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Guam's Population: July 1913
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- Written by: Bernard Punzalan
Today's population on Guam is more than 10 times the size it was 100 years ago...
Famalao’an Chamorro: Shadows in Early Chamorro History
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- Written by: Bernard Punzalan
As the Principal Investigator of the Chamorro Roots Genealogy Project™ it is frustrating to review early Chamorro history. In most literature, there are barely any Chamorro names listed. Perhaps, one may find a paragraph or two, but then that’s it! Other Chamorro historians have written about this shortfall and dilemma in history, but I think it’s important to constantly remind ourselves of this deficiency so that we can ensure that when we write about our history today, we do not overlook it ever again.
More so frustrating is the rarity of identifying Chamorro women in early history and transcripts. When I talk about early Chamorro history, I am referring to the period from the point of Magellan’s 1521 arrival in the Mariana Islands through the mid-1700’s and perhaps into the 1800's.
This period also was the recorded time point of outside contact, conquest, conversion and colonialism of the Mariana Islands. In addition, it is the impetus for the Chamorro culture transitioning from a matrilineal to patrilineal society.
This is where, at least it seems to me, Chamorro women become shadows in Chamorro history. In other words, they existed, had a role, but were barely identified in historical recordings. So here are a couple of examples of two Chamorro women who are depicted as shadows in early Chamorro history.
Sosanbra, Sunama’s wife. One of the first recordings of a Chamorro was by Fray Juan Pobre. Pobre recorded and described Sunama, his wife Sosanbra, their eldest son Maripego and two daughters : Marifoquez and Mominasaria. This was one of the first recordings of Chamorro names, family, and women. After this recording, women’s names are barely disclosed.
Captain Masongsong’s mother-in-law. Masongsong was a Filipino soldier among the Spanish Army contingents. His mother-in-law is depicted in history as a very brave Chamorro woman. She was a woman that attempted to rally the Filipino soldiers against the Spaniards and take over. Instead, Masongsong did not entertain her and turned her in to the Spanish authorities. Who was this brave Chamorro woman that defied Spanish authorities? Who was Masongsong’s wife?
Of recent, I have been able to at least identify one of Masongsong’s sister-in-laws: Maria Taytifi. It feels so strange right now to be able to name Maria Taytifi, yet unable to identify her sister, Masongsong’s wife and her mother, Masongsong's mother-in-law. On the other hand, it feels like a huge step forward for me to at least identify one of the family members of Chamorro descent.
Our Chamorro women should not be or remain in the shadows of Chamorro history. We must continue to dig deep in early history, identify them and shed light upon their identity and stories. After all, Chamorro women had a key role in the perpetuation of our identity, language, culture and retention as a distinct group of people despite interracial marriages.
Magahet, biba i famalao'an Chamorro!
Rosita Leon Guerrero Cruz Punzalan
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- Written by: Bernard Punzalan
Today, which means forever because it will depend on what day you read this, I honor my mother Rosita Leon Guerrero Cruz Punzalan. Her parents are the late Ignacio Manibusan Cruz (Manggåfan Mafongfung yan Jai) and Rosa Salas Leon Guerrero (Manggåfan Matias yan Teyu).
Mom comes from a family of what was supposed to have been 19 siblings. Unfortunately, nine of her siblings were lost prior to birth and in the mid-to-late 1920s Mom had lost two more sisters as children due to several epidemics that swept through Guam.
Part of Mom’s childhood included the traumatic experiences of World War II, the re-building of Guam after the war, and the influence of Americanization. Her family originally hailed from Palai, Piti, then moved to Hagatna, and after the war to Tamuning.
When Mom was single, she worked for a short period at the original Town House store. Not too long after Mom dated my father, the late Eustaquio Anderson Punzalan (Manggåfan Che’ yan Pansi), they were married. Dad was already in the Air Force and stationed on Guam waiting for the Air Force to figure what they were going to do with all the Chamorro men who underwent basic training on Guam; but, that’s another interesting story on its own.
While on Guam, Mom and Dad had their first three children on Guam: Irene, David and Rosemarie. Once Dad had orders for his assignment to Laramie Air Force Base, Wyoming, Mom would have to travel with her three children and without being accompanied by Dad. Given the time period of world events in 1960, I can hardly imagine the stress Mom went through and how she was able to harness her courage and strength to get through all that and then resettle into an environment foreign to her.
After all, Mom is an island girl that never left her home prior to marrying Dad. Security clearance requirements to come in and out of Guam were still in effect and there were “overseas” vaccination requirements. Her English was not quite stellar so she placed a lot of faith and trust in people to help her navigate requirements. I’m sure there were tons of other bureaucratic hurdles Mom needed to overcome, but she weathered through them all!
