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JUNE 2015
Travel
It’s more fun in Historical Manila
Island pit masters share their passion
Paddling to the Pacific Games
Intramuros is home to many historical sites, such as the Ayuntamiento de Manila, which housed the Manila City Council before World War II and now houses the Bureau of Treasury.
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contents TRAVEL
Historical Manila
PROCREATE PRESENTS
Choosing the right breast pump
MUSIC
Tropic Trio
CALENDAR
Guide to June events
essence of guam
Traditional Chamoro instruments
staycation
Get lost at Santa Fe Hotel Guam
RESTAURANTS & food
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Barbecue
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Event photos
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out & about
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sports
Paddling toward the Pacific Games 23
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R&R Pacific is a lifestyle magazine that features the people, culture and activities that collectively make up Guam. We provide our readers a window into the different facets of Guam’s diverse community through vibrant photography and engaging articles.
www.facebook.com/rrpacificguam About the cover: Åsu Smokehouse owners and pit masters Sonny and Buddy Orsini have mastered the art of smoking meat to perfection, using only salt and aged wood. Åsu Smokehouse is located in the Chamorro Village food court. Photo by Joe Cruz
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2015
R&R Pacific/June
PUBLISHER
SALES MANAGER
Maureen N. Maratita
Annie San Nicolas
MANAGING EDITOR
ACCOUNT MANAGERS
Joedda Sanchez
ASSISTANT EDITOR
Samantha Guzman
ADMINISTRATION
Jackie Hanson Joy White
REPORTERS
Janice Castro, Jessica Leon Guerrero
Thomas Johnson
Carmelita McClellan and Vincent Leon Guerrero
Bryce Guerrero
MANAGING DIRECTOR
PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR
Marcos Fong
Rosanna Dacanay
SENIOR DESIGNER
Vikki Fong
Glimpses of Guam Inc. Mission Statement: To be a renowned communications company that connects people with information through creative, engaging and effective products.
Glimpses Publications include: Marianas Business Journal • Guam Business Magazine • R&R Pacific • Beach Road Magazine
R&R Pacific • June 2015 • Entire contents copyrighted 2015 by Glimpses of Guam, Inc. R&R Pacific is published monthly by Glimpses of Guam, Inc., 161 US Army Juan C. Fejeran St., Barrigada Heights, GU 96913. Telephone: (671) 649-0883, Fax: (671) 649-8883, Email: assist_editor@glimpsesofguam.com • All rights reserved. No material may be printed in part or in whole without written permission from the publisher.
Travel///Historical Manila
STORY AND PHOTOS BY Joy White
Manila is a multi-textured city; the different aspects of the city, sometimes polar opposites of each other, are stictched together in a quilt of diversities.
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Exploring Manila’s Intramuros by horse-drawn buggy.
Travel///Historical Manila
Inside the San Agustin Church, which is known as the oldest church in Manila. San Agustin Church reflects the architecture of the era in which it was built.
When it comes to traveling in the city of Manila, there are a variety of ways to get around, including affordable personal drivers, taxis and shuttles provided by the hotels (to shopping centers in particular). Traveling by tricyle or jeepney is often the cheapest option and is used by many locals. The city also has a transit system, the EDSA. Accomodation for all budgets and preferences is available. Considering the time it takes to travel, a hotel or resort near the airport may be preferred. Resorts World Manila is a few minutes away from the airport, if the conditions are right, and offers a variety of attractions, including restaurants specializing in varous cuisines, a shopping center, a pool, a movie theater, a casino with drinks and shows at its Bar 360. Manila is known for shopping. There are several iconic shopping malls, including Mall of Asia, Greenhills and Glorietta. Greenhills has various vendor stalls selling goods on multiple floors, each designated for certain products: bags, shoes, clothes, electronics, accessories, toys and so on. You’re likely to find anything you are interested in. However, it is good to go with a friend who speaks Tagalog because bargaining is widely practiced and is a living art form. Just keep in
mind, however, multiple makes of imitation bags are not admissible on planes when returning home. There also several restaurants. If you’re not too talented at bargaining and prefer a quieter shopping experience, Glorietta might be more your style. This mall boasts a lot of well-known shops, such as Forever 21, H&M, SM and others. In addition, hotels sometimes have their own malls or shopping centers at which to buy souvenirs or pasalubong. Some malls like the Mall of Asia, have entertainment as well, such as indoor iceskating rinks and rollercoasters. You can spend your entire vacation checking out each and every nook and cranny of even one shopping center, but the capital city has more to offer. One is food: Filipino street food, fine-dining, familiar chains and franchises — you name it. If you’re into street food, go with someone who speaks Tagalog or is familiar with the various dishes and their ingredients. To break up the succession of shopping and eating, visiting some of Manila’s historical sites will enrich your experience. A well-used seaport througout history, Manila has had contact with different cultures, including the Spanish and the Americans.
