Local Family Launches ‘Learn Chamorro’ Program

TUESDAY, 01 NOVEMBER 2011 01:24 BY JANELA BUHAIN CARRERA | VARIETY NEWS STAFF

Troy Aguon spent 13 years in Las Vegas, Nev., not knowing how to speak Chamorro, the language of his home island.

Troy Aguon talks about the “Learn Chamorro” program during his address to the Rotary Club of Northern Guam yesterday at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Photo by David Castro

Stumped by this, he set out to learn the “dying language” to revive it and pass it on to his children. He then moved back to Guam about 13 years ago and began his endeavor.

He visited the University of Guam and local bookstores, searching high and low to find every available kid-friendly tutorial for his children to learn Chamorro, but to no avail.

“There was none; it didn’t exist,” Aguon told Rotary Club of Northern Guam members during a meeting yesterday at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.

“They had other books, but they were too in-depth and too formal.”

Because of this, Aguon, along with his wife and a few friends, has decided to embark on a journey to introduce educational materials that will encourage children and the general public to learn Guam’s native language.

Aguon is on a mission to get every single word in the dictionary translated into Chamorro within three years. He has launched a website, learnchamorro.com, which aims to teach Chamorro to anyone wishing to learn in a fun and friendly environment.

He has also produced an educational DVD with similar content as the website for $20. The price for the DVD, which is a “kid’s edition,” he said, is to cover the cost of producing the DVD, among other expenses. He also noted that any excess funds from DVD sales will go directly back to his cause. While the website is free of charge, Aguon said the DVDs can be purchased as a gift or for collection.

“It breaks my heart to know that you have to pay for something that’s dying right now,” he said. “So I’m going to do it myself and I’m going to challenge everyone on Guam.”

The DVDs can be purchased at Bestseller Bookstores, Nunu Tree at the Agana Shopping Center, The Piazza Restaurant, the USO headquarters, Che’lu Store at Chamorro Village, Cost-U-Less in Tamuning, and Island Fresh in Ordot/Chalan Pågo.

Aguon has also partnered with the Marianas Variety to introduce a section today that will feature Chamorro words/phrases and their English translations.

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

Nikko hosting 4th Chamorro Conference

by Michele Catahay from KUAM.com

Guam - The 4th Chamorro Conference will kick off this week at the Nikko Hotel in Tumon. Representatives from throughout the region will be in attendance for the three-day event, which focuses on promoting Chamorro language and culture. Conference chair Zita Pangelinan says the goal of the event is to develop mission statements and plans of action for the cultural, economic, and community development of Chamorros.

She explained, "Anyone who's wanting to learn more about their history and wanting to learn and hear and listen to experts, listen to researchers. This is a collaborative effort and our whole purpose is to unite and create those vision statements."

The event runs from the 12th to the 14th. You can register at the door - prices are $60 for students, teachers, and seniors, and $100 for everyone else.

UOG's Chamorro Language Program, We Are Guahan, Peace Coalition host gubernatorial, senatorial forums

UOG's Chamorro Language Program, We Are Guahan, Peace Coalition host gubernatorial, senatorial forums

from PACIFIC DAILY NEWS • NEWS@GUAMPDN.COM • SEPTEMBER 10, 2010

The University of Guam Chamoru Language program, We are Guahan, and the Guahan Coalition for Peace and Justice will co-sponsor a series of Chamorro language senatorial forums on Oct. 19-21 and a gubernatorial Chamorro language forum featuring Sens. Eddie Baza Calvo and Ray Tenorio, discussing issues with former Gov. Carl T. C. Gutierrez and Sen. Frank Blas Aguon Jr. on Oct. 25.

All forums begin at 7p.m. and will be held in the University of Guam’s College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Lecture Hall.

The October 19 forum features:
• Sen. Judith Won Pat
• Sen. Tom Ada
• Sen. Benjamin Cruz
• Sen. Adolpho Palacios
• Steve Dierking
• Sen. Frank Blas Jr.,
• Chris Duenas
• Ray Cruz Haddock
• William Q. Sarmiento
• Vic Gaza

The Oct. 20 forum features:
• Sen. Tina R. Muna Barnes
• Corinna Gutierrez-Ludwig
• Joe S. San Agustin
• Trini Torres
• Sen. Tony Ada
• Mana Silva Taijeron
• Douglas Moylan
• Steve Guerrero
• William U. Taitague

The Oct. 21 forum features:
• Jonathan Diaz,
• Sarah Thomas-Nededog,
• Dennis Rodriguez Jr.
• Sen. Rory Respicio
• Sen. Judith Guthertz
• Sen. Telo Taitague
• Aline Yamashita
• John Benavente
• Shirley “Sam” Mabini
• Velma Harper

Chamoru Language Students enrolled in the fall semester classes at the University of Guam helped organize the event. Emcees for the forums are Ronald T. Laguana, Hope Alvarez Cristobal, Jose Q. Cruz, Miget Bevacqua, Ann Marie Arceo, Rufina Mendiola, Anthony “Malia” Ramirez, Irene Santos Quidachay, and Teresita Flores.

