Happy New Year! May the year 2009 bring you many blessings filled with much love, joy, peace, and happiness!

Pictured L-R: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivers his "I Have a Dream" speech, in Washington D.C., Aug. 28, 1963; and President-Elect Barack Obama takes the stage at Denver's Invesco Field.

Image source: AP Photos, abcnews.com

TO THE POINT: UOG’s Association for Childhood Education International is sponsoring an island-wide poster contest in recognition of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Celebration. The contest theme is Fulfilling the Dream. It is open to all school children in K-12 grades.


No person in the entire history of African America has made as great an impact on the nation as did Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. – a preacher, civil rights advocate, moral leader, idealist and realist.Since many young people had not yet been born during Dr. King’s lifetime, and may be too young to remember, it is our duty as a community of parents and educators to teach our children of the life and work of Dr. King.

In addition, Barack Obama, will be the nation’s first African American to be elected president of the United States. As America’s 44th president, the 47 year-old junior senator from Illinois now must bear the hopes of an entire race, live up to the expectations of an entire nation and lead the free world in a time of great uncertainty.

In recognition of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Celebration on January 19, 2009, the University of Guam School of Education student organization, Association for Childhood Education International (UOG-ACEI), is sponsoring an island-wide poster contest. The contest theme is Fulfilling the Dream. It is open to all public, private, and DODEA school children in K-12 grades. Posters must be submitted no later than Thursday, January 15, 2009 at UOG’s School of Education, second floor, between 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. See secretary Anita Palomo or contact her at 735-2440, atpalomo@uguam.uog.edu. Late entries will not be accepted.

The goal of the poster contest is to raise, enhance, and broaden awareness and knowledge levels of students about the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and about the significance and application of the major tenets of non-violence; and to look toward the future of the nation’s newest president, Barack Obama. The basic requirements for the poster include 9x12 inches (minimum size) to 12x18 inches (maximum size), any art medium, and no tracing. Criteria include technical skill, creativity, originality, theme adherence, aesthetics, and use of space. Students must include on the back of the poster their full name, age, grade, teacher, school, and contact number. The grade levels to be judged include Kindergarten to 2nd grade, 3rd to 5th grade, 6th to 8th grade, and 9th to 12th grade.

An exhibit of all posters will be displayed at the Agana Shopping Center beginning Saturday, January 17-19, 2009 and at UOG’s School of Education and RFK Library. Announcement of all winners will be January 19, 2009 at 12:00 p.m., Center Court, at the Agana Shopping Center.

ESL Presentation: Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera presented an ESL workshop titled, "Using Graphic Organizers to Empower English Language Learners," during the International Reading Association’s “Engaging English Language Learners in Literacy” Professional Development Day on October 11, 2008 at the Guam Marriott Resort and Spa. She received a certificate of appreciation from the organization in recognition of service and valuable contribution.

UOG Distinguished Service Award: Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera was honored with the University of Guam Alumni Association Distinguished Service Award for 2007 for her exceptional volunteer work. She was selected by a panel of four judges, including Speaker Judith Won Pat; Col. James Montague, Commander Air Guard; Al Almira, Comptroller, TakeCare Asia; and Cathleen Moore-Linn, UOG Director of Integrated Marketing and Communications. Other nominees included School of Education Associate Professors Dr. Marilyn Malloy Jackson and Dr. Catherine Stoicovy.

Members of the GPSS ELL/ESL Standards Cadre 2008 presented the Guam English Language Proficiency Standards at the University of Guam’s 21st Annual Regional Language Arts Conference held November 14 and 15 at the University of Guam and Holiday Resort & Spa. The theme of the conference was Reading and Writing Across the Content Areas: Empowering English Language Learners. The cadre’s presentation titled Guam English Language Proficiency Standards (GELPS) introduced the English Language Standards that were developed for social, intercultural, and instructional purposes; language arts; mathematics; science; and social studies. The standards were developed to address the needs of GPSS English Language Learners, close the achievement gap for ELLs, and help ELLs attain English proficiency, or do the same for CHamoru Language Standards. An introduction of the Enhanced Assessment Grant (EAG) Project was also introduced to demonstrate the close relationship between the Standards and the EAG.