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(Clockwise from top) Originally a Spanish citadel, Fort Santiago now houses a shrine to Filipino National Hero Jose P. Rizal; the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial honors the fallen of World War II; the jeepney, a remnant of World War II, is a form of public transportation.
A list of things to do in Manila should include a stroll, bike ride or drive through Intramuros, the Walled City, which was the seat of government during the Spanish colonial period. Here you will see historical buildings and really get a sense of the city’s history. Intramuros is at the core of Manila and is its oldest district. Tour the Walled City in a horse-drawn buggy if you’re feeling daring. Any Filipino you will meet knows the story of Jose P. Rizal, and a trip to the city is deemed incomplete without a visit to Rizal Park and poorly documented if you don’t get a photo of yourself in front of Rizal’s memorial. The bronze and granite memorial is the site of his execution in 1896, which sparked the Philippine Revolution against the Spanish. The memorial sits across Manila Bay and is surrounded by open space and gardens perfect for picnics. The story of Rizal is further told at Fort Santiago. A citadel built by Spanish Conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, the fort now houses a shrine to Rizal and a replica of his prison cell. On the stone ground you will find gold-plated footprints tracing Rizal’s steps. Several blocks away is the San Agustin Church, a UNESCO Herit-
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age Site said to be the oldest church in Manila. It has been rebuilt and renovated over the years after damage from World War II, but it still depicts the architecture and design of the era it was built in. Intramuros is home to the city’s leading and historical educational institutions, so at certain times of the day, the narrow streets are crowded with students. Several other churches in the area have historical significance, as well. There are also a few small restaurants and food vendors to purchase from. And as you explore, the domed tower of the Manila Cathedral will forever be present in the sky. Some distance away from Intramuros is the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, where fallen soldiers are buried at the site of the former McKinley Fort. The marble markers that radiate from the memorial at the center are solemn but awe-inspiring at the same time. With some 17,206 graves, it has the largest number of graves of any cemetery for U.S. personnel killed during World War II. The memorial is near Makati, so after paying your respects, you can continue to shop and eat.
Music///Tropic Trio
Keeping it in the family STORY BY Joy White
The Quenga family is in no short supply of talent genes. Since 2000, Gus Quenga and his daughters, Mars and Maureen, have been performing island music as Tropic Trio. Music has always been a part of the family. Quenga and his wife are longtime musicians, with Quenga having performed with the band Kapuz and other bands and musicians over the years. The Quenga kids picked up on music and performing as they were growing up, helping set up gear and doing sound checks. “I would use all the kids as roadies,” he says. Then one day, his daughters surprised him with their talents. He came home from a performance one day, he says, and his daughter, Maureen, was excited to show him something. “I can never forget it. She picked up her uke and sang “Drop, Baby, Drop” and my other daughter joined in,” he says. Quenga invested in some equipment, including a guitar and drum machine, and he and his two daughters began to rehearse, sometimes until 2 a.m. It was an experience that brought the family together and soon they were performing live for an audience.
