PHILIPSBURG:--- The Government of Sint Maarten is pleased to extend a heartfelt invitation to all residents and visitors to join in commemorating the 66th Annual St. Martin Day Celebration on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at the Jocelyn Arndell Festival Village.

St. Martin Day stands as a cherished symbol of unity, heritage, and shared identity — a tradition rooted in the visionary ideals of our founding fathers, Dr. Claude Wathey, Mr. Clem Labega, Mr. Felix Choisy, and Dr. Hubert Petit. Their legacy continues to inspire an unbreakable bond between the northern and southern sides of our island, united through culture, community, and kinship.

This year’s theme, “Sankofa — Learning from the past, to build for the future,” serves as a powerful reminder that our strength lies in honoring our history while forging a resilient and prosperous future together. St. Martin Day is a time to celebrate unity, and the spirit of Sweet St Martin Land, recognizing the values and shared experiences that bind us as one island people.

“St. Martin Day represents the very essence of who we are — one people, one island, one destiny. It is a time to look back with gratitude at the sacrifices and achievements that shaped our identity, and to look forward with purpose toward a future built on cooperation, respect, and mutual progress. Let us continue to strengthen the bond that unites both sides of our island and proudly celebrate the shared heritage that defines us as St. Martiners,” stated the Honorable Prime Minister Dr Luc Mercelina.

St. Martin Day will feature cultural presentations along with traditional activities, such as the “Ringing of the Joy Bells” and the “Wreath-laying Ceremony at the Bellevue Border Monument”. At 12 noon, the colorful SMaatn National Cultural Parade will take the route from Jose Lake Sr./John Cooper Ball Park and make its way to the Jocelyn Arndell Festival Village.

The Honorable Minister of Education Culture Youth & Sport, Melissa Gumbs shared, “St. Martin Day is a powerful reminder of who we are as a people — resilient, creative, and united by a shared history that continues to guide us forward. As we honor the vision of our forebearers, we embrace the wisdom of Sankofa — learning from our past to build a brighter, stronger future for our nation. In these times, it is through reflection, culture, and unity that we continue to shape the story of Sweet St. Maarten Land.”

At the conclusion of the SMaatn National Cultural Parade, dignitaries representing both sides of the island will make their Official Addresses at the Jocelyn Arndell Festival Village followed by the
Cultural Manifestation at 6:00 pm which features a number of local artists and local bands that goes until 11:45 pm.

Persons that are unable to attend in person are invited to visit the Facebook pages of the Department of Culture & the Government of Sint Maarten, for more updated details and to view the celebrations LIVE as they happen.

All residents and guests are encouraged to participate in the festivities, fly your Sint Maarten / St. Martin flags, come dressed in the colors of St. Martin, join in celebrating our identity with pride and joyful togetherness. Families, community groups, and cultural organizations are invited to join in showcasing our island’s vibrant cultural heritage. Let us come together to honor our past, celebrate our present, and build a united future for generations to come.

CAY HILL:--- On Saturday, October 25, 2025, St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) hosted its annual Women’s Health Day in collaboration with the Positive Foundation and the Elektralytes Foundation, which saw 150 women being screened for breast cancer. Attendees received free clinical breast exams, carried out by SMMC’s medical specialists and local General Practitioners. SMMC and the partnered foundations also provided vouchers for up to 100 free mammograms for uninsured women.
This year, SMMC’s Outpatient Gynecology Nurses Alisha Doyle-Dottin and Marisal Leyretana a medical history questionnaire for patients to answer before their examinations, which allowed physicians to assess patients more accurately. The questionnaire covered aspects such as family history of breast cancer, breast changes, and breast surgery. SMMC welcomed and applauded the nurses' initiative, as it had a positive impact on attendees' experience.
During the event, attendees made use of additional health screenings such as free blood pressure and blood glucose monitoring, carried out by SMMC’s Outpatient nurses and free HIV screenings by the St. Maarten AIDS Foundation. The Radiology Department also opened its doors to provide same-day mammograms and the opportunity to make follow-up appointments.
Upon exit, attendees partook in fun activities hosted by SMMC’s Social Committee, Guardian Group, and FLOW Eastern Caribbean, creating a day filled with awareness and positivity. The Positive, Elektralytes, and Still Beautiful Foundations also provided resources, moral support and encouragement to the attendees.
SMMC would like to thank the Positive, Elektralytes, and Still Beautiful Foundations, Guardian Group, SZV Social and Health Insurances, FLOW, St. Maarten AIDS Foundation, and American University of the Caribbean (AUC), as the event would not have been possible without their contributions and support.
Per the recommendations by the Dutch National Institute for Public Health, women over the age of 50, or otherwise indicated, should undergo a mammogram every two years. Mammograms are available year-round at SMMC’s Radiology Department, and appointments can be made by calling +1 (721) 543-1111 extension 1360.

PHILIPSBURG:---  The House of Parliament will sit in a Central Committee meeting on November 4, 2025.

The Central Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday at 10.00 hrs. in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg. Representatives of the Social Economic Council (SER) will be in attendance.

The agenda point is:

Presentation Annual Report 2024 – Social Economic Council (IS/206/2025-2026 dated October 21, 2025) 

Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations.

All persons visiting the House of Parliament must adhere to the house rules.

The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg. 