Cadre members who presented were Rosa Salas Palomo, Project Director/Coordinator of the Guam ESL Certification Plus Project; Zander David Refilong, Program Coordinator; Gene Dydasco, Education Specialist with the Pacific Resources for Education and Learning (PREL); Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, ESL Teacher/Coordinator with the Guam Public School System (GPSS) & adjunct professor for the Language and Literacy, TESOL, and Instructional Technology Programs & Department of English and Applied Linguistics at the University of Guam; Keith Juarez, Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) teacher with GPSS; and Guadalupe (Faye) Camacho Kaible, school program consultant with GPSS. Among the audience members who attended the presentation were Maydelene C. Ganan-Flores and Risa Jade S. Miguel, administrative staff of the Micronesian Language Institute; Menang Diaz, GPSS State Program Officer; GPSS teachers Bobbie Manibusan, Dawn Maka, Cynthia Manibusan & Vina Johnson. Cadre members not pictured are Dr. Margo Gottlieb, LN494/G Instructor & Illinois Resource Center; Lucia C. Leon Guerrero, GPSS School Administrator; Chamoru teachers Teresita C. Flores, Cecilia C. Bermudes, Marilyn R. Perez, Roy M. Leon Guerrero, Jocelyn T.Santos, Rufina F. Mendiola; June E. Taitano from GPSS Special Education; Kirk S. Drygas from Project Hatsa; Dr. Jose Q. Cruz from the Guam Education Policy Board; GPSS ESL teachers, Lois Taitano Gumataotao, Lorena M. Montague, Priscilla C.T. Perez, Melissa R. Pablo, and Marife G. Fernandez.

Presentation: Undergraduate students enrolled in the EN100 Fundamentals of College English course completed the semester on December 2, 2008 with a presentation of their creative writing projects. The course is an integrated reading and writing course that prepares students for further English courses and further study at the University.

Pictured L-R front row: Pictured L-R front row: Francis Manuel, Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, and Michael Figuerres. Back row: Ikol Suda, Christiana Cruz, JovieAnn Quitugua, Maria Machie, Kristine Pabunan, Cheysser Rodriguez, and Keith Guerrero.

Language and Literacy Master of Education students enrolled in the ED643 Literacy Assessment course completed the semester on December 1, 2008 with a presentation of their online LiveText Portfolio and Diagnostic Case Report at the University of Guam’s School of Education Literacy Center. The course focuses on using a range of formal and informal assessment tools and methods to diagnose and assess individual learners’ reading and writing development, to guide instruction, and to involve the learner in self-assessment.

Pictured L-R: Lorna Gonzalez; Kate Pappano; Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, instructor; Lucille Linder; and Ceferino Duarosan Jr.

University of Guam School of Education professors presented at the university’s 21st Annual Regional Language Arts Conference held November 14 and 15 at the University of Guam and Holiday Resort & Spa. The theme of the conference was Reading and Writing Across the Content Areas: Empowering English Language Learners. The professors’ presentation titled Jumpstarting Reading Comprehension for English Language Learners introduced the reader’s schema and its importance in comprehending, learning, and remembering ideas in stories and text.

Pictured L-R: Dr. Kate Mastruserio Reynolds, conference keynote speaker and associate professor of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages in the departments of foreign languages and curriculum and instruction at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire; Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, Dr. Catherine Stoicovy, Dr. Kelle Murphy, and Professor Julie Fee (sitting) from the University of Guam.

