Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from around the Pacific!

~Felis Pasgua (Chamorro)
~Maligayan Pasko (Tagalog)
~Peren en Krismas (Pohnpeian)
~Monono ilo raaneoan Nejin (Marshallese)
~Falang e Baynag (Yapese)
~Tok Tapeng (Kosraean)
~Ungil Kurismas (Palauan)
~Pwapwan Kirisimas (Chuukese)
~Mele Kalikimaka (Hawaiian)
~Ameseighil ubwutiiwel Layi Luugh me raagh fee (Carolinian)

Storytelling Festival - November 10

UOG Culture and Learning Program

The University of Guam's Enrollment & Student Services in collaboration with the School of Education and Human Resources Office held a meaningful Culture & Learning Forum on October 19, 2012 with focus on "enriching and contextualizing teaching and learning in Pacific Island settings to improve achievement."

Participants were enlightened by various cultural speeches. Among a few of the highlights are the following:

"I have my own story, my own identity, and I need to accept that," said Dr. Isebong Asang, Palau Community College. Asang said that it's essential to have "knowledge, history and truth specific to Palau." MESULANG, Dr. Asang, for the inspirational speech!

Dr. Nicholas Goetzfridt shared that we must genuinely focus on ethnomathematics, the language of numbers. He said that it "requires different people around the world, and in this case the Pacific, to adapt (relevant mathemathetics)."

Traditional ethnomathematics in the Pacific involve "navigators of the past, navigators of the present, and values to live on," Goetzfridt said. He stressed the traditional ideas of patterns and that if the indigenous mathematics is unable to be carried out, it is done through imperial colonial means.

Our traditional mathematics need to be preserved in education, because it is the essence of communal identity. In fact, the UH Project MACIMISE is doing research to recover mathematical ideas and curriculum ideas to be used in schools. This will allow us to imagine with purpose and resolve for our own ethnomathematical identity. To get an insight of the experience on one of the UH candidates' first phase of Project MACIMISE, visit http://projectmacimise-rivera.blogspot.com.

Dr. Frankie Santos Laanan, SOE Dean focused on "Sieving Through Asian and Pacific Island Data on Culture Variation and Achievement." He mentioned about the importance of STEM. He further shared videos and websites to provide explicit, yet meaningful visuals pertaining to its relevance. Check out Pathway2.stemdegree.org for more information.

Students in the videos shared powerful messages, such as the following: "I'm just as good as anyone else in college." Another student said, "I deserve to be here. I work just as hard as anyone here."

The CARE was also highlighted and its relevance in research regarding Asian Americans, risk factors of AAPI students, and other critical areas of research. Laanan also presented statistics and terminologies, such as MSI-Minority serving institution and AANAPSI-Asian Americans Native Americans Pacific Islanders.

Laanan expressed the need to expand knowledge, broaden awareness, and build institutional capacity. He shared DOE and UOG data to stress the critical needs. He mentioned that of the 31,000 students in DOE, there is a high ESL population. This entails that we are faced with the challenge to meet the unique needs of ELLs.

Unfortunately, Guam's latest SAT10 performance data shows low scores. This makes us question what's happening in these areas. "What are we going to do about it? How do we serve these students? What do we do to ensure that they understand?" Laanan asked.

He presented student demographics, trends, enrollment by ethnicity, gender, and status. He also shared that for the UOG English placement, 2/3 placed in developmental English (EN085 and EN100).

Laanan further shared retention and graduation tracking by program statistics, so that we can reflect and analyze the data. He then showed a Robert Feldman video that mentioned we need to take action, so that we don't endanger college student success. We need to provide opportunities for first year experiences before college students arrive on campus.

Dr. Michael Bevacqua focused on decolonization. He said that Guam is a colony and shared the expansive definition of decolonization. He stated that some people think that "if he (colonial power) ever leaves, all the things disappear" or "so long as the colonizer is in power, you are out of luck."

He questioned, "What is the role the university should take in regards to this situation?" He stressed that we should "look more regional for things," because it's important that we tap on our own resources that are within reach.

UOG President, Dr. Robert Underwood, also highlighted the importance of culture and education. "Education is one through which cultural knowledge is formulated," he said.

Underwood said, "It takes the strength of soul for a child to struggle, to travel, to succeed." He reminded participants to make a difference. "As you navigate, you must help them learn," he said.

He highlighted culture as a process and that we must understand where those places are. Underwood further questioned, "What do we do about our students? What do we know about our students? Did we do anything about it (data performance)?"

Enjoy the following snapshots taken during the forum!

Dr. Robert Underwood, UOG President, says his speech on culture and learning.

Dr. Isebong Asang, Palau Community College Professor, conducts her presentation titled, "Palauan Epistemology: Implications on Teaching & Learning."

Dr. Frankie Santos Laanan, SOE Dean, conducts his presentation titled, "Sieving Through Asian and Pacific Island Data on Culture Variation and Achievement."

Dr. Michael Lujan Bevacqua conducts his presentation titled, "Decolonization at the University of Guam."

Larry Gamboa, UOG Chief Human Resources Officer, welcomes the participants of the Culture & Learning Forum.

Dr. Nicholas Goetzfridt conducts his presentation titled, "Ethnomathematics in Micronesia."