At the end of each forum, the audience will vote for their favorite candidates. All the candidates are being encouraged to have their supporters, family, friends, and party leaders in attendance as well as to post party banners in the lobby of the lecture hall.

Questions from the general public are being solicited and will be asked during the forums. All questions will be translated into Chamorro. Candidates are encouraged to speak in Chamorro, but will be allowed an interpreter/translator for the evening. “

To submit questions, e-mail ponedera53@yahoo.com.

Pa'a Taotao Tano' to conduct Chamorro language survey

Pa'a Taotao Tano' to conduct Chamorro language survey

Pacific Daily News • January 23, 2010

Pa'a Taotao Tano' has been awarded a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families-Administration for Native Americans Language Preservation grant for $98,000.

Pa'a Taotao Tano', or "way of life of the people of the land," is a nonprofit cultural organization that seeks to preserve, promote and perpetuate Chamorro culture and traditions. It will conduct the island's first islandwide Chamorro Language Assessment Survey in all 19 villages in a door-to-door campaign from now through June 30, according to a news release from the organization.

Survey participants must be of Chamorro ancestry and be at least age 10. The organization will conduct 6,500 surveys. The information gathered will be used to determine long-range goals to successfully implement future projects and programs in Guam to ensure the preservation and perpetuation of the Chamorro language for generations to come, the news release added.

Pa'a Tao Tao Tano to Conduct Assessment of Chamorro Language

Pa'a Tao Tao Tano to Conduct Assessment of Chamorro Language

Guam - The Pa'a Tao Tao Tano group spoke to the mayors council today about a Chamorro language assessment survey they will conduct with the help of village mayors.

Project director Nicole Calvo says that the survey will begin in mid-January by going door to door throughout the villages conducting the survey on chammorro households only. The survey will be paid for through a grant from the Administration for Native Americans. This survey will help them determine how many people can speak, understand, read and write in Chamorro. Calvo says it will help them get an accurate measure of the status of the Chammorro language so that they then better develop other programs to preserve and perpetuate Guam's native tongue.

Written by :
Clynt Ridgell

Calls to Decolonization

Call for ‘decolonization’ highlights Chamorro conference
Monday, 29 September 2008 00:00 By Emmanuel T. Erediano
Marianas Variety News Staff

A call to “decolonize” the minds of Marianas’ indigenous people and the islands’ political relationship with the U.S. highlighted the discussions in the 3rd Annual Chamorro Conference.

The two-day conference, which started on Friday at the Saipan World Resort, drew the participation of 148 Chamorros from Guam and 159 from the CNMI.

The speeches and discussions were in the Chamorro language, and the first day of the conference was devoted to issues concerning culture, education, youth and the elderly.

On the second day of the conference, still in Chamorro tounge, federal relations and “national identity” were tackled.

The CNMI presenters were Paz C. Younis, former Humanities Council executive director; former Covenant Party chairman Alvaro Santos; former Speaker Oscar C. Rasa; former Rep. Daniel O. Quitugua; Taotao Tano president Greg Cruz; Covenant negotiator Vicente N. Santos; and businessman Lorenzo DLG. Cabrera.

The guest speakers from Guam were former Sen. Hope Cristobal as well as Chamorro activists Ed Benavente and Michael L. Bevacqua,and Joe Garrido and Tony Sablan.

Rasa explained why he opposed the ratification of the Covenant while Cristobal talked about their “decolonization” efforts on Guam.

She said in order to be decolonized politically, “we need to decolonize the mind.”

The audience roared in applause as Cristobal gave an emotional speech.

Flashing her U.S. passport, Cristobal criticized every symbol printed on its cover.

In an interview later, Cristobal said one of the things people can do to decolonize their minds is to be aware of the symbols “that we use in our daily lives.”

She noted that the U.S., CNMI and Guam flags were mounted on the stage during the ceremony “as if they were equals.”

“We know in reality that that is not the case,” she said. “In reality, the case is that the CNMI and Guam have always been seen and treated by the U.S. as some separate entities, as anomalous things.”