Graduate students enrolled in ED638: Teaching with the Internet presented at the University of Guam’s 21st Annual Regional Language Arts Conference held November 14 and 15 at the University of Guam and Holiday Resort & Spa. The theme of the conference was Reading and Writing Across the Content Areas: Empowering English Language Learners. The students’ presentation titled Using Internet Tools to Enhance ESL Instruction explored web sites aimed at enhancing ESL and content area instruction, writing, collaboration, professional development, instructional technology, website designing, blogging, and assessment.

Pictured L-R: Paul Sekine; Ceferino Duarosan Jr.; Dr. Kate Mastruserio Reynolds, conference keynote speaker and associate professor of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages in the departments of foreign languages and curriculum and instruction at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire; Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, instructor; Kate Pappano; and Gregory Mamay.

Hafa Adai! It has been a pleasure sharing the various cultural poems from the anthology Our Native Daughters’ Reflection of Guam and Its People. Today marks the last day of sharing the poems, as we’ve finally reached Korasón Poem #57, the last poem contained in the anthology. In this poem, titled Delicious Pumpkin Treats, you’ll experience the virtual taste of our pumpkin treats of Buchi Buchi and pastet. I hope you’ll enjoy it! Si Yu’os Ma’ase’!

Delicious Pumpkin Treats

Buchi Buchi or pumpkin pastet* –
What’s the difference?
They’re both made almost the same way
And they taste so delicious –
I can’t even tell the difference.
Okay, so I can, but why should it matter?
The only difference is the way it’s cooked.
Buchi Buchi is fried pumpkin turnover
While regular pumpkin turnover is baked.
They’re both made of sweet dough and pumpkin filling
And it takes about an hour or so
To cook a dozen of them.
These are among my favorite deserts
And I’m sure if you try them you’ll agree with me
That they are delicious pumpkin treats!
Gof manngé!
© mnrivera and ltgumataotao

*pastet: turnover
*Gof manngé: Tastes very good.

Source: Our Native Daughters’ Reflection of Guam and Its People by Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera and Lois Taitano Gumataotao

Hafa Adai! As part of my commitment to continue to share cultural poems relating to our beautiful island of Guam and its people, here’s Korasón Poem #56 titled Ahu. Enjoy!

Ahu

One of my favorite desserts
Is the delicious ahu
Which is grated coconut boiled in sugar water.
It is one that will make your mouth water
As you smell the aroma of it being cooked.
With just one helping you’ll soon see
That you’ll find yourself
Coming back for some more to eat.
When going to a fiesta
There’s sure to be
That appetizing ahu for all to enjoy.
If you haven’t tried ahu yet
You’re missing out on this coconut soup treat
Because it’s one dessert that can’t be beat!
© mnrivera and ltgumataotao

Source: Our Native Daughters’ Reflection of Guam and Its People by Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera and Lois Taitano Gumataotao

Image source: http://www.guampedia.com/

Hafa Adai! As part of my commitment to continue to share cultural poems relating to our beautiful island of Guam and its people, here’s Korasón Poem #55 titled Carving. Enjoy!

Carving

Carving is a special art that one must be trained in
For it’s not easy to carve a coconut or a tool
Especially when dealing with sharp objects.

Carving a galaidé* is also no easy task
But the master carver knows
How to skillfully build it
Despite the difficulty.

Carving is indeed an art I appreciate
And one that is extraordinary
With the wondrous pieces one can create.
© mnrivera and ltgumataotao

* galaidé: canoe

Source: Our Native Daughters’ Reflection of Guam and Its People by Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera and Lois Taitano Gumataotao

Hafa Adai! As part of my commitment to continue to share cultural poems relating to our beautiful island of Guam and its people, here’s Korasón Poem #54 titled Ko’ko. Enjoy!

Ko’ko’

The Ko’ko’, Guam’s Territorial Bird,
Is an endangered species
Believe it or not.

