Club of Saipan.
According to the club’s new president, Irene Holl, Sablan “truly deserves this tribute.”
“He has served the CNMI with honor and distinction as a business leader, a community leader, and in numerous appointed positions for both the local and federal governments,” Holl said.
Sablan is the charter president of the Rotary Club of Saipan and served as president for two terms.
Sablan was 12 years old when World War II broke out on Saipan.
He is the son of Elias Sablan, the first post-war mayor of Saipan.
Uncle Dave was employed at Atkins Kroll, Bank of Hawaii, and was an economic consultant for the CNMI Legislature. He also served as the special assistant to the governor for planning and budget during the administration of Gov. Lorenzo I. Deleon Guerrero, and is a former CEO/president of Microl Corp., Tan Holdings executive, and board chair of the Marianas Visitors Authority.
In her remarks, his daughter, Vicky Coleman, said many community members have asked her what her father’s secret to success and long life is.
Uncle Dave is 91 years old.
Coleman said, in jest, that despite her father eating pancakes and waffles for breakfast, rice at lunch and dinner, and ice cream “nearly every night,” she has no idea how he does it either.
But she added that her father is a very active man and still walks to his office on the second floor of his home, climbing a set of stairs “at least 20 times a day.”
She said her father continues to have a jovial and happy attitude toward life, and is a staunch advocate for public health, promoting peace, growing the local economy, and supporting education.
“He constantly tries to cheer people up, and he wants to make them happy,” Coleman said.