“Music is 100% of our life...I’m proud of my kids. I think I taught them well.” ~ Gus Quenga
Together, the family can play three-hour sets. Tropic Trio started playing at Outrigger Hotel, and then was picked up by the Westin Hotel, where they perform today. The family band also plays at various events and venues; recently they performed at the opening ceremony of the Guam International Marathon. They have also performed at Chamorro Village and community events. Tropic Trio has recorded three albums of their renditions of popular songs. They are now working on their fourth album and a Christmas album. During the day, the family offers music lessons, and at night they perform. “Music is 100% of our life,” Quenga says. “I’m proud of my kids. I think I taught them well.” Quenga plays the bass and drums, Maureen plays the ukulele and Mars plays the guitar. Vocals are done by Mars and Gus Quenga. Tropic Trio can be contacted for performances and for lessons at 6320540 or 456-4903. They can be found performing at Taste from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and at 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday. (From top): Mars Quenga, vocals and guitar; Maureen Quenga, ukulele; and Gus Quenga, bass and vocals, of Tropic Trio.
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JUNE
events June 5 and 6
June 13
Guam LIVE International Music Festival
Nissan 7.5k Flag Run
Location: Paseo Stadium, Hagåtña June 6
Guam Boonie Stomps: Ague Cove Level: Medium Time: Meet at Chamorro Village at 9 a.m. Length: Three hours for one mile Bring: 2 quarts water, swimsuit, snorkel gear, gloves, sunscreen, sunglasses, insect repellent, lunch and camera. Special conditions: A steep slope to ascend and a few rough rocky trail areas. Price: $2 for hikers over 12 years old June 6 and 7
9th Annual Agat Mango Festival June 11
16th Annual Creative Arts Exhibit and Silent Auction
Location: Nissan Upper Tumon Show time: 5 a.m. Go Time: 6 a.m. Pre-Race fee: $10 per person, $20 for relay race team of two Race day: $12 per person, $24 for relay race team of two Register at Hornet Sporting Goods, Nissan in Upper Tumon or Goody’s Sporting Goods in Upper Tumon For more information contact Nissan Guam at 647-7261. June 13
Guam Boonie Stomps: Ritidian to Falcona Beach Level: Difficult Time: Meet at Chamorro Village at 9 a.m. Length: 5 hours for 6 miles Bring: 4 quarts water, swimsuit, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent, lunch, and camera. Special conditions: No shade, some walking in water, a long walk in sand, and no pets. Price: $2 for hikers over 12 years old June 20
Time: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Location: Nissan Infinity Gallery in Upper Tumon
Compassionate Friends Guam ChapterWalk to Remember
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Location: Adelup Time: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Admission: Free Please bring a picture, banner, your child’s keepsakes, etc. to be displayed on the memory tables or to be held during the walk. For more information, email tcfguam@hotmail.com.
Guam Micronesia Island Fair Time: 12 noon to 9 p.m. Location: Gov. Joseph Flores Memorial Park Admission: Free
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featured event
June 27 and 28
12th Annual Dinanna Pa’a Taotao Tano Chamorro Dance Competition and Festival The theme for this year’s event is “Silebrasion I Manaina-ta – Celebrating our Elders.” In anticipation of Guam’s hosting of the 2016 Festival of Pacific Arts, Pa’a Taotao Tano’ will highlight the ancient era of the Chamorro culture. The festival will include an ancient era dance competition in which Chamorro dance groups from Guam, Saipan, Tinian, Rota, the U.S mainland and Japan will compete for the “Best in Ancient” award. Other cultural disciplines will be represented as well, including Chamorro arts and crafts, traditional healing and seafaring. The arts of Chamorro storytelling, singing and chanting will be featured, including showings of the Chamorro history play “Guahu Taotao Tano’” and performances of “I Ukon I MañainaTa – Chants and Songs from Our Elders” and traditional call-and-response, impromptu verse-making, known as Kantan Chamorrita. Chamorro food and drinks will be available throughout the weekend. LOCATION: University of Guam Calvo Fieldhouse Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. admission: $10 for adults; $5 for children For more information: Call 475-8266 or visit www.facebook.com/ paataotaotano.
