He gives credit to his advisor and mentor, John Salas, saying that Salas had everything to do with the success that Leon Guerrero has accomplished since graduating from UOG. 

Salas was a major influence in Leon Guerrero’s decision to choose the hospitality management route 

“When I got into the hospitality management division, I kicked it into full gear. I moved quickly and I got my degree. I was on the Dean’s List towards the end.”

Leon Guerrero has been working with United Airlines since 1996, back when it was known as Continental Airlines. He has since worked his way up the ranks and is now a system operations representative. “As the ‘middleman’ between everyone within the airlines, this line of work can be demanding, especially during peak hours of traffic within the airport.”

Outside of his main line of work at United, Leon Guerrero also takes time to do freelance writing for Guam Sports Network. He says that continuing to work for GSPN is his outlet for fun. 

His reasoning for choosing this specific line of work is that he wants to help the community and finds great satisfaction in uplifting the athletes on the island. “Sports has always been an avenue…an alternative for not going out and committing crime or doing drugs. Sports is that thing that they do to combat that,” Leon Guerrero shares. 

With GSPN, he has assisted in throwing events such as pre-season tournaments and all-star games, and he has gone overseas to cover local athletes in their respective sports.

Leon Guerrero is part of Guam’s national team for the sport and has gone overseas to compete in international tournaments. In 2019, he earned the title of the highest ranking Guamanian to participate in the Bowling World Cup, placing tenth. He continues to compete in the sport and is planning on attending the Philippine International Open in May.

Driven by his want to elevate young athletes combined with his experience with bowling, Leon Guerrero has proven to be a vital part in the development of a bowling league for the Independent Interscholastic Athletic Association of Guam. 

The IIAAG bowling league is a project that Leon Guerrero is spending a lot of time with. All of the coaching is free and he ensures himself moments with most schools involved to provide as much assistance as he can to young bowlers in the league. 

Many of the athletes are completely new to sports. “They’re finding out that this sport of bowling is something that they can challenge themselves with – mentally and physically.”

To current students at UOG that are interested in his career path or are following a similar degree program to him, Leon Guerrero wants to let you know that there are jobs out there for you! He has continuously seen more jobs opening up and is confident that UOG students have the education to excel in the field.

The post Professional Bowler, Freelance Journalist, UOG Alum: Jay Leon Guerrero appeared first on The Triton's Call.

May graduated from the University of Guam in 2014 with a Bachelor’s degree in English and continued her education to then receive a Master’s degree in 2017 for Business Administration. 

It was during her time at UOG that May experienced what she refers to as, “an awakening to the injustices of living in a modern day colony.” According to May, the most influential courses that opened her eyes to such a reality included political science, CHamoru and humanities.

May also gives credit to the Fellows for Inquiry Towards Enlightenment Club, or F.I.T.E. Club, which she was a member of, for teaching her about what it takes to be an activist. “We would attend speeches held by politicians on campus and play the role of watchdogs.” 

Addressing students currently attending UOG, May shares her hopes in being able to find the path that feels right, feeling strongly about this topic as she went through multiple major changes before settling on English. “Switch gears and adjust plans until you find what is right for you.” 

“I continue to make big decisions and shifts in my life trusting my gut instincts and prioritizing that the work I do aligns with my values.” May believes that finding comfort in your plans while in college will follow into your future, so it is good to practice allowing yourself to do what satisfies you.

Since graduating, May has taken on many roles from marketing, to communications specialist, to business owner. 

Her small business, Lole’ Handmade, exhibits her dedication to zero-waste and sustainability as her products consist of handmade body care products, recycled glass jewelry and upcycled wine bottle candles. 

May frequently takes part in organizing events for the community with the goal of raising awareness about environmental and cultural justice issues in Guåhan. 

Associated with groups such as Hita Litekyan, Micronesia Climate Change Alliance, I Hagan Famalåo’an Guåhan and the Mana’adahi Coalition, May’s passion for such advocacy was kickstarted by her family’s loss of land. 

