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Judge Ignacio Villagomez Benavente
- Details
- Written by: Bernard Punzalan
(Note: The source of this information and photos are from the, “Footprints on the sands of time: Judge Ignacio V. Benavente,” by Sister Felicia Plaza, MMB, published in the Guam Recorder, 1976, Volume 6.)
Tun Ignacio was born in Saipan on July 9, 1898 to the parents of Fernando Benavente and Dolores Villagomez. His father Fernando was from Guam and is a descendant of a Spaniard who was shipwrecked near Guam sometime between1830-1835. He was the first born of five children. In 1925, he married Rita Arriola and together they had ten children.
During Tun Ignacio’s early years, his schooling from 1905 to 1913 was under the German administration. He was known to have a knack for quickly absorbing languages and mastered Spanish and German early on in life. While on Guam in the early 1920’s and taking care of his sick grandmother, he learned English. Later in life he would become self-taught in reading and writing French and prior to his death he was in the process of learning Russian. He was a very intelligent man indeed, despite never having completed college.
From 1913-1915 he worked on the island of Yap as a cable and radio operator. From there he was transferred to Saipan where he stayed until 1937. In 1937, he decided to move his wife and children to Yap where he bought enough land for his family. He did not want to stay on Saipan after observing that over 20,000 Japanese had taken over the economic progress of the Chamorro people, for the sake of the Japanese government’s support of the Sugar Company.
While in Yap, Tun Ignacio served as Commissioner for the Chamorros from 1942-1946. He also became a Deacon for the Catholic Church, when the Japanese expelled all Catholic missionaries. As a side note, some of these Catholic missionaries were imprisoned in Palau and later beheaded by the Japanese. So in the absence of the Catholic missionaries from 1944-1946, it was he who baptized children, led the services and witnessed the marriages in Yap.
From 1946-1948 Tun Ignacio worked for the United States Commercial Company. In 1947, he was sent to Hawaii for one year to attend a special agricultural extension course. Upon his completion in 1948, he became the agricultural agent for Saipan.
In 1950, he made another trip to Hawaii and while there and under the joint auspices of the Navy and Pacific Sciences Board, he was able to study the sugar industry, soil conservation and the raising of coffee.
From 1949-1952 he was active in the Saipan Congress. From 1951-1953 he served as the Judge of the District Court, Mariana Islands, and Special Judge of the High Court. From 1953-1963 he served as the Mayor of Saipan. Following that he was back on the bench of justice and served another eight years from 1963-1975.
On April 27, 1974, the late Archbishop Felixberto C. Flores honored Tun Ignacio with a Papal Award, the Benemerenti Medal.
Tun Ignacio was very active and instrumental in moving forward stronger political status relations with the U.S. He was alive to witness the Northern Marianas approval of the covenant to establish the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas political union with the U.S. on June 17, 1975.
Three days later on June 20, 1975 the Chamorro people would mourn the unexpected and sudden death of Tun Ignacio. His death occurred shortly after performing what would be his last charity visit to a friend who was ill and lonely. Tun Ignacio left behind an incredible legacy described as “one who was symbolic of the finest and the best in the heritage of the Chamorro people.”
Database Update 7 Jun 2013
- Details
- Written by: Bernard Punzalan
The database has been updated and has grown from 294,739 to 296,355 names.
Pre-1900s Births in June (Sampling)
- Details
- Written by: Bernard Punzalan
Last Name, Given Name(s) | Birth | Birth Place |
Aflague Ignacio Enos Camacho | 30 Jun 1857 | Guam |
Aflague Joaquina Pangelinan | 27 Jun 1898 | Garapan, Saipan, Mariana Islands |
Aflleje Andres Fejeran | 18 Jun 1898 | Guam |
Aguigui Joaquin San Nicolas (Tiabas/Spanish) | 8 Jun 1894 | Guam |
Aguon Jesus Cruz | 12 Jun 1887 | Guam |
Blas Francisco Cepeda | 27 Jun 1898 | Guam |
Camacho Joaquina Lujan | 17 Jun 1884 | Guam |
Carbullido Felicita C. | 24 Jun 1896 | Guam |
Castro Francisco Camacho | 10 Jun 1899 | Garapan, Saipan, Mariana Islands |
