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CATHY LEE STYLE

CATHY’S MARKETPLACE

Week 5 Winner - Rovina Salanoa of Aiea

Rovina Salanoa says her living room looks so bad … she and her mother, Dorothea Chun-Ming, have not entertained or even invited people inside their Aiea home in 30 years.

“Whenever people come to visit my mom, she has them stay outside in the garage and talk,” Rovina laments. “Everything doesn’t match everything! Our sofa has a big rip in it and broken springs, but since we don’t often have people over, I haven’t tried to replace it.”

When she saw the ad for the $30,000 Style My Room contest in The Honolulu Advertiser, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to help her break the cycle. Here’s her chance: As the contest’s fifth weekly runner-up winner, Rovina will receive a $1000 gift certificate to buy new furniture courtesy of Primary Residential Mortgage, plus a $299 RSVPstyle Deluxe Style Kit to inspire her with fresh ideas.

“It’s our company philosophy to give back to the community—that’s what we do every day,” says Nelson Oyadomari, regional branch manager of Primary Residential Mortgage. “If the family can finally afford something nice so they can entertain, gosh, that would be wonderful.”

Nelson has seen more people come in during the last two and a half months than in all of 2008—first-time homebuyers, seniors looking to refinance an existing home, people borrowing against their equity to renovate.

“Interest rates have been in the 4.5 percent range. We haven’t seen them this low for a long time, so people who may have been sitting on the fence are now jumping at the opportunity,” he explains. “We’re very blessed to be busy. We’re blessed that people trust us to work in a timely manner. So if we can give something back, we are happy to do so.”

Rovina, who was widowed three years ago, wants to do something nice to the 40-year-old house so that her mother can enjoy it. Upon winning, she called her daughter, Karena Ann, and her sons Dexter and Conan to share the good news. “My babies shared my happiness with me!” she says.

“When I look around, I feel like nothing matches and the clutter just adds to my dilemma. It didn’t really matter what the prize was. Whatever it is, I’m just happy to win!”

What about you? Two more runner-up prizes are on the line—and don’t forget the $30,000 Grand Prize!