On Saturday, Dec. 12, a local band, Smiles Davis, eased back to playing live with an evening performance at the Coffee Slut coffee shop in Agana. They performed cover songs ranging from Maxwell, Daniel Caesar and Childish Gambino. 

The four-piece ensemble includes Vince Mesa on guitar, Martin Honor doing the main vocals and the keys, RJ Aguon on the drums and Eric Tydingco on the bass. 

According to Mesa, the band has only done four gigs so far. This recent performance is the second time they’ve played live again since the lockdown. 

Smiles Davis first formed in February earlier this year. However, each of the band members have all created music separately before the formation of the band. 

“I’ve played with a lot of groups over the years and I’ve recorded with a lot of artists,” Mesa said. “But whenever you find a good drum and bass combo, you have to hold on to that.” 

Mesa remains hopeful for gigs and bookings in the future. 

“We do what it takes [to get back],” Mesa said. 

For those interested in booking the band, contact or visit the Smiles Davis Instagram page at @smilesdavis671.

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The triathlon was the first off-road XTRAIL challenge in five years.

James Sardea, owner of Urban Fitness and organizer of the event, works to keep Guam moving and active in spite of the pandemic. 

“People really miss it,” Sardea said, regarding the experience of participating in challenges like the triathlon. 

He emphasized how the experience was different compared to those that were not restricted by the pandemic. The allotted number of participants was kept low to maintain social distancing guidelines.

The event was split into two categories: 10 competitive personal goal participants and 10 recreational personal goal participants. 

Athletes dove head-first into the event, starting with a 1000-yard swim at the Lotte Triangle by Tumon Beach. 

They then made their way up to the Two Lovers Point Trail, circling two laps around the northern part of the track. 

After returning to the starting point at Lotte Hotel transition parking, participants ran from Gun Beach to Ypao Beach, finishing off by running the road back to the start.

First place finisher of the challenge and longtime triathlon competitor, Cameron O’Neal, enjoyed another experience of challenging himself and pushing the limits with familiar faces.

“There’s a lot of support too,” O’Neal said. “I’ve got friends that weren’t in the race, but still came out to support. That’s the goodness of a tight-knit community like this.”

The triathlon started at 6:30 a.m., but participants finished to their own accord.

Each one received a finishers medal, an SMG BOCO endurance hat, an Urban Fitness Sports towel, and a UGM race pack for completing the challenge.

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With the spread of COVID-19 on Guam, fitness centers and gyms closed their doors to help curb the spread. Recently, these facilities reopened under strict guidelines. One of these facilities is Baller’s Gym.

Located in Harmon Industrial Park, Baller’s Gym is a basketball training facility that assists in the training of local basketball players from high school, college or recreational leagues.

The facility hosts state of the art training equipment, to hone every aspect of the players skill set from shooting, dribbling and passing.

Sed Linsangan, an employee at Baller’s Gym, said that the facility has been doing well despite the restrictions COVID-19 has on the basketball community on Guam.

Since the pandemic, Baller’s Gym focused on sanitization and the health of the players at their facility.

“[We are always] trying to make sure everyone really is healthy,” said Linsangan.

The facility routinely disinfects its court and equipment and ensures that players have facemasks and their temperatures checked upon entering the facility.

Those looking to schedule a training session with Baller’s Gym can message them on their Facebook or Instagram or through their cell at (671) 649-6997.

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Steel Athletics suspended group fitness activities in May because of the island lockdown. They have since started offering services to their members with safety precautions in mind.

Instagram Live workouts were a great way for the Steel Athletics coaches to motivate themselves and their members to continue their fitness journey despite the pandemic.

“I wanted to provide a workout where we can all still be together and be supportive. I know how it is to try to self-motivate when no one’s around, it’s hard,” Coach JJ said.

Steel Athletics opened its doors in January 2017. Their mission was to create a facility for like-minded people who put health and fitness as a priority.

Coach JJ and his wife, Francesca Ambrose, own and manage the facility in Tamuning.

“We’ve grown a community that is quite amazing. It happened so organically, without us even thinking about it,” Ambrose said.

For more information on Steel Athletics membership and class schedules, visit their website at steelathleticsguam.com or their Instagram at @steelathletics.

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Customers drove by their stand at Sagan Kotturan Chamoru Cultural Center and picked up dragon fruits, lemmai chips, microgreens, egg-laying chicks, and more.

GSC purchases local farmers’ excess produce and uses Farm Fresh Produce to teach the community about produce that exists on the island.

