Guam’s ‘Estorian Inalahan’ out, tours planned

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2011 12:00AM BY ZITA TAITANO - Marianas Variety

HAGÅTÑA — For years, Dr. Judy Selk Flores had wanted to contribute back to the community, especially her home village. All that is now a reality with the publication of her book, “Estorian Inalahan.”

A book-launching ceremony was held recently at the Lujan House in Hagåtña for Flores’ book. Friends, family members and residents of Inalahan gathered to celebrate with her.

Flores said her book started with her master’s thesis, which she based on the arts and the culture of Guam back in 1995. She continued with the theme as she worked on her Ph.D. But getting everything together for the book wasn’t easy, especially when it came to cost.

“The Guam Preservation Trust helped me through those years with a very generous grant, but to get it published is just so expensive. This year I was able to get funding from the Spanish Program for Cultural Cooperation from the Spanish government which gives grants to document the Spanish era in the Pacific,” she said.

Although the book contains information about the history of Guam and the Chamorro people, Flores focused on Inalahan and the people.

“One of the things that fascinated me was the village of Pa’a which was wiped out,” she said.

In her studies, she discovered that the chief of Pa’a at the time was Choco, a man from China who, according to her book, was cast ashore and lived among the villagers for 20 years. Records indicate he lived in Inalahan when Padre Luis San Vitores arrived on Guam. Choco was reportedly known to be influential with the Chamorros in going against the Spanish.

She also learned another important piece of information about Pa’a village.

“What I found through talking with archaeologists is that the ancient village of Pa’a is where my house is now and that was really exciting,” she said.

The site is along the beach. There is a lot nearby set aside for an archaeological field school.

Stories

Other items featured are stories she heard while growing up in the village including Pale Jesus Baza Duenas who was tortured and beheaded by the Japanese for hiding George Tweed, a sailor who kept out of sight for nearly two years thanks to several Chamorros like Pale Duenas. Tweed managed to escape just before the liberation of the island occurred.

The book also contains stories of families including the Flores, Leon Guerrero and San Nicolas families.

In the meantime, Flores admits she isn’t done with her projects just yet.

“From this book, I’m working on opening a museum in one of the historic houses in Inalahan. We want to develop San Jose Street as a tourist spot. They already have the paintings there from last summer,” she said, referring to murals on the historic homes in the main street of the village.

Additionally, Flores will also be working with tour agents to bring tourists down south to walk around some of the historic homes.

“Estorian Inalahan” is on sale for $39 at Framed Etc. Call 477-7873 for more information. The store is located in Anigua on the ground floor of the New Marina Hotel just off Marine Corps Drive.

Chamorro-English Children's Book Written And Illustrated On Guam

GUAM - Christine Restuvog is a mother of three who authored and published her first children's book out of her Yona home.

The Mannge' Manhoben is a children's book written in both Chamorro and English. The author ...freelance writer, Chrisine Restuvog Quinata who says this is the first English-Chamorro children's book series written and illustrated in Guam.

Quinata based the characters in the book on her own three children, Isa, Mariana and Kin. She says that her children speak more Chamorro than she does and thinks it's great because it's important that her children know their culture.

Quinta says, "The importance of the book is that we wanted it to be fun, but we wanted to make sure that the Chamorro language was in there so we can keep the Chamorro language alive."

Kids learn Chamorro because throughout the book there are Chamorro words mixed into sentences like this one..."This is my che'lu Kin, a nickname for Joaquin. Che'lu means brother or sister in Chamorro. Kin is my che'lu."

Quinata's explains her eureka moment, "Gosh, it happened a year ago and so I never really acted on it. I watch a lot of cartoons with my kids. They have really unique and dynamic shows, but nothing that really relates to my kids and their culture."

"It's also an environmentally friendly book. This is printed on recycled duplex board with soybean ink. So it's safe for the kids, safe for the environment."

Quinata says there will be more books to come where each child goes on their own adventure learning about the Chamorro culture and way of life.

The book can be purchased at Bestsellers at GPO and Micronesia Mall, The Buzz Cafe, Ben Franklin Crafts and The Piazza in Hagatna.

WRITTEN BY MICHAEL RUDOLPH, GUAM NEWS WATCH REPORTER

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2010

Heilala Tangitangi ‘o Salote Pilolevu

‘ATENISI LAUNCHES NEW PRESS AND BOOK HONOURING PRINCESS PILOLEVU
www.pacmediawatch.aut.ac.nz

By Josephine Latu, Pacific Media Watch

AUCKLAND (Pacific Media Watch): Tongans gathered at the University of Auckland’s Fale Pasifika today to celebrate the launching of a new book by Professor ‘Ilaisa Futa Helu entitled Heilala Tangitangi ‘o Salote Pilolevu.

The book studies 23 Tongan compositions - some by the late Queen Salote – and was published in honour of the King’s sister, Princess Pilolevu Tuita.

The event also doubled as the official opening of the fledgling company that printed the book, ‘Atenisi Press.

‘Atenisi representative Palupula Sailosi presented a copy of the book to Princess Pilolevu’s daughter, Lupepau'u, as guest of honour.

Commending Helu on the achievement, she said: “It is by no means a small feat to dwell and analyse on what is hidden in the composition in tis book, especially by those by her majesty Queen Salote.”

The title translates loosely as “Weeping blossoms for Salote Pilolevu: An analysis of songs, poetry and love songs”.

Although Helu was unable to attend the launch, his appreciation was conveyed in a letter to the audience. This was read out by senior education lecturer Dr Linita Manu’atu, of AUT University.
Helu’s son Niulala also spoke as an agent of ‘Atenisi Press.

Niulala said ‘Atenisi Press planned to provide an equal opportunity for any Tongan to publish his or her work.

The press will also be able to produce local material that readers would not be able to find elsewhere.

He said the idea originally emerged as a way for ‘Atenisi University to make some extra income.

The independent educational institution, founded by his father in 1963, continues to struggle financially.

Although ‘Atenisi has traditionally been snubbed by Tonga’s elite classes, the press project was ultimately backed by a welcome donation from Princess Pilolevu.

Currently, works are being printed in Hong Kong, but edited in Tonga and New Zealand by Siaosi ‘Ilaiu and Wendy Pond.

Dr Manu’atu welcomed the publication of Helu’s book in the Tongan language, and hailed the ‘Atenisi Press plans to print in Tongan as well as English.

She said this enabled Tongans to access their own histories and literature in their native tongue.

“If the Tongan language cannot be used in print culture, then we have a long way to go,” she said.

Other works by Helu include Art of the community – The people’s art and critical essays.

He is currently working on Ko e Mo’ui faka-Tonga, about the lives and customs Tongans in their homeland and abroad.

Josephine Latu is a Masters in Communication Studies student at AUT University who is attached to the Pacific Media Centre as contributing editor for Pacific Media Watch.