Congratulations Newly-Elected PIBBA International Officers!

PIBBA Officers.  Pictured L-R:  Theresa "Ewy" Taitano, President-Elect; Alister Tolenoa, Historian; Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, Webmaster; Nik Willson, Co-Webmaster; Frances Sablan, Secretary; Rosa Salas Palomo, Treasurer; and Arwelson proxy for Senator Shelten G. Neth, President-Elect.   

34th PIBBA International Conference a Success!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day, and God Bless all fathers who make a difference in the lives of their children.

The following is a poem I wrote in dedication to my father.

My Tata

Tata

Tata*…
I love you more than words can say
For all that you are
And all that you do
To provide for us all.
And your stern, yet caring ways
Instill us with a stamina to succeed
To reach beyond the limits
And keep going for victory!
So Tata,
Just know that I care too…
I love you!
© mnrivera

Philippine Independence Ball - June 13

Guam Micronesia Island Fair - June 12, 13, 14

The Guam Micronesia Island Fair begins tomorrow.  In its 28th year, the annual festival will bring our neighboring islands together for a weekend of cultural sharing and preparation for the "Olympics of Pacific Arts."

"Bridging past, present and future — The Journey to FestPac" is this year's theme.

"The Guam Visitors Bureau and our Guam Micronesia Island Fair partners are looking forward to this weekend's celebration of culture, alongside our brothers and sisters from Micronesia," GVB General Manager Nathan Denight says.

"This GVB signature cultural event will also serve as a preview to the Festival of Pacific Arts, which Guam is hosting in 2016. We invite everyone to come to Gov. Joseph Flores (Beach) Park on June 12 to 14 to check out all the different vendors, cultural exhibitors, live art demonstrations and entertainment that are part of GMIF, " Denight says.

This weekend, expect delegations from Rota, Tinian, Saipan, The Federated States of Micronesia, and the republics of Kiribati, Nauru, Palau and the Marshall Islands represented at the fair, as well as a Guam delegation.

The island delegations will share their culture through dance, singing and chant performances, as well as through food, arts and crafts and other goods available at the fair.

There's plenty to do at the fair with different kinds of vendors, artisans, even live-art demonstrations scheduled for the three-day celebration.

This weekend's fair also has a strong musical entertainment line-up with award-winning island reggae group The Mana'o Company, known for the hit "Drop Baby Drop," ready to perform.

Also on tap to perform are local groups, including Marianas Homegrown, Love & Håfa Adai, Stay Tuned, R&R, The Mount Carmel Phoenix Stage Band and Rising Tides.

IF YOU GO

• What: 28th annual Guam Micronesia Island Fair
• Where: Gov. Joseph Flores Memorial Park at Ypao Beach, Tumon
• When: Noon to 9 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Schedule of events


Friday• Noon: Fairgrounds open
• 12:30 p.m.: Vicente S.A. Benavente Middle School
• 1 p.m.: Kulu Natibu Dance Squad (AIJMS)
• 1:30 p.m.: Inetnon Southern High Chapter
• 2 p.m.: Guma' Kinalamten I Tatao Tano
• 6 p.m.: Opening ceremony
• 7 p.m.: Marianas Homegrown
• 8 p.m.: Love and Håfa Adai
• 9 p.m:. Fairgrounds close


Saturday• Noon: Fairgrounds open
• 12:30 p.m.: Pa'a Taotao Tano'
• 1 p.m.: Pohnpei
• 1:30 p.m.: Kosrae
• 2 p.m.: Natibu Dance Academy
• 2:30 p.m.: Palau
• 3 p.m.: Yap
• 3:30 p.m.: Konfrence
• 4:30 p.m.: Toni Quitugua
• 5 p.m.: Phoenix Stage Band
• 6 p.m.: Stay Tuned
• 7:30 p.m.: The Mana'o Company
• 9 p.m.: Fairgrounds close


Sunday• Noon: Fairgrounds open
• 12:30 p.m.: Pa'a Taotao Tano'
• 1 p.m.: Yap
• 1:30 p.m.: Guma Irensian Taotao Tano
• 2 p.m.: Guma Anitin I Taotao Tano
• 2:30 p.m.: Pohnpei
• 3 p.m.: Palau
• 3:30 p.m.: DanzJazz Entertainment Company + SSHS Dance Team
• 4 p.m.: Guma Ininan I Saina-ta
• 4:30 p.m.: Rose Martinez
• 5 p.m.: Southern High School's Vocational Band "Rising Tide"
• 6 p.m.: R&R
• 7:30 p.m.: The Mana'o Company
• 9 p.m.: Fairgrounds close

Source:  PDN

GPLS Summer Reading Program - June 8 - July 16

Let us remember...