Kristin Oberiano, secretary of GSC, is grateful for the community’s excitement in supporting farmers and helping the local agriculture economy grow.

“Being part of Farm Fresh Produce, we get to know farmers and we get to know where our food is coming from, and we want to share that with the rest of the island’s community,” said Oberiano.

Customers can pick up Farm Fresh Produce orders at Sagan Kotturan Chamoru Cultural Center every Thursday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

To place an order, visit their website at gusustainable.org. Follow their Instagram for more updates on their “Supporting Farmers, Sustaining Families” initiative at @gusustainable.

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Mass was held at 7:30 a.m. on Oct. 24, 2020 and was presided by Father Val Rodriguez, the Parochial Administrator of the church.

Inside, parishioners prayed for those affected by COVID-19 and for the safety of frontline workers

Blue masking tape cordoned off sections of the chapel’s pews. The subtle tone of the church’s infrared thermometer chimed as more worshipers joined for Mass.

Outside, speakers and projectors played the sermon for residents attending from their vehicles.

Immaculate Heart of Mary reopened their doors in early October at 25% occupancy in accordance to Pandemic Condition of Readiness 1 protocols.

For the church, the changes COVID-19 made were difficult, however, Rose Marie Edquilane, a member of parish staff, says that the church was able to adapt.

 “We’ve met every challenge admirably to bring spiritual comfort to the maximum extend possible with the protocols set forth by out archdiocese,” said Edquilane.

Edquilane noted that a major issue the church faces are finances but remains strong in her faith in God and in her congregation to face this challenge. 

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On the second day, they distributed 350 packages in total. Each package contained dried and canned non-perishable foods.

Some of the items inside of the package included rice, pasta noodles, tomato sauce, and banana chips.

For each distribution, the staff at the Asan-Maina Mayor’s Office employed sanitization guidelines.

These measures ensured the safety of both the staff and the residents.

They had packs of gloves, masks, wipes and bottles of both hand sanitizer and alcohol ready at their station for the next exchange.

These food distributions have been going on for months since the pandemic began. This event was part of the last wave of food distributions for October in the southern villages. 

According to Marie Toves, a staff member at the Asan-Maina Mayor’s Office, these food distributions allowed for them to get to know the people in the village. 

Another staff member, Ben Untalan, adds on to how these distributions have assisted the community during these hard times. 

“Doing this is very good for the people,” Untalan said. “With the crisis going on [with] COVID-19, people need help.”

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The organization received self-care products such as :

• Shampoo
• Toothpaste
• Diapers
• Wipes 
• Toothbrushes
• Body lotion and 
• Toilet tissue

The goal of the event was to support families that are not able to afford the necessities during these times. The organization receives many requests for various types of supplies, but hygienic supplies were the most requested.

One of the biggest challenges include the collective’s volunteer size. They receive about 200 calls from individuals who were impacted by the pandemic seeking assistance. They currently lack volunteers and are unable to provide the help needed to these individuals.

Para Todus Hit is a mutual aid collective, with community members coming together to meet the needs of the community. Throughout the collective runs the values of the Chamorro principles, such as Inafa’maolek and Chenchule’. 

Families in need may contact them at 482-8950 or message them on Instagram at @para.todus.hit.

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Le Velle is currently on her last semester at the University of Guam doing two internships and working as a full-time teacher at Tiyan High School.

With this school year being only her 3^rd year teaching, there have been some pros and cons having to transition from traditional face-to-face to online learning.

“It was rough at first, but now with a month into teaching online and having a set schedule for preparing packets and lessons, I’ve created a routine to help me stay on track and also give myself some free time to spend with family and my dog, Hånao,” said Le Velle.   

Le Velle mentioned that one of the cons of teaching online is not being able to connect and see her students regularly.

With her background in Social Work and Counseling, some of her interests include helping others, providing unconditional support to her loved ones and self-care.

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Wallis has been employed at T Galleria by DFS in Tumon for 26 years. She was unfortunately furloughed by her employer in March.

With all the time she spends at home, Wallis has decided to take up new hobbies. She has begun growing and harvesting vegetables for healthy home-cooked meals.

“There’s not much to do, especially since I live alone, so I started gardening and going for a run every day. I noticed that most of my neighbors have been doing the same thing.”

Wallis is also grateful for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefit. Aside from her health, much of her concerns are about financially supporting herself while being unemployed.

“I’m able to save some money and make meals out of my vegetables, but PUA still helps a lot. It’s hard to find another way of income for buying food and necessities,” said Wallis.

Wallis continues to grow her garden and, like many furloughed employees, anxiously waits to go back to work.

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