June 27
Electric Island Festival Location: Paseo Stadium, Hagåtña Time: Doors open at 4 p.m. Admission: $55 – 18 years and older only. Bring a photo ID. For more information, visit www.electricislandfestival.com or www.facebook.com/eifestival.
EVENTSCALENDAR
JUNE sun
mon 1
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thu 4
fri 5 MOVIES
Entourage Insidious Chapter 3 Spy • Guam LIVE International Music Festival • 9th Annual Agat Mango Festival
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11 • 16th Annual Creative Arts Exhibit and Silent Auction
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12 MOVIES
Jurassic World
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Inside Out Dope Infinitely Polar Bear Manglehorn
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Father’s Day
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Ted 2 Max Big Game
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sat 6 • Guam LIVE International Music Festival • Guam Boonie Stomps: Ague Cove • 9th Annual Agat Mango Festival • Cantate’s 2015 Pacific Summer Music Festival rehearsals (through June 14)
13 • Nissan 7.5k Flag Run • Guam Boonie Stomps: Ritidian to Falcona Beach
20 • Guam Boonie Stomps: Libugon to Fonte River • Compassionate Friends Guam Chapter - Walk to Remember
27 • Guam Boonie Stomps: Asiga Caves • 12th Annual Dinanna Pa’a Taotao Tano Chamorro Dance Competition and Festival
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• 12th Annual Dinanna Pa’a Taotao Tano Chamorro Dance Competition and Festival
FEATURED MOVIE June 12
Jurassic World Directed by: Colin Trevorrow Starring: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Vincent D’Onofrio, Ty Simpkins, Nick Robinson, Irrfan Khan and B.D. Wong
After 10 years in operation, Jurassic World, a theme park featuring live dinosaurs created by modern science, is experiencing a decline in the number of visitors. In order to renew interest in the park, scientists are pressured into creating a genetically-engineered hybrid dinosaur to offer a new attraction. The experiment backfires and Jurassic World staff is left to contain the dangerous hybrid before it’s too late. *Event times and dates may change without notice.
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Essence of Guam///Traditional music
Music of the past
Traditional music making a comeback STORY BY Joy White PHOTOS COURTESY OF Joe Quinata
The belembaotuyan, or bilembaotuyan, is on its way to being revitalized in the Guam community. The belembaotuyan is a onestringed instrument that has been played and enjoyed on the island for more than one hundred years. Delores Taitano Quinata has played the instrument since 1992 and is working to teach others how to play and make the instrument. The instrument is made from the branch of the hibiscus tree, or pago tree, which is stripped of its bark, dried and shaped so that one side is flat. A metal wire is strung from one end of the branch to the other into a bow. A hollow gourd with both ends cut off is fixed onto the middle of the instrument. The gourd is used for its medicinal properties. A short stick is used to strum the string, like a bow. The sound of the instrument is created by both the string and the gourd, which rests against the musician’s abdomen. The origin of the instrument is unknown. One theory is that it was brought to the island by seafarers, while another theory is that it was most likely brought to the island by Spanish galleons traveling through the various islands and continents trading goods. Similar instruments can be found in other continents, such as South America and Africa. Quinata says she remembers the instrument during her youth, but didn’t get involved with it until her college days, when Judy Flores, with the Guam Council of the Arts and Humanities Agency was a guest speaker in one of her classes. Flores told the class about the instrument and that the organization had an apprenticeship program for anyone interested in learning cultural arts from masters. She became an apprentice under belembaotuyan master Jesus Crisostomo, learning how to construct and play the instrument. Quinata organizes workshops to teach others how to play and plans to showcase the instrument in the 2016 Festival of the Pacific Arts, which will be hosted on Guam. Ideally, Quinata would like to see the instrument used by local musicians, possibly in accompaniment with other instruments or as part of cultural performances and dances. Playing the belembaotuyan is a way for Quinata to help pass on a tradition many people have forgotten. Although many know about the instrument, the belembaotuyan is often heard or played in public. A video of Quinata playing the belembaotuyan accompanied by a guitar can be seen on YouTube.