America, she said, has been mistreating the indigenous people of the Marianas since 1901 when a federal court established that Guam was a possession of but not part of the U.S.

“The fact of the matter is that we have been treated like we are a bastard child — that is the reality,” she said.

Unlike the NMI, whose people voted to join the U.S., the Chamorros of Guam have not held an election on the political status they prefer.

Cristobal said what the Chamorros need to do as a people is to be clear about “how we transmit this kind of information to our children. And one of the first things we need to do is take away these symbols.”

She added, “There is no such thing as Uncle Sam. He is not my uncle. And so I don’t have that human-personal relationship with whoever that Uncle Sam is.”

Guam Chamorro activists Ed Benavente and Micheal Bevacqua as well as social worker Lisalinda Natividad said that due to their island’s political relationship with the U.S., the American military buildup is putting Guam in harm’s way.

Benavente said aside from the fear that Chamorros will soon become a marginalized population on their own island, the federal government’s pronouncement that Guam will be American “tip of the spear” is a cause for concern.

Bevacqua said he does not feel good about being treated like an object.

Natividad said the Chamorros on Guam are living in “a very toxic environment” due to military installations of the U.S.

It was through collaborative efforts and networking, particularly with the CNMI, that Guam have been able to pressure the U.S. government to start cleaning up their island, Natividad said.

New Chamorro Column in PDN

Titulon este na lucha
January 6, 2009
Pedro Onedera
Guam PDN

Frefresko ha' i risolusion siha sigun gi i tinituhon-hu ni' este na cho'cho', tåtkumu tinige' CHetton Galaide'. Ti bai hu sångan mås put i titulu pues bai hu nå'i i manmananaitai chånsa para u ma empåtte hinasso yan ideha siha gigon ma taitai håfa i tinige'-hu na kuentos. Sa' put i para u gaige este na lucha gi i uepsait, ohalåra mohon na este para fine'nana na respuestasion-ñiha gi i lichå-hu. Sigun gi chinaddek, kumeke'ilekña i licha, chetton i galaide' ya bai hu sotta ha guihi. Dikike' i galaide' ya ti siña ha upos i ribentasion. Humuhuyong i sakman gi i maktingan para guatu noskuåntos isla siha. Sa' put para bai hu fångge' put mismo Guam ha', ti bai hu na'huyong nomåsdi nisisåriu na asunto siha ya bai hu sotta ha' i tinige'-hu put Guam ya Guam ha' chi-ña.


Sigun gi i guinaiya-ku nu i fino'-hu yan i ketturå-hu, hu chule' este na chånsa para bai kontrebuyi i Pacific Daily News lucha para kada fine'nana yan mina'tres na Måttes kada mes sa' manmalago' para u ma fatta i fino' håya på'go. Åntes di på'go, ayu ha' a'annok gi i pappet di'åriu i yininga' Juan Malimanga yan gi fihon-ña gi parehu påhina, i che'cho' yininga' Frank Perez ni' chumetton yan fina' leksion put i lengguåhi ni' hagas chine'gue nu i Dibision i Fino' Chamoru yan Espesiåt Prugråma ginen i Sesteman Eskuelan Pupbleko. Hu tåtangnga na bai hu cho'gue este kontiempo put para u guaha otro na tinaitai para i pipbleko yan olaha' mohon na hågu i tumataitai i tinige'-hu, un nå'i animu gi taddong hinasso sa' put i nina'setben fino' håya guini gi iya Mari'ånas.

Siña ha' bai hu buska i finaloffan hagas na tiempo, annai hu rikumenda iya Pacific Daily News na u ma na'guaha maskeseha un lucha ha' gi simåna osino un biåhi gi i mes ni' ma tutuge' gi i fino' CHamoru kosaki u sedi i manmananaitai para u fanrespuesta ni' ginen editot na kåtta put håfakao na asunto. Ha chatge yu' un editot manehadora ya ha dulalak yu' huyong gi i efisinå-ña ya annai ha faisen yu' si David V. Crisostomo para bai hu cho'gue este na cho'cho' på'go na biåhi, umapurao yu' ya ensigidas hu disidi para bai hu cho'gue.

Sa' put ilek-hu na nuenuebu ha' i sakkan ya bula para bai hu fåna' gi manmamaila', ti bai hu na'ta'lo i hafa maloffan esta. Mistet, bai hu abiba iya Pacific Daily News sa' nuebu este na kinalamten para siha ya ma faisen mismo guåhu ni' gumuaiya yan tumungo' håfa mismo takhilo' guinaiya-ku, i fino' CHamoru.