Alongside other local families, May is unable to connect to her ancestors through their land due to the military taking possession of the northernmost area of Guam, where her family’s beach was located. 

For her most recent project, May returned to the UOG campus to present the final product: a three part series of short films called For Love of Water. 

Each of the three films cover the importance of water travel from Guam to Hawaii and are entitled Protecting Guam’s Aquifer, Pacifika Solidarity and Toxic Legacy. Through these films, May hopes to educate viewers on topics such as how locals of the Pacific have traditions connecting them to water and how unnatural levels of carcinogens being found in the islands’ water are making it difficult to prosper among them.

May is excited to announce the release of the film series onto YouTube. 

The first of the three episodes is currently up and updates for the continuation of the series will come within upcoming weeks.

To watch the first episode of the For Love of Water series, you can subscribe to Maria Hernandez May’s Youtube channel. The video is entitled EP1: Protecting Guam’s Aquifer (For Love of Water Series) on YouTube. 

For further information regarding May’s business, her shop can be found online at lolehandmade.com and its Instagram is @lolehandmadeguam. 

If you are interested in May’s community organization efforts to bring awareness to cultural and environmental matters, she posts updates on her Instagram, @hitalitekyan.

The post Alumni Highlight: Young Watchdog to Leading Activist appeared first on The Triton's Call.

Salas is working with the University of Guam UOG under a grant to design and create two new courses at UOG to increase employment opportunities for locals.

The courses are Wildlife Management and Herpetology and will help individuals qualify for Wildlife Biologist positions available in Guam.

“Instead of local agencies looking off-island to fill these positions, they can hire locally,” Salas said.

Salas first learned of the need for more local Wildlife Biologists through her work with UOG and uses much of her time to create opportunities for locals to fill these positions.

Interest in the environment was first sparked in an environmental science class during Salas’ senior year in high school.

“It was known to be an easy class, but as I learned more about how we impact the environment, I was really moved,” Salas said.

Salas followed her passion for environmental science and received her undergraduate degree in the field.

“I don’t think that we can survive without a healthy planet,” Salas said. “It’s important for everyone’s survival.” 

Salas believes in an interdependence between all life and the land that we share, and aims to assist others foster a connection that will lead to employment.

“We are all connected, especially to the land; it provides us with food and the space for spiritual or emotional healing,” Salas said. “Through the land is a way to make connections with each other and animals.”

Salas was raised in Washington state and returned to Guam in 2020. She set out to find ways to help and contacted local organizations.

“Literally would email and direct message local organizations like Guåhan Sustainable Culture, asking how I could get involved,” Salas said. “Through that, I made flyers and participated in food drives.”

This path would lead her to a job with Guåhan Sustainable Culture GSC and would play a part in her selection to be a member of the Cultural Survival Indigenous Arts Fellowship.

GSC is a non-profit organization that cultivates ideas and strategies of environmental sustainability within our local community through practical education, social engagement, and collaborative partnerships.

Salas left GSC in September to begin her journey with UOG and spends her free time working at Cultural Survival. She works diligently to provide more access to local jobs in both her career and hobbies.

Cultural Survival is a non-profit organization that advocates for indigenous peoples’ rights and supports indigenous communities’ self-determination, cultures and political resilience.

The current aim of the organization is to prepare a guidebook that would describe adaptations or solutions to the climate change on Guam and Salas will be leading the project.

Salas is determined to foster a deeper connection between the land and its people through all her efforts.

If anyone would like to contribute to the guidebook or would like to know more, you may email her at Shaylinnsalas@gmail.com

Organizations to contact if you are interested in participating in similar events are the Micronesian Climate Change Alliance, Prutehi Litekyan and Guåhan Sustainable.

Visit these websites for more information: https://mccalliance.org/ https://www.saveritidian.org/ https://gusustainable.org/

The post ‘We are all connected, especially to the land’; Activist answers inner calling appeared first on The Triton's Call.

Their mission is to help pave the direction of future leaders that will carry the legacy of the University and amount a positive influence on the next generation of learners through the support of donor scholarships and interpersonal connections.