It’s hard to imagine
That there aren’t that many that can be found
For I remember seeing them as a child.
I can recall
How the bird had a brown head, neck and eye stripe
With a near gray throat and upper breast.
It also had short, dark-colored wings
With brownish spots barred with white.
It possessed a breast, abdomen and tail
Which were blackish with white barrings
It also had a gray bill, red iris, long legs
Along with dark brown feet.

Well, those were features of the Ko’ko’
That I vividly remember
Which would often scatter when I passed by.
It is one special bird that I knew couldn’t fly
But it is one that I would always remember
Because it had a loud, piercing whistle
Whenever it would sing.

It is said that the brown tree snakes invaded Guam
And is responsible for eating most of the Ko’ko.
We must protect whatever Ko’ko that are alive
For if we don’t, there will come a time
When this special native bird of Guam
Will disappear right before our eyes.
© mnrivera and ltgumataotao

*Ko’ko: Guam rail

Source: Our Native Daughters’ Reflection of Guam and Its People by Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera and Lois Taitano Gumataotao

Hafa Adai! As part of my commitment to continue to share cultural poems relating to our beautiful island of Guam and its people, here’s Korasón Poem #53 titled Santa Marian Kamalen. Enjoy!

Santa Marian Kamalen

Every year on December 8
You can bet my family and I would go
To the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral Basilica
To attend the procession which would last for hours.
And though my feet would ache from all the walking
My faith in God remains strong and always will.

According to the legend
Santa Marian Kamalen floated
Into the shores of Malesso
Escorted by two crabs with lit votive candles.
It is said that her travel in the waters is a miracle
Since she is made of ironwood, which does not float.
She was brought in by a fisherman
Who presented her to the Spanish Governor.
It is said that the fisherman drew near to the statue
But it drifted away until he fully clothed himself.
The statue was then housed in a proa shed or camarin
Until she moved to her new home
At the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral Basilica.

Santa Marian Kamalen,
Patroness of the island,
Who has survived typhoons, earthquakes, and WWII,
Stands watch over the people of Guam.
And my participation in honoring Santa Marian Kamalen
Will remain a tradition of mine
For as long as I’m able to walk, talk and sing
I will continue to attend the procession,
As well as pray and sing wholeheartedly.
© mnrivera and ltgumataotao

*Santa Marian Kamalen: Our Lady of Camarin

Source: Our Native Daughters’ Reflection of Guam and Its People by Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera and Lois Taitano Gumataotao

Hafa Adai! As part of my commitment to continue to share cultural poems relating to our beautiful island of Guam and its people, here’s Korasón Poem #52 titled Y Prensa. Enjoy!

Y Prensa

I remember my mother telling me
How she used y prensa* to iron her clothes
Because back then
There was no such thing as an electric iron.
She’d have to go get tesson*
Which would be burning inside the iron
Releasing the heat
That would be used to press the clothes.
Y prensa,
A small, yet heavy household appliance
Carefully crafted out of iron,
Is no longer used today.
But it’s a reminder of Guam’s past
Of how our people were resourceful
And they made do with what they had.
© mnrivera and ltgumataotao

*y prensa: iron
*tesson: fire stick

Source: Our Native Daughters’ Reflection of Guam and Its People by Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera and Lois Taitano Gumataotao

Tan Floren 's woven creations

Image source: http://www.pacificworlds.com

Hafa Adai! As part of my commitment to continue to share cultural poems relating to our beautiful island of Guam and its people, here’s Korasón Poem #51 titled Weaving. Enjoy!

Weaving

Weaving with coconut leaves
Was a part of the Chamorro culture
Before and during the Japanese occupation.
Our people would tufok* baskets
For fishing and to hold things in
And they would also weave
Many other things such as the
Guafak* to sleep on
Higai* to provide shelter
Purses to keep items in
Bohao* to keep themselves cool
Katupat* for cooking rice
And decorations for fiestas.
Weaving is used to this day
And I hope that it is one art that won’t go away.