Pues estague' i lichå-hu ni' para u fanemfotma, fanina, faniduka, yan siña ha' lokkue' para u fanensora, fanna'lebbok hinasso, yan fanestotba taotao. Achokha' taimanu, apurao yu' ya magof yu' mångge' un kontiempon lucha para i Pacific Daily News. Yanggen guaha asunto siha ni' malago' hao un tuka', i-mel yu'. Yanggen guaha umestototba hao, na'tungo' yu' lokkue'. Bai hu tituyi sinangån-mu, maolek pat ti maolek. Lao, gaige yu' guini para bai hu fångge' gi i fino'-hu ni' hu tungo' desdeki kinahulo'-hu. Ohalåra suinette!

Asistånten prufesot si Peter R. Onedera para Fino' CHamoru gi iya Unibetsedåt Guåhan na Kulehon Åtten Liberåt yan Inestudion Lina'la', Dibision Humanidåt. I-mel gui' giya onedera@uguam.uog.edu.

Sinangan-ta

Project aims to empower young poets
By Lacee A.C. Martinez
Pacific Daily News
October 13, 2008

As one of the organizers of the monthly Sinangån-ta poetry slams, Melvin Won Pat-Borja -- along with other members of the Sinangån-ta group -- has inspired many to breathe life into words they've penned on paper.

The poetry slams, held on the last Saturday of each month, draw youths and adults, teachers and students, and many others to perform their poems on stage.

Won Pat-Borja and crew will soon offer island teens the tools to develop their talents, with an outreach program that has the potential to grow award-winning poets.

Through a grant from the Guam Humanities Council, the group will launch "Sinangån-ta: The New Generation of Native Tongues" this month, offering teens free writing and performance workshops.

"It's really a dynamic program that has been proven in Hawaii and they've modeled it from there," said Kimberlee Kihleng, executive director of the Guam Humanities Council. "The council's most recent efforts is to reach our island youth. It's fabulous because it does that and you're teaching about language, writing and critical thinking, as well as creative arts. It's a win-win situation."

Creating a community of young critical thinkers, authors and writers is the big goal of the project, Won Pat-Borja said. He added it will also establish validity of their work in high school curriculum.

Part of the grant funding will go to publish a collection of the participants' work, which will be donated to the Guam Public School System.

"Our goal is to eventually have these young authors become part of the (literary) canon," he said. "A lot of the times, the canon consists of old, dead authors that kids don't care about. We're trying to empower these kids to know that their writing and their voice is important and it will be heard."

Now a Southern High School English teacher, Won Pat-Borja grew up writing music, gravitating toward rap and hip-hop styles.

"For me, personally, I like rhyming, I like rhythm," he said. "When I was in high school, I didn't always have access to recording equipment and it was hard for me to keep practicing my craft. But poetry -- it just seemed like it was always available. I could always write poems and you don't need music."'

Empowerment
The workshops will give teens a space to write without boundaries, drawing from their experiences first and eventually building on literary skills and learning and refining techniques.

"When (students) think of writing, they have this stereotype of what poetry is and what writing is," Won Pat-Borja says. "We're trying to say that is not necessarily 'Roses are red and violets are blue,' and Shakespeare. Whatever is going to allow you to deliver your message to a given audience, that's what we want. We try to focus on empowering the students to feel like their message is important, what they say is important. How they choose to say it, that's up to them."

While attending college in Hawaii, Won Pat-Borja became involved in the poetry slam scene, eventually competing in national competitions with his school. Before returning to Guam, he helped lay the foundation for the Hawaii chapter of the Youth Speaks outreach program, conducting poetry workshops for teens.

Youth Speaks Hawaii competed and won first place in this year's 11th annual International Poetry Slam Festival, held in Washington, D.C.

Slam event
The end of the Guam project will include a slam event, featuring at least two of the members of the award-winning Hawaii team.

On Guam, the poetry slam competitions recently were expanded to all-ages shows, luring youths to step up and compete sometimes with others twice their age, thanks to Won Pat-Borja and fellow organizers Kie Susuico and Fanai Castro.

Sinangån-ta, which means "our spoken words" in Chamorro, perpetuates the long tradition of oral history the island holds, encouraging others to speak up on cultural issues, Suscuico said.

Peter Onedera, who teaches Chamorro language at the University of Guam and is president of a literary Chamorro performance group, supports the project because it aims to continue the island's oral tradition and promote strong cultural awareness.

"On the culture aspect, there's a generation crying out saying, 'Listen, pay attention to us because we are faced with this.'" he said. "I saw that underlying message of Won Pat-Borja's presentation and it blew my mind. I support him 110 percent in his endeavors to teach self-expression to young people in poetry."