On this Memorial Day, let us remember all those soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines, who sacrificed their lives, so that we may be safe from harm. They will always be remembered!

Congratulations Spring 2015 UOG Graduates!

The University of Guam celebrated the accomplishments of the largest graduating class in its history. UOG conferred 328 degrees, of which, 270 were undergraduate degrees and 58 were graduate degrees during Spring 2015 Commencement at the UOG Calvo Field House today.

The largest number of graduates came from the UOG School of Business and Public Administration, which conferred 99 combined undergraduate degrees in Business Administration, Accounting, Public Administration and Criminal Justice and 31 combined graduate degrees from its Professional Master of Business Administration and Master of Public Administration programs.

The School of Education conferred 47 total degrees one of which belonged to the valedictorian. Special Education major Cassandra Dimla noted in her valedictorian speech the importance of working with others and learning how to succeed together. “Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one. None of us would be where we are today without our constant supporters pushing us,” she said.

During the ceremony, Frank Rabon received an honorary Master of Creative and Traditional Micronesian Knowledge for his lifetime of work in Chamorro dance. After brief remarks, his group Fafanaguen Pa'a Taotao Tano’ performed a chant which stirred the capacity crowd in the Calvo Field House.

Commencement speaker David Cruz, a cast member of Bravo TV’s The Millionaire Matchmaker, exhorted students to “Never let anyone tell you that your voice is not important or that your voice is ridiculous or too small. Each of your voices were carefully crafted and polished in these halls for you to take out into the world…Never apologize for using that voice either. Being able to challenge the status quo is the cornerstone of change in history.“

The second commencement speaker was Jim Obergefell, the named plaintiff in Obergefell v. Hodges, the landmark marriage equality case currently before the U.S. Supreme Court. Recalling his remarkable journey beginning as a teacher of the German language to walking through the halls of the U.S. Supreme Court and presenting his testimony, Obergefell said, “My younger self would be surprised at what I've done, and the fact that I've had an impact far beyond a high school classroom. I’m pretty sure my younger self would be proud of the man I’ve become.” His hope for each student was they would be proud of the man or woman they become.

Enjoy the following snapshots!

DEAL Faculty with UOG President Robert A. Underwood.

DEAL Faculty are all smiles.

SOE Faculty pose for the camera.

A Celebration of Lasting Friendship

UOG's Dr. Rivera's!

Spring 2015 UOG Commencement Exercise 

UOG President Dr. Robert A. Underwood awards Master Frank Rabon with an honorary Master of Creative and Traditional Micronesian Knowledge for his lifetime of work in Chamorro dance.

TESOL graduates pose for the camera!

Source:  www.uog.edu

Biba Kumpleanos Eva Dior!

28th Micronesia Island Fair - Postponed to June 12 - 14, 2015

As a result of Typhoon Dolphin, the Micronesia Island Fair will now be held June 12-14, 2015.

Location: Governor Joseph Flores Memorial Park (Ypao)
Address: 401 Pale San Vitores Road, Tumon, Guam 96913
Times: From: 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Admission: Free
Phone: 671-646-5278
Email:info@visitguam.org

The Guam Micronesia Island Fair is the annual signature cultural event of the Guam Visitors Bureau, showcasing the vibrant cultures of Micronesia. 

Experience the culture and arts of Micronesia in one exciting weekend on June 12, 13, and 14. Known for the best diving in the world and just a few short hours from Asia are thousands of islands that span the west Pacific, known as Micronesia.

For over a quarter century, delegations from the Federated States of Micronesia, Rota, Saipan and Tinian and the republics of Kiribati, Nauru, the Marshall Islands and Palau, have gathered on Guam to commemorate the region's largest cultural event. Meet Micronesia's master carvers, blacksmiths, traditional fishing experts, jewelers, weavers, dancers, musicians and chefs and see first hand customs that have been in place and perpetuated for the millennia.

Source:  http://www.visitguam.com

GINEN I TANO' Sunday Street Fair - May 24

Our monthly GINEN I TANO' Sunday Street Fair will be on MAY 24, 2015, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in front of the G.Flores History Center (Old Store) on San Jose Ave. in Inalahan.  Vendors of all local products are invited to bring their table and set up for free under the canopy.  The Inalahan Mayor provides the canopies and GVB encourages group tours to visit.  LET'S PROMOTE OUR LOCAL PRODUCTS AND BUSINESSES!  Please register so your space can be saved and your participation will be promoted in advance!
To register, contact Judy Flores at judyflores@guam.net  or Tonymdaddy@yahoo.com.  
Leave phone message at Hotnu Bakery at 989-5340.

