MHC presentation

Choco the Chinaman

Featured MHC presentation excerpt by Dr. Judy Flores

My personal interest in the Chinaman, Choco, grew as I learned more about the area between Inarajan and Merizo in southern Guam; a stretch of white sand beach today called Tonggan, and land to the south of Tonggan, called Bibesbes.

It wasn’t until the 1990s when I began to research Guam’s history that I learned of Choco who lived in Pa’a during the early missionization period.

The Chinese man, Choco, was firmly established in CHamoru society at the time of Pale’ Diego Luis de San Vitores’ missionization. Choco was instrumental in turning the CHamoru people against the missionaries.