The parliamentary sessions will be carried live on Soualiga Headlines, via SXM GOV radio FM 107.9, via Pearl Radio FM 98.1, the audio via the internet www.sxmparliament.org, www.pearlfmradio.sx and www.youtube.com/c/SintMaartenParliament 

by Cdr. Bud Slabbaert

With age comes wisdom, unfortunately sometimes age just comes alone. Talking about wisdom. Did you know that the Sargassum seaweed offers a rich, underutilized source of compounds. Its cosmeceutical potential is gaining traction, especially for marine-based anti-aging and regenerative skincare innovations. It contains several potent anti-aging compounds like terpenoids that support skin health reduces signs of aging. Fucoxanthin has skin-brightening properties and supports skin elasticity.

Whatte yuh know? And you thought it was only a brown stinking nuisance that spoils the fun at the beach and the coastal livelihood. Yet, another marine-based innovation. First, hydrogen fuel generated from seawater. Now this. Sargassum is rich in unique bioactive compounds with proven applications in cosmetics, medicine, and wellness.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Caribbean will face the challenging massive influxes of sargassum seaweed again next season. It threatens tourism. All may seem quiet now. Thus, it is a good time to do some thinking and being prepared to turn an upcoming smelly crisis into a transformative opportunity. Does “When life gives you a lemon, make lemonade,” ring a bell? How about turning Caribbean seaweed into global skincare gold.

Think about it this way; we’re not just cleaning beaches from seaweed, we’re building a legacy of prosperity, wellness, and scientific excellence. Combining marine science and sustainable health tourism to position the Caribbean as a leader in marine-based anti-aging innovation.

Just think about taglines like “From Sea to Skin: Nature’s Anti-Aging Secret” or “Caribbean Gold, Where Wellness Meets the Waves”.

Economic diversification comes to mind. The global anti-aging skincare market is projected to reach US$ 88 billion by 2030. Marine-based and sustainable beauty is one of the fastest-growing segments. The potential revenue streams are product sales (imagine a Caribbean Gold Skincare line), licensing of extraction IP (Intellectual Property), cosmeceutical partnerships, and wellness tourism experiences. It supports Caribbean development as it creates jobs, cleans beaches, builds scientific capacity, and can empower youth. It’s a model for climate resilience and economic diversification.

Marine-based innovation in the Caribbean is often hindered by fragmented governance, limited R&D infrastructure, and weak collaboration between academia, industry, and policymakers. The solution lies in building regional innovation ecosystems, investing in marine science capacity, and adopting a “triple helix” model of cooperation fostering partnerships between universities, businesses, and government.

Let’s not forget brain drain of scientific talent to North America and Europe as a common barrier for development and innovation. There are hardly any youth programs in marine science or biotech in the region, let alone on individual islands. “Life’s tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late” - Benjamin Franklin. He should know. Franklin began inventing as a child and continued innovating throughout his life, creating many famous inventions between the ages of 11 and 78. So, let youth not age without gaining wisdom and perspective.

The Dominican Republic began exporting Sargassum to Finland in 2022, with an initial shipment of 100 truckloads. The algae are processed in Finland for use in cosmetics and the food industry. Regarding cosmetics, again amongst other for extracting anti-aging compounds. Barbados, St.Lucia and Trinidad & Tobago are actively collecting Sargassum, with exports primarily going to Europe and North America for, once again, amongst other cosmetic ingredients like anti-aging compounds and marine collagen. When something is repeated often it should become a lesson to be learned that the export potential is the emerging interest abroad for cosmetic and wellness applications.

What is all this diddle um diddle ay about ‘anti-aging’? Some people think: “We only have so many years to play hard to get. Time is running out!” Others believe that aging gracefully is just a polite way of saying you’re slowly falling apart with dignity. Either way, it creates a demand for solutions. In other words, there is a market for youth, beauty, and anti-wrinkling, powered in the Caribbean.     

Create products locally. Extracts can be used in serums, creams, masks, and emulsions.

Sargassum-derived compounds are generally biocompatible, non-toxic and well-tolerated. Flagship products could be branded with global appeal. ‘Ocean Renewal Serum’, a concentrated anti-aging elixir or ‘Marine Radiance Cream’, a daily moisturizer or purifying mask. The Caribbean harnesses the anti-aging power of Sargassum to create high-value skincare and regenerative health products. “Our formulations are rooted in Caribbean biodiversity and backed by green extraction science.” List as the blend of ingredients: Fucoidan, Fucoxanthin, Phlorotannin, Marine Terpenoids, and Alginate & Sterols.

The global wellness market is a US$ 5.6 trillion industry, with anti-aging and wellness tourism among its fastest-growing sectors. A new Eco-Tourism concept could integrate anti-aging: “Rejuvenate Naturally – The Caribbean’s First Anti-Aging Eco-Tourism Sanctuary”. Welcome to a new frontier in wellness travel, where longevity meets sustainability. Our Anti-Aging Eco-Tourism Sanctuary is a regenerative retreat nestled in the Caribbean, offering immersive experiences that harness the healing power of locally produced sargassum cosmetics and marine bio actives. This is not just a vacation; it’s a cellular reset. After tourists having visited the Caribbean and enjoyed the anti-aging wellness tourism concept, they should say “I’m not aging; I’m just becoming a classic vintage model.”

Let’s make the Caribbean the world’s destination for longevity and healing. A groundbreaking initiative can transform the region into a newly launched Sargassum Biocosmetics & Medicinal Innovation Hub where an environmental challenge is turned into a cosmetics formulation and regenerative resource. Where anti-aging power is a marine age-defense. Question is, who is going to break the ground?