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Special Feature///Staycations
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Special Feature///Staycations
Get lost at Santa Fe Hotel Guam Story and photos by Bryce Guerrero
The Hotel Santa Fe, sitting tranquilly on Hagåtña Bay’s sands, presents characteristics that set it apart from other hotels on island. The hotel’s architectural design reflects the influence of Guam’s Spanish heritage, and with a color scheme and architecture reminiscent of a hacienda, the hotel captures visitors’ attention at first sight. The hotel is a staycation site that offers all of the escapism without being too faraway. Along with its observable qualities, the Santa Fe holds the distinction of being the only locally owned and operated beachfront hotel on island. Opened in 1997, it has a total of 105 rooms with various features. Visitors can escape the island’s sweltering heat by kicking back in one of these refreshingly chilled rooms, of which four options are available: mountain view, garden view, ocean view and ocean front – all offering a wide range of amenities. When the twilight hour nears, occupants can head down to the waterfront for a front row seat to the world’s best sunset. With toes in the sand drinks are readily on hand at The Grille at Santa Fe. The bar and restaurant are mere feet from where the water meets the sand. The open atmosphere allows guests to feel the cool ocean breeze as they partake of the restaurants delicious menu items, as the music of the ocean plays an ambient serenade in the background. Some of the customer favorites at The Grille are its burgers, sandwiches, salads and pastas. Guests can reserve space at The Grille to have memorable fundraisers or special events. For those less inclined to salt and sea life, the Santa Fe’s pool makes a more than adequate substitute, providing an oceanfront pool and Jacuzzi. The hotel’s pool party packages are a local favorite. The in-house mini mart keeps everything on hand, so guests getting away for a staycation really wouldn’t need to leave the hotel to purchase items they might need. To complete the rest and relaxation experience the hotel offers, occupants can rub away their kinks (and worries) at the in-house massage center, which implements hot stone, deep tissue, Swedish and myofascial release techniques. The Santa Fe’s room rates start at $75, with special monthly promotions. Online check-in is available at the hotel’s website, or interested parties can call the 24-hour front desk. The Grille at Santa Fe is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and features live entertainment on a nightly basis.
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Restaurant & Food///Barbecue
STORY BY Bryce Guerrero PHOTOS BY Joe Cruz and Bryce Guerrero
As one of Guam’s staples, barbecue as a business on Guam might be a little overcooked. Being one of the main dishes at parties and even daily meals for the average local family, it’s easy to dismiss the viability of barbecue as business. But these heavy hitters are stepping up the quality of the island’s favorite fare.
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(From left) Vantike Sutak, smoking apprentice, and Åsu Smokehouse owners and pit masters Sonny and Buddy Orsini show off a rack of fresh-out-of-the smoker brisket.
Barbecued food is one of the main dishes at parties and even constitutes daily meals for the average local family, and it’s easy to dismiss the viability of barbecue as a business. But some local chefs are taking their passion to the next level. A veteran in the industry, Kris BBQ has been serving customers for 10 years. It operates during the morning hours at the Dededo Flea Market and on Wednesday nights at Chamorro Village. At the latter, its chicken and pork kebabs are customer favorites, often served with corn on the cob, pancit and rice. Kris BBQ has two service locations on opposite ends of Chamorro Village to better accommodate the Wednesday night rush. With three service lines, the barbecue eatery sees heavy traffic through the night, largely composed of tourists. Albert Sanga Jr., manager for the business, says his father started Kris BBQ. Having grown up with the business, Sanga has appreciated the experience, specifically at Chamorro Village. “You have your [businesses] that are here every day, and you
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have us that pop up every Wednesday, and it’s good. It’s a people business,” he says. A next-door neighbor to Kris BBQ, Åsu Steakhouse treats its barbecue as a science. Sonny Orsini, along with his brother, Buddy, decided to open a barbecue place that does things a bit differently from most barbecue businesses on Guam. “The big difference is we actually smoke all our meats in oneton smokers for many, many hours,” Sonny says. The multiple award-winning provider of certified Angus beef operates shifts throughout the day to ensure prime smoking of its meats. Åsu shies away from fuels and even electricity, making everything by hand. Its meats are not marinated, but dusted with a rub, the base of which is locally harvested sea salt from Guam’s shores. Åsu Smokehouse operates seven days a week 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with the exception being Wednesdays when it operates 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Restaurant & Food///Barbecue
(Top) Åsu Smokehouse owner and pit master Sonny Orsini prepares a rack of brisket, the shop’s bestselling item. (Below) Kris BBQ offers barbecue favorites at the Wednesday night market at the Chamorro Village.