I SONGSONG SINAJANA: A PHOTO COLLECTION OF SINAJANA

INVITATION TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY:

As part of the Sinajana Fiesta activities this year, you are cordially invited to the exhibit opening of I SONGSONG SINAJANA:  A PHOTO COLLECTION OF SINAJANA this coming WEDNESDAY, October 24, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. at the Sinajana Community Center exhibit hall.  The photo exhibit showcases the L. Ron Hubbard Collection of black and white photos of the resettlement of Sinajana village by WWII refugees from both old Sinajana, Hagatna and surrounding areas.  As a result of the WWII resettlement, this ancient village (indicated in 17th century records) became the largest village in Guam with many residents establishing themselves as parishioners of St. Jude Church.  The collection dates from late 19th century to post Urban Renewal period.  The exhibit was made possible through a grant from the Guam Visitors Bureau as a way of augmenting and enhancing Chamorro cultural celebrations.  Photos were also provided by Sinajana residents, the Capuchin Collection, and the Micronesian Area Research Center at UOG.

The multi-page exhibit catalogue will be provided to the first 100 signed-in guests--one per family.

PLEASE COME, SEE and ENJOY OUR EXHIBIT of over 50 photos.  And, please kindly pass this invitation on to relatives, friends, off-island guests and military visitors.  The Exhibit Hall will also be opened from Thursday, Oct. 25 to Monday, Oct. 29, 10a.m. to 5:00p.m.

Respectfully,

HOPE A. CRISTOBAL 

and WILLIAM L. HERNANDEZ, Curators

on behalf of the 2012 SINAJANA JUBILEE FIESTA COMMITTEE

Peter Onedera, Chairperson & PIBBA International President

Guam will host the 32nd Annual International PIBBA Conference

Get ready for the upcoming PIBBA Conference in Guam in July 2013! Stay tuned, and visit http://pibbainternational.blogspot.com or http://pibbaguam.blogspot.com for updates!

Guam Micronesia Island Fair Eventful

Hafa Adai!  Despite the rain, the Guam Micronesia Island Fair was meaningful.  It is the annual signature cultural event of the Guam Visitors Bureau with presentations of the vibrant cultures of Micronesia. This year’s theme, Celebrating 25 Years of Unity Through Culture, commemorates and reinforces the solidarity we have shared through our arts and traditions.

Participants were able to experience the culture and arts of Micronesia on October 5, 6 and 7.  Delegations from the Federated States of Micronesia, Rota, Saipan and Tinian and the republics of Kiribati, Nauru, the Marshall Islands and Palau, gathered on Guam to commemorate the region’s largest cultural event. They had the opportunity to meet Micronesia’s master carvers, blacksmiths, traditional fishing experts, jewelers, weavers, dancers, musicians and chefs.

SNAPSHOTS OF CULTURAL PERFORMANCES

Source:  Guam Visitors Bureau
Images:  Pacific Daily News

PIBBA Gathering

Pacific Islands Bilingual Bicultural Association (PIBBA) members gathered together for a banana split treat upon the arrival of Senator Shelten G. Neth, PIBBA Immediate Past President, at the Haagen Dazs parlor at the Fiesta Resort in Tumon, Guam.

FESTPAC Snapshots, Honiara, Solomon Islands

The FESTPAC held July 1-14, 2012 in Honiara, Solomon Islands was a success!  Enjoy the following snapshots taken during this memorable event.  To view the entire album of photos, visit https://plus.google.com/photos/101365546034865539689/albums/5766627943961257377?authkey=CNHKw8Xfn6OBKw

31st Annual International PIBBA Conference Snapshots

Pohnpei cultural presentation during the PIBBA Conference

PIBBA morning gathering prior to the Keynote speech

L-R: Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, Elcid Joseph, Rickson Higgins, and Dr. Jose Q. Cruz.

L-R: Dr. Jose Q. Cruz, Zander Refilong, Senator Shelten G. Neth, and Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera.

PIBBA participants gear up for the conference

Dr. David Hough, PIBBA Keynote Speaker

PIBBA participants gather together after the evening keynote speech by Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera.

Congratulations newly-elected PIBBA International Officers! Front row L-R: Dr. Jose Q. Cruz, Historian; Rosa Salas Palomo, Treasurer; and Shelten G. Neth, Immediate Past President. Back row L-R: Illuminanda "Lumi" Bermudes, Secretary; Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, Webmaster; and Masa-Aki Emesiochl, President-Elect.  Not pictured is Peter Onedera, PIBBA Internatioinal President. 

Rosario family gathering with Dr. Rivera, Clara Rosario, and Dr. Greg Tainatongo.

Pohnpei passes the key to Guam for PIBBA's next Conference in 2013. L-R: Dr. Jose Q. Cruz and Joseph Villazon, Director of Pohnpei Department of Education.

April is National Poetry Month

National Poetry Month*

Inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996, National Poetry Month (NPM) is now held every April, when schools, libraries, publishers, booksellers, literary organizations, and poets around the country come together to celebrate poetry and its vital importance in American culture.  Thousands of businesses and organizations participate through festivals, readings, workshops, book displays, and various other events.

	What is National Poetry Month?
	30 Ways to Celebrate NPM
	Celebration Highlights

In celebration of National Poetry Month, the following is a poem I wrote.  Enjoy!

MY POETRY

My imagination runs wild,
As I grab a pen and write away.
The emotions linger about,
Pushing me to set it free.
It shall be set free in the words that I write.
It shall be set free in the feelings that I express.
It shall be set free, just by knowing it is mine.
My own thoughts,
My own words,
My own feelings --
That in itself is poetry,
Whether it is liked by others or not;
I know this to be true,
That as long as it is dear to my heart,
It's as special as can be,
And no one can deny that it is poetry!
©mnrivera


*Source: www.poets.org

PIBBA/Ginen I Hila Story Hour at the Hagatna Public Library

PIBBA, in conjunction with Ginen I Hila, will be providing storytelling/arts and crafts on February 4, 11, 18, and 25 at the Hagatna Public Library. The story hour is from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Join us for a culturally-enriched celebration of stories!