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"Saipanese Returns After 35 Year Exile" (Daniel Manibusan Aldan)
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- Written by: Bernard Punzalan
[Transcription]
Saipanese Returns After 35 Year Exile
From MNA press release
SAIPAN – Daniel Manibusan Aldan has returned to Saipan from a 35-year absence from his home island. Drafted into the Imperial forces in 1942, Aldan remains as a sprightly 62-year-old, and not surprisingly, things have changed in his absence.
Aldan's wartime career under the Japanese took him to New Guinea in February of 1942, leaving behind on Saipan his wife and three small children.
It was not easy to refuse the orders of the Japanese military at that time, he says, because resistance would have meant severe punishment.
On reaching New Guinea, he was assigned to the Japanese Navy where he remained for six months, but was transferred to Halmania, Indonesia for hospitalization when he became ill. It was there he convalesced for a period of time during 1943.
Read more: "Saipanese Returns After 35 Year Exile" (Daniel Manibusan Aldan)
CHamoru Genealogy Songs/Chants
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- Written by: Bernard Punzalan
Håfa Adai Everyone. I would like to compile a list of CHamoru songs and chants that specifically identify names in their family or their family clan names. If you know of one, or several, please add to this list the singer, the composer of the song/chant, and the title of the song/chant. I only have three in my collection so far.
Camacho, Dåkota Alcantara, “i Hale’-hu.”
Chaco, Juan Babauta, “i Tai Hinekkok na Håga’, i Trongkon i Fåmilia-ku.”
Duenas, Mike, “Guåhu Låhen Francisco Duenas.”
Arlington, Texas Workshop Videos
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- Written by: Bernard Punzalan
Through the collaboration and co-sponsorship with the North Texas CHamoru Association a CHamoru Genealogy Workshop was conducted on May 25, 2025 in Arlington, Texas.
Video by Mona-Lisa Leon Guerrero Cassedy (Nåcha' yan CHe')
Video by Michelle Yamasaki (Yai yan Ma'fongfung)
1920 Church Census of Guam and “Culion”
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- Written by: Bernard Punzalan
Each time I get a chance to review a transcribed copy of the Catholic church's 1920 census of Guam, I learn something new and make a note of it. Last night I learned that there were nine (9) eight (8) CHamoru people listed in the census with a note of “Culion,” indicating that they were in Culion, an island of the Philippines, where the U.S. exiled some people with leprosy.
- Jose Charfauros Guatafe
- Vicente Pangelinan Rosario
- Gertrudis Quintanilla
- Jose Guerrero Pangelinan
- Juan Leon Guerrero Campos
- Juan Guerrero
- Pedro Atogue Lujan
- Vicente Atoigue Lujan
- Vicente Benavente Toves
From 1912 to 1924, CHamorus from Guam diagnosed with leprosy were sent to Culion. Later in 1924, some were allowed to return home. Others were not as fortunate and subsequently died in Culion.
Someone once asked me if I had a list of CHamoru people that were sent to Culion or those who may have died there, but unfortunately, I did not. Perhaps, they may be listed in the register contained at the Culion Museum and Archives.
References
Leprosy - Hospitals and Colonies: https://www.guampedia.com/us-naval-era-leprosy-hospitals-and-colonies/
Culion Leprosy Colony (Philippines:) https://leprosyhistory.org/geographical_region/site/culion
The Island of No Return: https://philippines.michiganintheworld.history.lsa.umich.edu/s/exhibit/page/the-island-of-no-return
1891: Five CHamoru Stowaways
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- Written by: Bernard Punzalan
In an 1891 letter from Governor Joaquin Vara de Rey to the Governor General of the Philippines, Vara wrote that six CHamoru (unnamed) were contracted as sailors for the whaling ship Charles W. Morgan. One-third of the Morgan’s crew were CHamorus. Jose Sablan and Jose Siguenza were named and purportedly served as recruiting agents. In addition, Vara complained that five youths from Umatac disappeared as of February 13, 1891. They were purportedly fishing together the evening before at Cetti Bay.
Later, the Captain of the ship discovered that the five youths stowed away on the Morgan. They were identified, but only one of the five was a minor.
|
Names |
Native of |
Age |
Status |
Father |
Mother |
Trade |
|
Nicholas Malijan y Aguon |
Umatac |
19 |
Single |
Hilario |
Luisa |
Farmer |
|
Vicente Chiguina |
Umatac |
21 |
Single |
Hilario |
Antonia |
Farmer |
|
Joaquin Gumata |
Umatac |
21 |
Single |
Leonardo |
Juliana |
Farmer |
|
Jose Guinata Lacarno |
Umatac |
15 |
Single |
Jose |
Dolores |
Farmer |
|
Bernabe Inocencio Lacarno |
Umatac |
21 |
Single |
Leon |
Maria |
Farmer |
Source: Rodrigue Levesque. 2005. History of Micronesia: History of Micronesia: Japanese Traders Join the Fray, 1890-1897, Volume 33. Levesque Publications. Quebec, Canada
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