For this week's featured article I dedicate to our Taotao Sakman!
I can hardly begin to convey my feelings when I hear about what our people have done to bring back to life one our past cultural practices that was at one time the epitome of oceanic navigation. I get goose bumps just knowing all the progress that has been made to date of the Sakman Chamorro Project and to learn more about this long lost art and science of our ancestors.
If you were unable to attend the 2nd Marianas History Conference (this past 30-31 August 2013) here's another opportunity to hear about the Sakman history, revival and progress that has taken place.
On September 10, 2013, Master Carver Mario Reyes Borja, Manggåfan Toliok yan Budoki, will deliver his presentation, "Our Sakman Story: A Sentence in History,' at the American Memorial Park Visitors Center Theater in Saipan.
According to the Sakman Chamorro FaceBook page description the following people are a part this historic revival endeavor (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sakman-Chamorro/114071215327788):
Mario Reyes Borja (Master Carver) with Carvers: George Santos (Captain), Ray LG Sablan (Master Lasher), Greg Diaz (Master Procurement), Tony Maguadog (Master Sailmaker), Joey Cepeda (Sheeter), Vince Santos (Carver), Robert Goldkamp (Master Rigger), Tony Borja (Carver), Ben Lizama (Master Musician), Fred Blas (Master Craftsman), Tommy Long (Master Logistics), Phil Santos (Equipment), Jayvin Chargualaf, Jahi Chargualaf, Laurence Goldkamp, (Bailer), Richard Borja, Nathan Borja, Frank Santiago.
Support Team: JoJo Borja, Cutie Diaz, Linda Goldkamp, Janice Waller Bouffiou, Loling Cepeda, Jess Bataik Cruz, Janessa Cruz, Louann Guzman, Tanya Chargualaf Taimanglo, June Hawkins, Gene Roche, Micki Davis, and Research Team: Emma & Pete Perez
Biba Taotao Sakman!
About Mario Reyes Borja...
Mario is currently a member of the National Organization of Chamorro Veterans in America (NOCVA). The following information was extracted from the NOCVA website...
Mario was born in Chalan Kanoa, Saipan. He is one of the twelve children of Joaquin Flores Borja of Palau (Manggåfan Budoki) and Magdalena Sablan Reyes (Manggåfan Toliok) of Saipan. Mario is married to JoJo Ann Perez Aguon (Manggåfan Makaka – Bali Tres) and they have no children.
After retiring from 22 years with the U.S. Air Force, he and his wife began to care for his ailing mother until she passed away some 13 years later.
Following that, Mario began to focus on the Chamorro culture and language. He built the first Chamorro "galaide," a native fishing canoe, east of the Mariana Islands. The canoe serves as ambassador, bringing awareness about who the Chamorro people are.
Mario wrote and choreographed the "Galaide TaoTao Tano" show which tells the story of ancient fishermen confronting their ancestral spirits. As the taotao tano – the people of the land – they strengthen their bravery in preparation for a fishing trip.
Mario is also the first official Chamorro interpreter for the federal court systems. He compiled a list of court-related terms in the Chamorro language and continues to mentor others.
In addition, Mario's Chamorro outreach efforts have enabled him to work tirelessly through CHE'LU Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. He collaborated with the Jacobs Foundation in the design and building of an A-Frame structure called the "Guma Chamorro." This cultural house symbolizes the celebration of Chamorro culture.
Mario's leadership in the Sakman Chamorro Project extends to the art of canoe building, sailing and navigation. In October 2009, Mario and his CHE'LU team spearheaded the "Ininan Sakman Chamorro Summit" at the University of Guam calling on local canoe builders and Chamorro linguists to agree on what to call the various parts of the canoe. This led to another project that consolidated terminologies into a lexicon for Chamorro canoes of yore.
Governor Felix Camacho bestowed Mario the Guahan Award for his leadership. In appreciation, Governor Eddie Calvo appointed Mario and his crew members Ambassadors of Guam. Mario continues to lead the team as they aspire to sail to the Mariana Islands by 2013-2014.
The completion of the Sakman Chamorro Project involves extensive training in the art of sailing and navigation without the use of instruments. Mario continues to focus on this resurrected art of canoe building to transition to future generations of Chamorros.
He mentors elders and youth around the aspects of tooling, carving and fabrication of the canoe, as well as the applications of math and science. He hopes they will in turn mentor their peers thus perpetuating the Chamorro culture and language through the art of canoe building.