Whilst the organization supports the students and the institution, their power is fueled by the generous donations of other private contributions to support them in thriving the amount of great faculty, innovative learning environments, and the educational experiences of every student climbing towards a successful future.

Today, they are featured to get the word of the foundation around for students who seek interest in gaining scholarships and engaging in sociably-rewarding programs.

“G” is for Giving

The UOG Endowment lives vicariously through “G” is for Giving and continues to spread the contagiousness of generosity throughout our island community.

The campaign was developed to reach a goal of $35,000 annually that would benefit the versatility of student scholarships, research, and programs.

In spirit of international day of giving, they produced “Giving Tuesday” where student organizations come out and receive donations gifted to the foundation.

This year, they also launched Triton Twos-Day where people supported the foundation by their donation choice of $2, $22, $222, or $2,222 and celebrated with food truck tacos catered by Mangan671.

With apparel company Opake, they announced their new line of limited edition “G” is for Giving t-shirts.

“This symbolizes the act of giving in such a manner as to grow and benefit a community.  It is reminiscent of planting a seed that will grow and bear fruit for the future”

UOG Endowment Foundation

The foundation has built relationships with many well-rounded people and fellow organizations that had “caught this fever”. Some of them are now the institution’s biggest donors who are providing a lending hand for the long run.

UOGEF’s Executive Director Tries to Reach Out to Students

Katrina Perez has been a part of the UOG Endowment Foundation since July of 2017 when she first entered as the team’s accounts manager.

She was announced executive director in 2019 by the Board of Directors, knowing the confidence and trust they have developed with her would take the foundation even further.

Along the way, she learned that students tend to miss the opportunity of scholarships offered under the UOGEF. Each year it surprises them with the fraction of applications received compared to those actually enrolled.

The executive director does not let this go unnoticed and encourages students to know the foundation is always there when students need them.

Perez said, “I get that some become so focused on their schoolwork throughout the semester, that they forget that there are these scholarships that can help them.”

“Some know about them, but they lose that motivation to fill out an application due to their stress and mental health .”

She continued, “I want to reach out to every student possible with the support being provided from our foundation.”

If you are a student having a difficult time searching for eligible scholarships, ineligible with FAFSA, or in a situation of financial hardships, always be sure to stay on the lookout for the UOG Endowment Foundation’s scholarships to avoid missing any opportunities where you can possibly receive a full semester’s worth of tuition funds.

More information can be found on their main web page: https://give.uog.edu/

Celebrating Their Ruby Year

The year 2022 marks 40 years of the foundation since founded in April 1982 by Jesus S. Leon Guerrero. Amid preparing for their 40^th gala, the team reflects the impact of the foundation on their lives as they continue to impact others’.

The Endowment Foundation remains the secret weapon for representing the best version of the University of Guam through its students, faculty, staff, administration, and much more who contribute to the university.

The post Organization Hype of The Year: The UOG Endowment Foundation appeared first on The Triton's Call.

For the last few years, mental health has become a focal point in today’s society. Every year millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness. For Guam, there has been a group of women advocating that it is okay to talk about mental health awareness. 

The premise of TUMA is to encourage people to be more open about discussing mental health. Also, to influence people to be the light for those going through dark moments. The TUMA team has even created a blog on their website as a safe space for people to express themselves through words. Their ultimate goal is to spread mental health awareness to the community, and that it is okay to talk about it. 

Jesrae Moylan, the founder of the nonprofit organization TUMA, abbreviated for Talk Up Mental Health Awareness, has been an advocate for mental health since the tragic passing of her brother in 2017. She sought assistance from longtime friends Rhythm Blas, Nicole Ericcson, and Kira Cruz to launch the organization. “After my brother took his life, I was looking for answers as to why he would commit suicide,” said Moylan.