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OUT&ABOUT
out & about
Photos courtesy of United Airlines
United Airlines held its 10th Annual Plane Pull event on April 25.
Photos by Joy White
Animun Tasi on May 9 held a traditional blessing for two newly purchased outrigger canoes, dubbed Puntan and Fu’una.
Photo courtesy of Guam Community College
The Guam Community College English Department held an “On Art in Research” showcase on April 28 and 29.
SEND US YOUR PHOTOS! TO SUBMIT YOUR PHOTOS FOR OUT & ABOUT, EMAIL HIGH-RES PHOTOs to: rrpacificguam@gmail.com
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PLEASE INCLUDE: - CAPTIONS (NAMES, DATE, EVENT NAME AND LOCATION) - YOUR NAME AND VILLAGE
OUT&ABOUT
Photos submitted by Islandtech Photography
The University of Guam’s Seeking Creative Innovative Otaku organization hosted the SCIO-Maynia convention on May 9 at the University of Guam student center.
Photos submitted by Paul-Myer Basilio
The University of Guam held its Film Festival Artist Appreciation Night on April 17 at Tapanade.
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OUT&ABOUT
Photos by Vikki Fong
The opening of “Solace,” an art exhibit by Rubyjane Buhain-Redila in honor of mothers, daughters and victims of violence and human sex trafficking, was held on May 1 at the CAHA Art Gallery in Hagåtña. The exhibit also features other works by local artists.
Photos courtesy of UOGFF
The University of Guam Film Festival was held on April 18 at the University of Guam.
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Sports///Paddling
Paddling toward the Pacific Games STORY AND PHOTOS BY Joy White
Animun Tasi paddling team is preparing to send some of its members to compete in the canoeing category of the 2015 Pacific Games in Papua New Guinea in July. The Pacific Games are held every four years, one year before the Olympics. More than 20 countries will compete in some 28 sports. “It’s an honor to make the tryouts and be a representative of the sport and the island I love. I have a lot of pride in our island and our sport,” says Nikki Murphy of Animun Tasi. Murphy competed in the Pacific Games in 1999, the only year Guam’s paddling team medaled in the sport, with the women’s paddling team bringing home a bronze medal. Murphy, along with Rosemarie Camacho, Kamaka Moylan, Fran Taman, Odessa Martinez, Thelma Soriano, Tom Mendiola and Art Taimanglo of Animun Tasi, and other paddlers from around the island will be competing in Team Guam. There will be a men’s and women’s division for canoeing. Team Guam is made up of all-star athletes selected from tryouts to qualify for the team. Murphy has been paddling since 1997. She has also represented Guam in the Micro Cup. She says she is lucky to be a part of Animun Tasi, which has experienced paddlers, some of which have more than 10 years of experience. “The sport is my love,” she says. The paddling team will also be using a traditional chant at the Pacific Games, a first for the team. Guam hosted the Micro Cup in October. “We did everything we could to make it big and fabulous,” Murphy says. Animun Tasi was able to raise enough funds to purchase two new outrigger canoes, Puntan and Fu’una, which were blessed on May 9.
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