Castro Jesus Diaz | 8 Jun 1894 | Garapan, Saipan, Mariana Islands |
Castro Manuela (Lela) | 10 Jun 1894 | Guam |
Celis Carmen | 6 Jun 1860 | Garapan, Saipan, Mariana Islands |
Cruz Dolores Aguigui | 29 Jun 1881 | Guam |
Cruz Francisco Benavente | 19 Jun 1893 | Guam |
Cruz Francisco Salas | 25 Jun 1890 | Guam |
Cruz Isabel | 6 Jun 1879 | Guam |
Cruz Mariano Aguon | 29 Jun 1888 | Guam |
de Toves Pedro Ignacio | 25 Jun 1896 | Guam |
DeLeon Guerrero Carlos Pedro Borja | 7 Jun 1889 | Garapan, Saipan, Mariana Islands |
DeLeon Guerrero Elena Muna | 17 Jun 1894 | Garapan, Saipan, Mariana Islands |
DeLeon Guerrero Maria Luisa Borja | 21 Jun 1884 | Garapan, Saipan, Mariana Islands |
DeLeon Guerrero Soledad Borja | 21 Jun 1884 | Garapan, Saipan, Mariana Islands |
Delos Reyes Jose Dela Cruz | 3 Jun 1864 | Agana, Guam |
Delos Reyes Juan Dela Cruz | 6 Jun 1879 | Agana, Guam |
Diaz Rita DeLeon Guerrero | 19 Jun 1889 | Garapan, Saipan, Mariana Islands |
Diaz Rita DeLeon Guerrero | 1 Jun 1896 | Garapan, Saipan, Mariana Islands |
Duarte Pedro Enrique Millinchamp | 28 Jun 1891 | Guam |
Duenas Margarita Mendiola | 9 Jun 1890 | Guam |
Eclavea Catalina Reyes | 2 Jun 1896 | Guam |
Esteban Pedro Palomo | 11 Jun 1882 | Guam |
Flores Rosa Aguon | 4 Jun 1891 | Agana, Guam |
Garrido Jose Concepcion | 15 Jun 1884 | Guam |
Gonzales Rosa | 23 Jun 1872 | Bonin Islands, Chichijima, Ogasawara, Japan |
Guerrero Isabel Mafnas | 16 Jun 1895 | Guam |
Iglesias Antonio Quitugua | 23 Jun 1892 | Guam |
Leon Guerrero Juan Tenorio | 24 Jun 1877 | Guam |
Manglona Vicente Cruz | 13 Jun 1885 | Guam |
Martinez Don Pedro Pangelinan | 28 Jun 1892 | Guam |
Matanane Jose M. | 1 Jun 1890 | Guam |
Matanane Manuel Matanane | 26 Jun 1871 | Guam |
Materne Maria Mafnas | 30 Jun 1890 | Guam |
Miner Baldomero Perez | 2 Jun 1871 | Guam |
Namauleg Pedro C. | 30 Jun 1889 | Guam |
Pablo Juliana Diaz | 6 Jun 1889 | Guam |
Peredo Jose Camacho | 1 Jun 1887 | Guam |
Perez Don Atanasio Taitano | 5 Jun 1874 | Hong Kong |
Perez Luiza Taitano | 21 Jun 1898 | Guam |
Portusach Carlos | 6 Jun 1896 | Barcelona, Spain |
Rojas Pedro Atoigue | 10 Jun 1891 | Guam |
Sablan Manuel Delgado | 2 Jun 1882 | Guam |
Santos Ana Materne | 24 Jun 1891 | Agana, Guam |
Savory Benjamin | 24 Jun 1866 | Bonin Islands, Chichijima, Ogasawara, Japan |
Savory Isabella | 11 Jun 1872 | Bonin Islands, Chichijima, Ogasawara, Japan |
Scharff Ferdinand George Elimar | 4 Jun 1895 | Hanover, Germany |
Taitano Antonio Mafnas | 13 Jun 1884 | Guam |
Taitingfong Juan de Leon | 8 Jun 1889 | Agana, Guam |
Torres Dr. Jose Diaz | 1 Jun 1895 | Garapan, Saipan, Mariana Islands |
Untalan Antonia Blas | 13 Jun 1891 | Guam |
Villagomez Rafael Castro | 8 Jun 1883 | Agana, Guam |
Zablan Silvester | Jun 1875 | Hawaii |
1977 Guam Constitutional Convention Delegates
- Details
- Written by: Bernard Punzalan
In 1977, the following 29 individuals were elected by their respective villages to serve as Delegates to the Guam Constitutional Convention. Their mission was to draft a Constitution for Guam.
DELEGATE |
VILLAGE |
Benavente, Martin C. |
Dededo |
Borja, Gregorio M. |
Santa Rita |
Chargualaf, Edward W. |
Piti |
Crisostomo, Felix L. |
Mangilao |
Crisostomo, Thomas C. |
Talofofo |
Cruz, Francisco Q. |
Agat |
Cruz, Joseph C. |
Barrigada |
Diaz, Vicente T. |
Asan-Maina |
Eichner, Steve |
Tamuning |
Eustaquio, Roque B. |
Yona |
Flores, Frank T. |
Yigo |
Gutherz, Judith P. |
Mangilao |
Gutierrez, Carl T.C. |
Agana Heights |
Guzman, Frank C. |
Dededo |
Leon Guerrero, Anthony C. |
Yona |
Lujan, Frank G. |
Chalan Pago |
Martinez, Mark |
Tamuning |
Natividad, Ernesto A. |
Dededo |
Nelson, Theodore S. |
Mongmong-Toto-Maite |
Perez, Jesus L. |
Barrigada |
Perez, Vicente P. |
Mongmong-Toto-Maite |
Quinata, Jesus S. |
Umatac |
Reyes, Vicente C. |
Sinajana |
Sarmiento, Jose B. |
Santa Rita |
Soriano, Joseph F. |
Dededo |
Tedpahago, Jesus M. |
Merizo |
Tuquero, Jose |
Agat |
Underwood, James M. |
Agana |
Weakley, Donald I. Sr. |
Inarajan |
Won Pat, Judith T. |
Sinajana |
Yamashita, Antonio C. |
Tamuning |
Zamora, Prospero |
Dededo |
Memorial Day & Wake Island Defenders From Guam
- Details
- Written by: Bernard Punzalan
In memory of all the Chamorro people who have in one way or another made sacrifices during a time of unfortunate war. Our condolences and prayers are with the families of Corporal Dwayne W. Flores and Sergeant Eugene Aguon. God Bless them all as we honor them on Memorial Day!