Moylan’s brother Ray Rabe tragically took his life on October 31, 2017. She was close with her younger brother. She said, “We were inseparable. When he passed away, I felt like a piece of me left with him.” Shortly after his passing, she wanted to bring awareness to mental health on Guam. That’s when she started TUMA. “It was a way to honor my brother and a way to keep his legacy alive by talking up mental health awareness.”

Moylan has had major support from her friends Rhythm Blas, Nicole Ericsson, and Kira Cruz. They have collectively come together to spread awareness throughout the community and to give hope to those that are fighting mental health illnesses. They all have the same common goal when it comes to mental health. They want to inspire and motivate the community to be open to talk about mental health awareness. It has also given them the motivation to talk about mental health. 

Kira Cruz, the Director of Finance described how much it meant to her to be a part of the TUMA team. “Mental health advocacy has always been an interest of mine since I’ve struggled with my mental health for as long as I can remember,” Said Cruz. She also stated, “The true catalyst that gave me the push to advocate on a larger scale was when my nephew attempted to take his life last year. It was the most traumatizing experience of my life.” Cruz wanted to shed light on the importance of mental health because it was not talked about much when she was younger. She stated, “I did not receive the emotional support that I needed. From what I can recall, I have had depressive symptoms ever since I was in elementary school.” Cruz believes that TUMA has impacted her life in a good way. “TUMA has empowered me to not only advocate for mental health, but to also tell my story.”

You too can tell your story. You are not alone in the fight against mental health. There is a strong group of women that are there alongside you if you ever need to talk, vent, or feel like all hope is lost. If you want to advocate for mental health, you can take the pledge by supporting TUMA and be a part of creating positive change surrounding the topic of mental health. For more information about TUMA, go to https://tumaguam.com/.

The post Choose Life, Choose Happiness, Choose You appeared first on The Triton's Call.

For many of us living in the Marianas, it is common to see a stray cat or dog in a parking lot or on the side of the road.

Residents believe that seeing many strays in our islands is something we should be concerned about, with an estimated 60,000 strays in Guam.

As of 2020, both Guam and the CNMI governments have passed animal cruelty laws.

On Dec. 23, Bill 185-35, “Pugua’s Law” or formally known as Protecting Animal Welfare and Safety (PAWS) Act, was passed by the Guam Legislature.

On July 5, Public Law No. 21-31 or the ‘CNMI Animal Protection and Control Act’, was passed by the CNMI Legislature.

While both acts have been in effect for quite some time, many animal rescue organizations and individual rescuers believe that animal cruelty and overpopulation are still prevalent in our island communities.

These organizations can be found throughout the Marianas. They choose to spend their time rescuing these animals and working with others to get them loving homes.

Here in Guam, H.E.A.R.T Guam or Happily Ever After Rescue Team is one of them. Sterling Corbin founded the organization in 2017, expressing that her love for animals led her to doing what she does today.

The organization works closely with the community to offer educational programs such as ‘Mutt-i-grees’ to teach animal welfare in schools, as well as ‘Pet Pantry’ to distribute free pet supplies to families in need.

Corbin expresses that, while animal rescuing is fulfilling, being an animal rescuer is emotionally taxing and takes a toll on people mentally. “I see people give up because they feel like it’s not enough,” she says.

“If we [animal rescuers] don’t work together nothing is going to happen because there is no strong foundation,” she said. “I feel like I’ve seen some improvement, but we can always do more.”

Over in Saipan, we can find Boonie Babies Rescue, one of the island’s only animal rescue groups. The organization was founded by sisters Aria and Grace Keilbach in 2018. Their mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and relocate boonie dogs to give them a better life.

After moving to the island, the sisters were shocked by the number of strays found on such a small island and felt a strong need to protect the local boonies.

They express that a lack of resources, education and government enforcement of animal cruelty laws contributes to the growing number of strays in Saipan.

They mention how difficult it is to not have government support for the abused strays they find.

“There has not been a single ticket or slap on the wrist for anybody having to do with animal cruelty…so it’s as good as nothing,” Grace says.

“There has not been any close to decline in the population of strays here in Saipan. This issue is much bigger than Aria and I, and our organization. The government really needs to get involved,” she continues.