Congratulations, Latte Tones, for the Disney Magic!

Congratulations to the Latte Tones (formerly University Singers) for wowing the crowd on May 7, 8, and 9, 2015 at the UOG Fine Arts Theatre.  They performed a Disney magical melody adventure filled with scenes of Disney princesses through the years.  Kristoff and Anna also had a special wedding ceremony, and Olaf was on hand to greet the countless of children.  Kudos on a job well done!

The Latte Tones perform their Disney Magic!

Pocahontas moves the crowd with her song Colors of the Wind.

SOE Convocation Meaningful

Congratulations to all the School of Education students who were honored for their achievement during the SOE Convocation held May 9, 2015 at the Sheraton Laguna Resort. We wish you continued success!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all of you wonderful Mothers out there! Enjoy your Special Day! You deserve it! May God Bless you always, for all that you do, from being a nurse, doctor, taxi driver, photographer, etc.The list goes on! Enjoy the following mother’s poem!

Nana

Nana*….

If I haven’t told you already

“I love you so”

And always will

You have sacrificed

You have brought so much nurturing into my life

That I can’t imagine my life without you.

Even if my actions tell a different story.

So though I don’t say it all the time

Just know that I do appreciate you

For all that you have done for me

That I love you too

And I always will…

I love you mom!

*Nana: mother

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

Addressing Concerns of Parents of Young Children with Autism Workshop - May 6 & 7

Identifying Children with Autism Workshop - May 5

We Can Make A Difference

Do your best
In all that you say
In all that you do
To make your life worth living
To make a difference in the lives of others.

Realize that you're important to someone
And your genuine help from the kindness of your heart
To pick up others when the odds are stacked up against them
Gives them hope when they have none.

Remember…
If you help out others with no expectations in return
Then your life will be enriched with abundant goodness
And perhaps one day someone will be there for you too.

Living life right
Sacrificing even it hurts so much
Taking on meaningful challenges that may stab your heart a bit at times
All the while striving to be on the side with one's angel
Whom absorbs the goodness of your beautiful soul
Enables you to live a life that matters.

Keeping up the faith
Working as brothers and sisters
To make this world a better place
Moves a nation and heals our souls -
Tis the power of unity!

Remember that beauty is not dependent on your looks or wealth
But who you are deep within -
A remarkable and beautiful person filled with so much love to spread
Filled with inspirational momentum
To help others because you truly do care
Because you know it's the right thing to do
To make a difference!

And though you're hurting
Though your life is filled with strife that strikes your gentle soul
Sometimes you have to let things go even if you’re hurting deep inside.
You have to release your hold
And let things be
Because maybe it was never meant to be.

Sometimes you have to realize that you can’t take things for granted
Because when you least expect it
What you thought you had can be suddenly stolen
As if someone pulled the carpet fast from under your feet.

You have to hold your head up high even if you would rather cry.
You see, life can be very cruel
And it won’t get any better
Unless you move on with your life
Cut your losses
Invest in hope and faith
And with each day you’ll get stronger, and stronger, and stronger…

Grasp and gain the strength from deep within and trust in God
To live a life that makes a difference -
Tis the wonderful gift of life!
So join me, if you will and
Let's live a life that matters
Because together…
We can make a difference!
©mnrivera


INSPIRATIONAL MESSAGE: Together, We Can Make A Difference!

Don't Give Up

Keep swimming

c

May 15, 2015 - May 17, 2015 

Location: Governor Joseph Flores Memorial Park (Ypao)
Address: 401 Pale San Vitores Road, Tumon, Guam 96913
Times: From: 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Admission: Free
Phone: 671-646-5278
Email:info@visitguam.org

The Guam Micronesia Island Fair is the annual signature cultural event of the Guam Visitors Bureau, showcasing the vibrant cultures of Micronesia. 

Experience the culture and arts of Micronesia in one exciting weekend on May 15,16 & 17. Known for the best diving in the world and just a few short hours from Asia are thousands of islands that span the west Pacific, known as Micronesia.

For over a quarter century, delegations from the Federated States of Micronesia, Rota, Saipan and Tinian and the republics of Kiribati, Nauru, the Marshall Islands and Palau, have gathered on Guam to commemorate the region's largest cultural event. Meet Micronesia's master carvers, blacksmiths, traditional fishing experts, jewelers, weavers, dancers, musicians and chefs and see first hand customs that have been in place and perpetuated for the millennia.

Source:  http://www.visitguam.com