© mnrivera and ltgumataotao

*tufok: weave
*Guafak: mat
*Higai: Roof of coconut palm
*Bohao: Fan
*Katupat: woven container used for cooking rice

Source: Our Native Daughters’ Reflection of Guam and Its People by Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera and Lois Taitano Gumataotao

Image source: http://www.guampedia.com/

Hafa Adai! As part of my commitment to continue to share cultural poems relating to our beautiful island of Guam and its people, here’s Korasón Poem #50 titled Fanihi. Enjoy!

Fanihi

On Guam there’s a very special animal we call fanihi*.
It’s a delicacy for many
For I recall how my parents would crave for it.
They would get so excited
Whenever they were able to catch one
Just so that they can eat it with delight.
As for me
Well, I don’t necessarily crave for it
For one would have to acquire its odor
Of a skunk-like smell.
And one would also have to be accustomed
To looking at the blaring, bulging eyes
Of a fury, flying mouse-like creature.
And if you go to a fiesta
Who knows,
You just might come across a fanihi
That’ll greet you with that unique odor
And those unique eyes.
But don’t let it frighten you
For you just might like him
Just as my parents do and no doubt, always will.
© mnrivera and ltgumataotao

*Fanihi: fruit bat

Source: Our Native Daughters’ Reflection of Guam and Its People by Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera and Lois Taitano Gumataotao

Image source: http://www.visitguam.org/

Hafa Adai! As part of my commitment to continue to share cultural poems relating to our beautiful island of Guam and its people, here’s Korasón Poem #49 titled Belembao Tuyan. Enjoy!

Belembao Tuyan

Our culture is rich with music and dance
And one thing that makes it lively
Is the belembao tuyan* which will delight your ears
With its distinctive sounds
That are uniquely generated by one’s stomach

There aren’t that many
Who can play the belembao tuyan with ease
But when it is played you can bet
It will merrily entertain you
With a cultural tune that can’t be matched.
© mnrivera and ltgumataotao

*belembao tuyan: musical string instrument which is held against the belly while the musician plays.


Source: Our Native Daughters’ Reflection of Guam and Its People by Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera and Lois Taitano Gumataotao

Hafa Adai! As part of my commitment to continue to share cultural poems relating to our beautiful island of Guam and its people, here’s Korasón Poem #48 titled Tapon Dia. Enjoy!

Tapon Dia

Saturday was my family’s Tapon Dia.
As low tide came around
We went to the beach to harvest clam all day long.
We would use our fingers
To dig deep into the sand.
And we would pick as many clams as we could.

Clam after clam we all would harvest
Clam after clam we all would spread out
We would dig and dig
Until our bucket was filled with clams.

But the best thing of all is eating the clams
After it has been washed and boiled with coconut milk
For eating the cooked clams with hot rice
Is a well deserved treat!
© mnrivera and ltgumataotao

* Tapon Dia: Clam Day


Source: Our Native Daughters’ Reflection of Guam and Its People by Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera and Lois Taitano Gumataotao

Hafa Adai! As part of my commitment to continue to share cultural poems relating to our beautiful island of Guam and its people, here’s Korasón Poem #47 titled Kahit. Enjoy!

Kahit

I enjoy eating kahit or orange as we know it
For it was one of my favorite fruits
As a child and still is to this day.
When August rolled around the corner
I knew it was orange harvest time once again.

I remember how my brothers, sister and I
Would scramble around to pick the oranges
That suddenly all came falling down
After my dad hit all the tree branches with utmost force.
And if we weren’t careful enough
To dodge the falling oranges
We’d sometimes get hit on our backs, arms or legs.

Although it was hard work to pick all the oranges
I tried my best to fill up my sack to the very top
So that I may peel and enjoy
As many oranges to eat with much delight!
© mnrivera and ltgumataotao

*kahit: orange

Source: Our Native Daughters’ Reflection of Guam and Its People by Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera and Lois Taitano Gumataotao