Additionally, we can also find animal rescuers who work independently and in association with others.

Lelani Puga, who was born and raised in Guam, is an advocate for animal welfare. She conducted animal rescues while stationed on the island three years ago and is still working closely with the rescue community despite currently being in the mainland.

She talks about seeing strays on the streets throughout her life.

“It was normal to see strays in your day-to-day life,” she said. “As I became an adult, I realized that it was not normal to see dogs suffering and had to do something about it.”

Puga shared her insights on the PAWS Act that was passed during her time in Guam.

“I don’t think it’s being fully enforced. The government has funds, but they just aren’t doing anything,” she said. “I see that when there’s an animal abuse case, it gets featured on the news, but then we never hear about it again—somebody needs to start doing something.

“It’s frustrating for everyone in the rescue community because it never feels like we’re doing enough,” she expresses.

Animal rescuers urge our governments to do more for strays in the Marianas.

Animal welfare is a community issue and some of the ways people can help to support our local strays and animal rescuers are by volunteering, fostering and adopting.

This article was written as an assignment for CO-226: Media Writing.

The post Animal Rescuers Across the Marianas Advocate for Better Animal Welfare appeared first on The Triton's Call.

In today’s money-driven world, where our society measures success by how much you have in possession, quantity is often favored more than quality.

The importance of cultural identity has taken a backseat to individual achievement. The CHamoru culture and its endangered language seem to have no place in it.

Without a doubt, CHamoru is a rich and important culture, especially in its motherland, the Marianas.

But for families with young kids, what is the value of practicing the customs and language? Is it even worth it when we live in a western lifestyle that often has no room for cultural variety? Is there a place for a CHamoru upbringing where staying “trending” is a priority?

Whether you were born and raised on the islands or are of the CHamoru diaspora, the CHamoru people have been disconnected from their indigenous culture and language due to centuries of colonization and occupation.

For decades, families have been failing to practice the language and pass it down through the generations. The centuries of colonization of the Mariana Islands by imperial superpowers has drastically changed the people of these islands.

In 1917, Naval Government Executive General Order No. 243 designated English as Guam’s only official language. The only CHamoru to be spoken was strictly for official interpreting.

Although the oppressive language policies progressively lifted over time, the damage had been done. The use of the CHamoru language had taken a substantial hit that would only continue to decline.

The American’s presented many opportunities that came with speaking English. For many families, the pursuit of a better life was through speaking English.

Therefore, the use of the CHamoru language began decreasing in Guam homes because using English in society was increasing. Quite simply, the higher-paying, governmental jobs were only available to English-speakers.

Despite the diminishing use of the CHamoru language, there have been pockets of cultural practitioners and language educators who have been working to counter the effects of colonization.

One of those efforts is Chief Huråo Academy, a CHamoru immersion daycare founded by Ann Marie Arceo. They aim to instill the CHamoru language into children and create fluent speakers starting at a pivotal young age.

Chauntae Quichocho is a CHamoru and an alumni of Chief Huråo Academy. Today, she is a University of Guam student majoring in CHamoru Studies for Education.

“In the past, our people were forced to speak English. But also they were presented with the ideology that English is better than CHamoru. And that English was the only way to find success.”

“My hope is that we can emphasize that CHamoru is just as good as English. Especially with the revitalization efforts being made now,” Quichocho said.

Another organization is Duk Duk Goose, Inc., or more commonly known as Nihi! (named after their flagship show). It is a non-profit focused on reaffirming the identity of Guam’s children through media pieces and facilitating learning the CHamoru language in the community.

Nihi! produces shows such as “Kids Talk,” where children, or famagu’on, interview important elders, or saina, discussing topics that are affecting the region. In its latest show, “Eat With Your Ancestors,” the famagu’on explore the region’s culture and values through food.

Frescania Taitano Taitague, the editor at Duk Duk Goose, Inc., shares her thoughts on their mission, “The reason we do what we do is simple. Affirming identity in the children of Guam and the Micronesian region does so much for their own self-esteem.”

