| FILIPINO RESOURCES ON GUAM | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Filipinos had been on Guam long before the arrival of Americans. By the end of the Spanish rule, there was a big influx of Filipinos. Many of them were exiles, both penal and political, during the Spanish administration of the Philippines and Guam. When the Americans took possession of the Philippines in the early 1900, more Filipinos were exiled on Guam. In 1902, 52 Filipinos were exiled including Apolinario Mabini, one of the great Filipino revolutionary leaders and known to the Filipinos as the �Brain of the Revolution� and Sublime Paralytic~. Other repatriates included noted generals of the revolution: Artemio Ricarte, Pio del Pilar, Mariano Trias and General Santos, and two famous lawyers, Pablo Ocampo and Julian Gerona. Of the 52 exiles, Leon Flores, Pancrasio Palting and Maximo Tolentino remained on Guam and later adopted the island as their home, while all the others returned to the Philippines. Leon Flores, who became the island attomey of Guam, is the father of the late Archbishop Felixberto Flores and Pancrasio Palting is the father of former late Senator Paul Palting. During the Spanish rule, the Filipinos did not enjoy civil rights. However, the Americans changed the atmosphere when they arrived; the Filipinos were allowed to hold gatherings and conduct their own community affairs. These gatherings transformed the Filipino community into a closely-knit group, recalling together their happy days in the Philippines and sharing the pains of separation from relatives. They were the pioneers who served the path for the present Filipino Community of Guam. After the war, many more Filipinos came to Guam, this time not as exiles, but as adventurous young men. Mark Pangilinan was one of them. They settled down here and their achievements have earned for them the undying affection and kind hospitality of the people of Guam. These men did the spadework and laid the foundation on which the present Filipino Community of Guam built its organization. The official organization of the Filipino Community of Guam was done immediately after the-July 4th observance of the independence anniversary in 1954. The zeal of these Filipino- Americans gave birth to the founding of the Filipino Community of Guam. Henry Schnabel was the chairman of the steering committee. He was ably assisted by the late Atty. Al Lamorena, father of Presiding Judge Alberto Lamorena and Sen. Tony Lamorena, Angel llagan, Cesar Sison (all deceased), Art Gamboa and Tony Dimalanta, who was elected first President. Consul Bartolome Umayam (deceased) of the Philippine Consulate General actively participated in the founding of the association. The Constitution and By-Laws were approved and adopted and the first board of directors was elected on September 8, 1954. The objectives were enumerated as follows: 1. To foster unity and closer relations among Filipinos on Guam; 2. To preserve the cherished traditions of the Filipino people; 3. To cooperate with the duly constituted authorities of the Territory of Guam in the promotion of civic, social and moral welfare; 4. To improve and conserve the bonds of friendship existing between the Filipinos and the Americans, Guamanians and other residents of Guam; 5. To undertake any lawful acts or things necessary and expedient for the promotion of the commonwealth; 6. To establish a Cultural Center which shall be known as the "Philippine Cultural Center" in Guam; and 7. To acquire purchase, sell, mortgage, lease or encumber an - or personal properties. During its early years, the biggest and most important activity sponsored by the Filipino Community of Guam was the carnival held in Tamuning entitled "KNOW THE PHILIPPINES EXPOSITION." There were booths representing the provinces. The affair was climaxed with the Coronation of MISS PHILIPPINES and her Court of Honor (Miss Luzon, Miss Visayas and Miss Mindanao) On March 6, 1955 during the incumbency of Mrs. Carmen dela Cruz (only woman President), the FILIPINIANA, official organ of the Filipino Community of Guam, made its maiden bow. The publication which was conceived out of a desire to reach out to every Filipino on the island, filled a long-felt need of the association. Today the FCG is the parent organization of 65 member asssociations. The Filipino associations have contributed several community projects to Guam, in addition to the Guam Heroes Memorial Park and the statue of the late Archbishop Felixberto Flores for the betterment of the community, namely: 1. Sampaguita Pavillion, Ipao Beach 2. Restoration of Spanish Azotea, Hagatna 3. Mabini Marker, Asan Point 4. Swimming Pool, Brodie Memorial School 5. Multi-Purpose Court, Dededo Central Park 6. Three Hemo-Dialysis Machines donated to GMH 7. Water Tank Purifier donated to GMH 8. Therapy Machine donated to GMH 9. Tennis Courts, John F. Kennedy High School 10. George Washington Monument, GWHS 24. Infusion Pumps for Guam Memorial Hospital 25. Financial assistance to First Lady Geri Gutierrez's Drug Awareness Program The Filipino Community of Guam believes in the future of Guam and respects its relationship with its people and the different ethnic groups constituting the population of the island. It exists not to seek rewards or commendations, but to pursue that noble task of helping make Guam progressive, and offering gratitude to an island that has been a generous home to them. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FILIPINO-AMERICANS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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DIRECTORY All Filipino Groups | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Filipino Community of Guam Umbrella Organization | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Various Provinces Ethnic Solidarity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
MEETINGS ANNOUNCEMENTS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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