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!

Happy New Year!

Felis Anu Nuebu (Chamorro)

Feliz Ano Nuevo (Spanish)

Parakapw Mwahu (Pohnpei)

Ungil Becheserrak (Palau)

Akemashite Omedeto Gozaimasu (Japanese)

Hau'oli Makahiki Hou (Hawaiian)

Sut dal kum mum (Korean)

Gung Hay Fat Choy (Chinese)

Chúc Mung Nam Moi (Vietnamese)

May the year 2012 bring you abundant blessings filled with much love, joy, peace, and happiness!

Image source: happynewyearsresolution.blogspot.com

Merry Christmas from around the Pacific!

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)