From Spanish to American to Japanese, and back to American, each has left their mark on the CHamoru culture and influenced how it is practiced today.

“When kids are grounded in their roots, they often perform better in school and have less issues with mental health. We are working to build power through identity and equip the next generation of protectors,” Taitague said.

For CHamoru parents, they are faced with the dilemma of prioritizing the practicing of their language and culture with their children for the sake of its survival. But with the developing resources and efforts being made to assist them, there is hope for the CHamoru language and culture to have an everlasting place in the lives of our future generation.

This article was written as an assignment for CO-226: Media Writing.

The post Learning the CHamoru culture and language can help our children succeed appeared first on The Triton's Call.

Troubled Youth Guam, or TYG, is a collective that started in 2017 to bring diversity to island music. The young artists discuss the barriers and opportunities in the music community.  

What began as teenagers writing music about their struggles growing up on Guam naturally developed into a platform to turn those struggles into art. 

TYG started as high school friends who were musically gifted and wanted to make music. Their shared passion gradually grew into a collective of local young artists. 

Emann Adonay is the group’s producer and helped establish TYG. The group develops every original piece at his home studio.

“TYG uses music as an outlet for our emotions. Our troubling experiences as teenagers from Guam inspired the music, “ Adonay expressed.

After five years, Troubled Youth Guam expanded with twelve artists who bring their diverse experiences to the local music industry. 

Their talents range from rapping and songwriting to playing instruments and creating beats. They experiment with genres like reggae, hip-hop, and indie music.

As the group’s producer, Adonay agrees that TYG can be called island music. 

Each song explores the artist’s social life with references to living on Guam by weaving in the names of villages, relevant issues, and local slang.

“Even though we tap into music genres around the world and across history, I find myself bringing in what it’s like to be from Guam. Island music is music where people feel connected and relate to the island lifestyle, and I use this element in our music.”

Adonay admits that their path to musical success is not simple. 

The group’s greatest barriers are financial strains and commitment to the craft. Most members of TYG have lives outside of the group to support their families.

“We are so much more than rappers. We are also students, employees working minimum wage jobs, and islanders just trying to get by.”

Even with the countless hours and creative energy placed into one song, it takes months, even years, to visualize success. Pursuing a music career in Guam can be difficult and evoke feelings of self-doubt and impatience.

Yet, the group is committed to improving every stage of the song process until it is “undeniably good” by chasing quality over quantity and respecting each other as a family.

Troubled Youth Guam is grateful that the island supports aspiring local artists with opportunities to build the island’s music industry.

Opportunities that introduced TYG to the music community began in the group’s high school days. Their first public appearance was hosted by the radio station Power 98.

“We feature local artists hourly on our shows. We show our support by featuring their latest songs and interviewing the artists live. Listeners can request a song from their favorite local artist to be added to the day’s playlist,” Power 98 stated.  

The push to “support local” helped TYG grow from being rappers on SoundCloud to artists now playing at gigs across the island. 

Other opportunities emerged like mentorship, collaborations and promotion on social media.

TYG is currently working with Blklst Media, a local business specializing in photography and videography. They combined their skills and collaborated on several hip-hop cyphers and music videos. 

The group describes this collaboration as a “great experience working with professional, talented people who bring the music community together.” 

Both TYG and Blklst Media look forward to their future projects and supporting each other’s growth.

Over the years, TYG has received donations, performance offers and endless support from the local music community. 

The group has grown their fanbase and upgraded their studio by networking online and at their live performances.

“The dream is to make it big and show the world what Guam offers across music genres. Troubled Youth needs our island to listen, like and share our art,” Adonay shares.

Their love of music and representing the island motivates the group to be humble and create every day. 

Troubled Youth Guam hopes to inspire other artists to pursue their aspirations at any age and against all odds.

This article was written as an assignment for CO-226: Media Writing.

The post Supporting Young Local Artists featuring Troubled Youth Guam appeared first on The Triton's Call.