After the move to Wyoming, I was born. Then, my brother Tom was born in Spain, Charlie was born in Okinawa, and Paul was born in California. That would make seven of us children that Mom had to ensure that we were “properly credentialed and travel ready for the military,” for Dad's next assignment. Seven children to take care of when Dad was on temporary duty (TDY) away from the family; seven children to take care of when Dad was deployed twice to Vietnam; and, seven children to move from one military assignment to another. We were all over the globe!
My youngest sibling, Noreen, did not come until much later and after Dad retired from the Air Force. But all-in-all, Mom had to tend to her eight competing interests needing her love and care.
Mom acknowledges that she wasn’t a perfect mother. But hey, there’s not one human being that I am aware of that was born and readily armed with any parental experience. Mom followed her instincts and learned from it, just like we all seem to do. Seriously, how many of us these days can claim that they successfully raised eight or more children?
As I reflect back in time I am in awe with what my mother had been put through and the things she sacrificed for us children. When we reminisce about the past together, I can see it in her eyes that she is very proud of us. She sheds many tears of joy, pain and love for us. I for one as a child gave her plenty of worries with my illnesses and accidents that landed me in the hospital on more than one occasion.
My mother is definitely a Super-Ordinary Woman, my Guardian Angel, and my Hero! I am so blessed to be alive to share this story with you!
Database Update 23 Jun 2013
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- Written by: Bernard Punzalan
The database has been updated and has grown from 296,355 to 297,144 names.
Maria Barbara Garrido Guerrero Manibusan
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- Written by: Bernard Punzalan
My mother-in-law, Maria Barbara Garrido Guerrero Manibusan (Bobbie) is an amazing woman! Her parents are the late Jose Crisostomo Guerrero (Manggåfan Robat) and Maria Leon Guerrero Garrido (Manggåfan Enriken Måtak).
At the very young age of 16, she fell deeply in love with her soul-mate and married Joaquin (Kin) Taitano Manibusan (Manggåfan Le’le). Together my in-laws had and raised eight children, which of course included my wife Josephine Marie (Fena). This essay is going to be one of the rarest moments I will ever call my mother-in-law Bobbie, and father-in-law, Kin.
For the next 18 years of Bobbie’s marriage to Kin, she dedicated much of her time and attention towards raising their children. Unless you have ever tried, raising eight children with extremely limited resources is quite an obvious challenge. Another challenge called for a certain balance on ensuring all eight children receive equal portions of her love, time and attention. I should know I too come from a family of eight siblings!
I also had a chance to observe the dynamics of my wife’s family, since we were married some 20 years after her parents were married. I then became the oldest of the siblings and six of eight children were still in school at the time! I literally had the opportunity with my wife to help share in the upbringing of some of her siblings. Ah, but I digress…
So back to Bobbie…She was about 36, when I married Fena. Amazingly during that time, Bobbie was in her second year of studies at the University of Guam (UOG). So between raising eight children and the added strains of studies, it compounded her challenges. Talk about i Fuetsan Nana; absolutely incredible!
In addition, she was studying hard towards her goal of becoming a special education teacher for Guam’s public school system. However, because she was married and started having children at a young age, she withdrew from high school. It turned out to be a lengthy sabbatical; but she was determined, tested out and received her General Education Development(GED) high school equivalent, prior to enrolling at UOG. At the age of 38, she achieved her dream and was awarded her Bachelor of Science in Special Education degree from UOG.
Shortly after her graduation, she became a teacher. She taught devotedly within Guam’s public school system. During her teaching years, the family would get together towards the end of the summer and help her prepare her assigned class room for the opening school year. During several occasions, when the government’s budget was quite lean, this involved personal purchases such as paint her classroom, an air condition to ensure her students remain cool during the day, and decorating her class to the point where her students can feel the aura of comfort and that learning can also be a fun experience. Indeed, Bobbie and Kin spent a lot of personal time and funds for the benefit of her students.
Unfortunately, due to health conditions she had no choice but to accept a medical retirement. Bobbie has an ailing heart condition and her diabetic condition has also been problematic. Despite having a teaching career and an unfortunate end to it (at least with the public), she has always remained the backbone of her family. Bobbie is known for her creativity and to this very day, although not as often as before, she continues to engage the children in arts and crafts learning activities.
Sundays are indeed, a day of God and a day of family unity and gatherings. Practically every Sunday, we meet up at the family compound in Mogfog. Once we are there, it seems like we are in another world, because nothing else seems to exist except family time! We have many beautiful photos and video recordings covering our family gatherings. We would even have exclusive performances from her grandchildren.
Everyone’s a winner!
Bobbie’s maternal love, instincts and guidance for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren will remain eternal. We are drawn by these strengths that seem to bring us back for more.
I am deeply honored by her wealth of love and inspired by her determination and accomplishments! I am also very blessed to be a part of this family! Hu guaiya hao Mom!
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