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Natural Destiny (Book Commentary)
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- Written by: Bernard Punzalan
BOOK COMMENTARY
Sherry Dixon. (2012). Natural Destiny. Sherry Dixon: USA. 208 pp. ISBN 978-1477675120
commentary by
Bernard T. Punzalan
Chamorro Roots Genealogy Project™
12 September 2012
Natural Destiny is a narration of events based on a true story of Catalina Bernidita “Bernie” Borja Aquiningoc. The author, Sherry Dixon, is Auntie Bernie’s second eldest child of seven children, documenting and sharing some of her mother’s life experiences as a child and as a prisoner of war during the World War II Japanese occupation of Guam. Auntie Bernie is a Chamorro with familial ties in Saipan, but was raised on Guam.
Sherry professes that the original purpose for writing this book was to honor her mom. It was not until she realized, during her writing group sessions, that many of her peers did not know about Guam, and just how much the Chamorro people suffered, sacrificed and endured the fate of war and imprisonment on their very own homeland. She not only dedicates this book to her mother, but “to the thousands of Guamanians who struggled during the Japanese occupation during World War II.”
Sherry shares with us some very intense details of her mother’s childhood life experiences and also while in the Mannengon prison camp as a child. Auntie Bernie’s faith is constantly tested from unfortunate to horrific encounters. I am certain some will find surprises as I did with certain outcomes or even within the narrated methods of the story. You will surely find that while Auntie Bernie faces certain situations she temporarily tunes out the situation by reminiscing some good memories that seem to help her to unknowingly draw out some of her very own personal resilience. The story also conveys some Chamorro core values with regards to respect and family; the latter whether a blood relative or not.
Many Chamorro people have documented their atrocious experiences of the war. Some have recorded their accounts during their initial war claim application in 1946 and through the many years of testimonial proceedings of Guam’s war claim efforts for judicial parity. However and unfortunately, few Chamorro families have published their stories in a book. Granted, it is not an easy thing to do and many people do not have the resources to do it. This book is a part of Chamorro history and a priceless family legacy to share with others for generations to come. We must not forget the Chamorro peoples’ history and the moral/immoral lessons they have confronted and learned from the past, and which provide for the foundation of their resilience.
I enjoyed reading Natural Destiny (a spot-on title for this kind of story); the manner in which Sherry has organized the chapters, and learning more details of some of the events that took place within the Mannengon concentration camp. Many Americans do not realize that Guam was not just only liberated from the Japanese, but the primary purpose for the U.S. retaking Guam and the Mariana Islands for military strategic purposes indisputably changed the course of World War II in the Pacific. The Chamorro people have sacrificed and continue to sacrifice much more for the United States than people realize. I strongly encourage reading Auntie Bernie’s story.
Agao: Chamorro Names in History
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- Written by: Bernard Punzalan
In 1672, Agao, a Chamorro warrior, narrowly escaped death through "the swiftness of his feet," from a Spaniard while accompanying Maga'lahi Hurao.
"On the eleventh of May, one of our soldiers encountered two natives who had been leaders of the war in Guam. It happened that one of these natives was Hurao, who tried to exterminate the fathers and the Spaniards. The sight of him reminded the Spaniard of the past war, and he ran Hurao through with his sword, leaving him dead, and would have done the same with the other, Agao, if the latter had not availed himself of the swiftness of his feet." (Garcia, 2004:386)
Reference:
Francisco Garcia. 2004. The Life and Martyrdom of the Venerable Father Diego Luis de San Vitores. Guam: University of Guam
Database Update 4 September 2012
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- Written by: Bernard Punzalan
The database has been updated and has grown from 208, 525 to 213,224. The 1930 Census transcriptions for District 1 and District 5 (both municipalities of Agana) have been added as well as other updates and new records. The remaining Districts to be transcribed, reviewed, and proofed for the 1930 Census are District 4 and the Military District, which is on-going. The transcription of the 1940 Census will also begin once we complete the 1930s.
Thank you for your patience in these database updates!
Don Justo Dela Cruz
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- Written by: Bernard Punzalan
Don Justo dela Cruz (b. abt 1780). In 1819, Don Justo de la Cruz held a variety positions. (Freycinet, 1819). He was a Captain of the First Company of the Spanish Infantry, Secretary to the Governor and the Administrator of the Royal College of St Jean de Letran (aka Collegio San Juan de Letran), established in 1669 by Father Diego Luis de San Vitores). (Yamashita, 2009)
During Dumont d'Urville's visit to Guam in 1828, Don Justo told d'Urville that he was a direct descendant of Matapang.(Farrell, 2011) He is also known as the "last pure Chamorro," from Captain Louis de Freycinet of the U'ranie. (Monning, 2007)
However so and in contrast, according to Paul Carano, "it was recorded that the last native believed to be a pure blooded Chamorro died [in 1826]." (Carano, 1975)
References:
Paul Carano. 1975. Guam at a Glance. Guam Recorder, 5(1), pg.54. Guam: University of Guam
Don A. Farrell. 2011. History of the Mariana Islands to Partition, pg.239. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Public School System.
Laurel A. Monnig. 2007. Proving Chamorro: Indigenous Narratives of Race, Identity, and Decolonization on Guam. Urbana, IL: University of Illinois
Louis Claude de Freycinet. 1819. An Account of the Corvette L'Uranie's Sojourn at the Mariana Islands.
Velma Yamashita, MA, ' Colegio de San Juan de Letrán', referenced August 1, 2012, © 2009 Guampedia™, URL: http://guampedia.com/spanish-era-colegio-de-san-juan-de-letran/
History of the Mariana Islands to Partition
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- Written by: Bernard Punzalan
By Don A. Farrell. This first edition was recently published in 2011. It is a revision and update of the first eight chapters of the book "History of the Northern Mariana Islands," that was published in 1991. According to Farrell:
"Its purpose is twofold: a teaching tool for middle school history teachers and a general history of the Islands. It begins with an explanation of the geological formation of the Mariana Islands, extends through the periods of human habitation, development of the Chamorro and Carolinian cultures, and colonization by Spain; and ends at the point of political partition of these islands as a result of America's war with Spain in 1898."
This book is a great read with many vibrant photos.
You can order it at: http://www.cnmipss.org/commissioner-of-education/facts-figures/book-sales/
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