1940 Census and Wake Island Defenders from Guam...
A while back ago I wrote one of the significances of the 1940 Census is that we can get a glimpse of where most people resided prior to World War II.
As I continue to transcribe the 1940 Census of Guam, I have noted that some people were enumerated as absent "ab." What's interesting to this category of Chamorros is that some of them were Pan American Airways employees were either working on Midway or Wake Island. Not too long after, some even became known as the "Wake Island Defenders," when World War II in the Pacific broke loose on 8 December 1941. This particular Census image shows Silvestre Arriola Sablan as absent with his family from Sumay.
If you research beyond the Census of Guam you will find some the names of these Chamorros also enumerated in Midway Island, within the Hawaii Census, "Pan American Airways Compound." This is also where I found Silvestre Arriola Sablan listed as a Mechanic on Midway Island.
Sablan is also listed as a Wake Island Defender in "I Manfåyi: Who's Who in Chamorro History Volume II (Hale’ta), 1997. He was killed in action on Wake Island.
There were 45 Chamorro men working for Pan Am on Wake Island. 10 were killed on the first day the Japanese attacked Wake Island. The remaining 35 helped to defend the Island, but were all captured and sent to prison camps in Japan and then to China. Two men died as prisoners of war while confined to the camp.
It was not until 1982 under Public Law 95-202, when the U.S. recognized these Chamorro men and granted them military veteran status. Mr. Francisco Chaco Carbullido is the last remaining survivor of the Defenders. He is also the father of the Honorable Chief Justice F. Phillip Carbullido.
The following is a list of the “Wake Island Defenders from Guam:”
Aguon |
Pedro F. |
Survivor |
Aquiningoc |
Antonio T. |
Survivor |
Baleto |
Jesus C. |
Survivor |
Blanco |
Francisco M. |
Killed in action |
Blas |
Emeterio O. |
Survivor |
Blas |
Jose P. |
Killed in action |
Cabrera |
Juan M. |
Killed in action |
Camacho |
Alfonso Meno |
Survivor |
Camacho |
Jesus P. |
Died in POW camp |
Carbullido |
Francisco Chaco |
Survivor |
Concepcion |
Jose M. |
Survivor |
Cruz |
Felix R. |
Survivor |
Flores |
James William |
Killed in action |
Flores |
Joseph C. |
Survivor |
Garcia |
Jesus A. |
Survivor |
Garrido |
Enrique S. |
Survivor |
Garrido |
Vicente A. |
Survivor |
Guerrero |
Felipe C. |
Killed in action |
Guerrero |
Manuel C. |
Survivor |
Iriarte |
Tomas D. |
Survivor |
Leon Guerrero |
Balvino D. |
Survivor |
Lizama |
Jose Q. |
Survivor |
Mafnas |
Jose S. |
Killed in action |
Manalisay |
Francisco T. |
Killed in action |
Manibusan |
Vicente C. |
Killed in action |
Marion |
Edward B. |
Survivor |
Mendiola |
Pedro P. |
Survivor |
Mendiola |
Sergio Maanao |
Survivor |
Mesa |
Vicente C. |
Survivor |
Namauleg |
Antonio E. |
Survivor |
Naputi |
Jesus B. |
Survivor |
Pablo |
Serafin A. |
Survivor |
Peredo |
Antonio Mendiola |
Survivor |
Quan |
Gregorio C. |
Killed in action |
Quidachay |
Juan R. |
Survivor |
Quinata |
Francisco B. |
Survivor |
Reyes |
Ignacio C. |
Survivor |
Rivera |
Juan U. |
Survivor |
Sablan |
Silvestre A. |
Killed in action |
Salas |
Joaquin C. |
Survivor |
San Nicolas |
Jose T. |
Survivor |
Santos |
Roque T. |
Survivor |
Taijeron |
Geronimo S. |
Died in POW camp |
Taijeron |
Vicente |
Survivor |
Villlagomez |
Francisco P. |
Survivor |
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