Guma’ Chamorro to open in August

Photo shows the cultural and tourism entities supporting the historic grand opening of Guma’ Chamorro. Front row, from left, Marianas Visitors Authoruty managing director Priscilla M. Iakopo, Department of Community and Cultural Affairs Secretary Joseph P. Deleon Guerrero, Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, founder Dorisann Aldan-Atalig, founder Sue Castro-Cabrera, House of Chamorro-CNMI PIO John “Bolis” Gonzales, and founder/adviser Patrick D. Cabrera. Back row, from left, executive assistant for Carolinian Affairs John I. Tagabuel, founder/adviser David DLG Atalig, resident executive assistant for Indigenous Affairs Roman Tudela Jr., and chief of staff Will Castro. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Roughly six years since the original founders envisioned building and showcasing the culture, language, and traditions of the indigenous Chamorro people of the Marianas Islands archipelago, the House of Chamorros, a 501(c)3 non-profit, is proud to announce that the Guma’ Chamorro will be christened at the grand opening that’s scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022, from 10am to 5pm at the Balboa Park in San Diego, California.

The grand opening and housewarming blessing will be in conjunction with the annual “Hafa Adai Festival.” The HOC/HAF raffle drawing will be held on Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, at 5pm.

Upon opening its doors, the Guma’ Chamorro will offer visitors a glimpse of the culture, history, traditions, unique language, and sights and sounds of the lush tropical flora and fauna of the Chamorro peoples’ homeland from thousands of miles away. It will feature and showcase cultural art, information, and resource all afternoon on weekends year-round, with volunteer hosts trained to answer questions, educate, and interact with visitors. It will also provide lawn cultural and tourism marketing programs, cultural performances and immersion through arts, folklore, music, dance, Chamorro language, and indigenous Chamorro cuisine.

Furthermore, it will develop and present historical and educational programs with exhibits, presentations, seminars, and workshops to promote and preserve the culture, traditions, and arts of the indigenous Chamorro people of the Northern Marianas and Guam. Construction was made possible through the support and contributions of donors and benefactors from around the world.

All roads lead to Balboa Park on Aug. 20, 2022, as all indigenous Chamorro in the Marianas, all Chamorro diaspora living abroad and oversees, and citizens from everywhere in the world are invited to mark their calendars and join and attend.

HOC is an integral program supported by the Chamorro Optimist Club San Diego that was accepted in 2016, as a full member of the House of Pacific Relations that oversees the International Cottages campus in Balboa Park. HOC also simultaneously joined the New International Cottages Committee, composed of HPR members interested in building their respective cottages. It hosts about 14 million visitors annually, including 335,000 visitors in two days and two nights annually during December Nights festival. HPR oversees the International Cottages, a consortium of “houses” representing 33 countries, which were originally built for the 1935 World Exposition.

Balboa Park is the cultural epicenter of the world as a living lab and cultural resource that celebrates the cultural diversity of San Diego as a melting pot of world cultures coexisting in harmony, peace, and goodwill. The park spans 1,200 acres spread across an urban area of open community spaces, gardens, and walking paths with museums, theatres, and the San Diego Zoo.

The House of Chamorro has a cooperative relationship with the Guam Visitors Bureau and the Marianas Visitors Authority to promote and market Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands to the 14 million visitors of Balboa Park annually. This cooperation seeks to support Guma’ Chamorro in bringing cultural practitioners to present the Chamorro culture (and Carolinian for the CNMI) at Balboa Park and throughout San Diego County, known to have the largest diaspora of indigenous Chamorro (and Carolinians for the CNMI) anywhere beyond the shores of the Marianas archipelago.

Imagining the House of Chamorros being permanently housed at an internationally prominent location at the Hall of Nations Balboa Park, Gov. Ralph DLG Torres could not contain his excitement.

“Guma’ Chamorro is not just a physical structure that stands in the cultural epicenter of the west coast of the United States. More than that, it proudly stands as an edifice of lasting symbolism and tribute to the instinctual resilience and humble pride of our people of the Marianas together with Guam, showcasing our unique language, culture, tradition, arts, and food that will reverberate generation after generation in the years to come,” he said.

The House of Chamorros is led by its president, Jeffrey J. Macaraeg, the HOC board of directors, HOC Guam and CNMI liaisons, and program chairs. The HOC-CNMI liaison are Dorisann Aldan-Atalig, Susan Castro-Cabrera, HOC-CNMI PIO John O. Gonzales “Bolis”, and HOC-CNMI advisors David DLG. Atalig and Patrick D. Cabrera. (PR)