As a young indigenous CHamoru, Nolan Flores feels a sense of obligation to help Guam advance towards decolonization. His identity and work strongly influence his role as a local activist.

“I have been told that my personality is only decolonization,” Flores jokes.

Flores is an outstanding member of his community and began his journey into Guam’s decolonization movement as a college freshman.

He is an undergraduate student, a member of the Guam Youth Congress, and a research assistant with the Commission on Decolonization. 

As a graduating senior, he realizes that his college experiences shaped his motivation to become a decolonization activist. 

“I guess it came from a sense of obligation, from reading about it and understanding the historical perspectives that made me attune to the fact that this issue is still ongoing.”

This moment opened his understanding that decolonization is a critical issue for Guam.

Flores gives back to his community by pulling from and adding to “what our ancestors left behind.”

Some of his work includes organizing forums and conducting an islandwide survey to gather public opinion.

Flores credits the Political Science program at the University of Guam for his “awakening.” The program connected his CHamoru culture to political and social issues. 

Most of his classes enhanced his interest in government and politics by focusing on local and regional topics. His academic background involving politics on Guam allows him to reflect on his CHamoru identity and inform others about what he is learning. 

He shares his voice for decolonization at public speeches and in several articles in the Pacific Daily News.

His research led to an awareness that Guam’s core issues, especially socio-economic, are based on the island’s political status.

Flores’ work tries to educate the community about decolonization. He learns more about the issue at the local level while actively spreading awareness. He works closely with the community to correct misconceptions and resolve the lack of information. 

“I want to help others experience what I have experienced.”

He strives to confidently navigate casual conversations with the community sharing what he knows and feels about decolonization. His indigenous CHamoru identity empowers him to address the colonial situation and fight for the future of his people. 

Flores shares a quote passed down to his generation and often said by his community to capture Guam’s decolonization journey.

“Anggen ti hita, pues håyi” or “If not us, then who?”

This article was written as an assignment for CO-226: Media Writing.

The post Navigating Guam’s decolonization journey with Nolan Flores appeared first on The Triton's Call.

On March 19, 2022, University of Guam students in the Independent Filmmaking class began filming one of their student films. The films produced in the class are set to premiere at this semester’s upcoming film festival.  

The film being produced is a drama thriller called “The Run”, set on Guam, that follows the story of a young man currently running away from a conflict that happened in his life. 

Under the supervision of Dr. Raymond Anderson, filming began with a tech rehearsal, where the crew and actors rehearse a few selected scenes to act out and get more familiarized with the technical aspects of the film. Tech rehearsals are mainly for the crew, but actors also benefit from getting a chance to get more acquainted with their surroundings on set. In this case, it was everyone’s first time on the set location for the film, which was both challenging and a good learning experience for both the actors and crew. 

“It’s my first time producing a film and it’s been very stressful so far, but I like it. I like knowing what’s going on- it’s just a little hard to put all the parts in motion since we’re dealing with a bigger team than we’re used to, but it’s a good experience because if we’re going to go into this career field, we’ll be dealing with much bigger teams so it’s a good experience right now.” Producer Kyra Perez explained. 

Working closely with the producer is the director, Kin Guerrero, in charge of the more creative aspects of the film such as the actors’ performances. 

“I’ve never done anything like this before, and I think it’s really fun to work with the actors and try to squeeze out the performances that we want. Sometimes I do feel a lot of pressure, but I’m looking forward to everything and I trust we’ll be able to produce something we’ll be proud of.” Guerrero said. 

The role of director can be especially stressful at times due to the immense responsibility and having to make decisions that will impact the film, but it also has the potential to be very rewarding. The feeling of accomplishment after seeing a film finally comes to life when production is done is truly inspiring and is a feeling many filmmakers can relate to. 

With production underway, “The Run”, is forecasted to finish shooting around the first week of April and will be one of the movies students can watch at the Film Festival in May. 

The post University of Guam Student Film Underway  appeared first on The Triton's Call.