calendar of events • travel • restaurants & food • trends • recreation • sports • culture & arts • special features • nightlife • coupons & much more
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2016
Weightlifting Federation of Guam
Bottoms Up!
Wet your whistle at these bars and lounges
Olympic dreams Athletes represent Guam in Rio
Sunrise over Fisheye Marine Park in Piti. Photo by Rueben Olivas.
contents TRAVEL
DMZ, Korea
ARTIST
Photographer Rueben Olivas
CALENDAR
Events in August and September
COVER FEATURE
Guam weightlifting
SPECIAL FEATURE
Jeff’s Pirates Cove
sports
Team Guam - Olympics 2016
5 8
TECHNOLOGY
Popular Apps
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14
TRENDING
Guam showcased on Instagram
ESSENCE OF GUAM
10
Piti, Barrigada and Mangilao
14
Falkor visits Guam
SCIENCE
NEW IN TOWN
18
Korean rice burgers
22
Bars and lounges
restaurant & DINING
26 29 32
38 37 38
R&R Pacific is a lifestyle magazine that features the people, culture and activities that collectively make up Guam. We provide our readers a window into the different facets of Guam’s diverse community through vibrant photography and engaging articles.
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About the cover: Weightlifting Federation of Guam members at Custom Fitness/CrossFit Gof Metgot in Hagåtña, where they train. (Standing from left) Coach Edgar Molino, Julius Naranjo, Brandon Holm and Shane Concpcion. (Seated from left) Francine Parra, Armie Almazon and Kimberly Taguacta. See story on page 14. Photo by Joy Cruz
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R&R Pacific August/September
PUBLISHER
SENIOR DESIGNER
Maureen N. Maratita
Vikki Fong
MANAGING EDITOR
SALES MANAGER
Jackie Hanson
2016
Annie San Nicolas
ASSISTANT EDITOR
ACCOUNT MANAGERS
Joy White
Evelyn Sanchez
REPORTER
ADMINISTRATION
Janice Castro
CONTRIBUTORS
Carmelita McClellan
Joe Cruz
Vincent Leon Guerrero
Rueben Olivas
Jenalyn Aguon
Lara Ozaki
PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Rosanna Dacanay
Marcos Fong
Glimpses of Guam Inc. Mission Statement: To connect people with information.
Glimpses Publications include: Marianas Business Journal • Guam Business Magazine • R&R Pacific • Beach Road Magazine
R&R Pacific • August/September 2016 • Entire contents copyrighted 2016 by Glimpses of Guam, Inc. R&R Pacific is published monthly by Glimpses of Guam, Inc., 161 US Army Juan C. Fejeran St., Barrigada Heights, GU 96913. Telephone: (671) 649-0883, Fax: (671) 649-8883, Email: assist_editor@glimpsesofguam.com • All rights reserved. No material may be printed in part or in whole without written permission from the publisher.
Travel///DMZ
The Demilitarized Zone is a border zone created by the 1953 armistice that ended the Korean War.
A Site for Reflection: DMZ Korea STORY by julian ryall PHOTOS By julian ryall and Jackie Hanson
While in South Korea, the demilitarized zone, or DMZ, is a must-see as one of the country’s significant political and historical sites. The two are just 30 miles apart, but the difference is like day and night. The city of Seoul is vibrant; the neon is constant, as are the taxis, the nightlife, the shopping and the dining out. Less than an hour’s drive away is the world’s most tense border, the illogically named Demilitarized Zone, where the belligerent and deeply unpredictable North Korean military faces South Korean and U.S. forces across a 2.5-mile corridor of mines, barbed wire and fences that runs as a scar the width of the peninsula. The border is a curious place of quiet and palpable tension, making it a must-see destination for visitors to South Korea. As well as the Dora Observatory, many tours take in the nearby third invasion
tunnel dug by the North and discovered in 1978. Through high-powered binoculars at the Dora Observatory, the road that serves as the only link across this fortified border is empty. The Kaesong industrial zone was set up at a time of greater harmony between the two Koreas and was designed to act as a bridge toward eventual reunification of two countries that adopted different political systems at the end of World War II, went through a bloody, three-year conflict from 1950 and remain technically at war. And while tensions have been high on a border that is the last remnant of the communist-capitalist Cold War for more than six decades, they are higher than ever at present. Through the binoculars at Dora Observatory, visitors can see
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Travel///DMZ
North Korean guard posts atop low hills on the other side of the DMZ. Soldiers have assault rifles slung over their shoulders. Beyond, men and women can be seen laboring in the fields as other citizens of a nation that styles itself as a socialist paradise ride bicycles along dusty roads. To the east, a flagpole rises 160 meters above the village of Kijong-dong carrying a North Korean flag that weighs 270 kilograms. A small train takes visitors more than 70 meters below the surface to a tunnel that protrudes more than 430 meters into South Korea and was designed to permit the North to infiltrate thousands of men and tons of material behind the South’s main defensive positions. The rock face still has holes where the next charges were due to be detonated by the North Korean sappers. In the opposite direction, a concrete plug has been used to seal the tunnel, although a small hole permits visitors to stare into the darkness in the direction of North Korea. After a visit to Freedom Bridge and Dorasan railway station, both of which are symbols of what might be if the North one day agrees to join the civilized world, the final destination of the day is the Joint Security Zone. Three blue huts sit astride the exact line that separates North from South, with soldiers from both sides eyeballing each other with barely concealed aggression and dislike. The troops of the Republic of Korea adopt what is known as the “ROK Hard� stance, their feet firmly apart, arms braced and stock still as they glare through mirrored sunglasses at their counterparts in the North. They stand partly behind the corner of the buildings in case shooting should break out, as it has here in the past. Inside the huts, which have heard interminable discussions and propaganda claims since the end the war, visitors are permitted to walk around to the North Korean side of the building. More guards are constantly on alert during the visit. There is, undeniably, the crackle of a strained situation in the air. It is a relief, in some ways, to get back aboard the bus and head south.
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( From top) Soldiers stand guard at the DMZ 24/7; The Bridge of Freedom in Imjingak park is a now-abandoned railroad bridge connecting North and South Korea, on which prisoners of war and soldiers traveled during the Korean War. (Opposite page, from top) Messages of peace and unity left on the fence at the DMZ; Soldiers stand guard at the DMZ; The rusted remains of a steam-powered train at the DMZ.
Travel///Historic Okinawa
DMZ, KOREA How to get there: Korean Air, United Airlines, and low cost carriers Jin Air and Jeju Air operate direct flights between Guam and Seoul, arriving at either Incheon International Airport or Gimpo International Airport. Flights can be significantly cheaper during South Korea’s cold winter months. Travel time: 4 hours 40 minutes Currency: Korean Won, with $1 presently worth W1,148. Accommodation: The Shilla Stay Guro is a new hotel on the south of the Han River and a five-minute walk from the station that serves the Guro Digital Complex, which is home to many of the country’s top IT and tech firms. Dedicated shoppers will appreciate the proximity of a couple of Seoul’s top shopping malls, including Mario Outlet and Hyundai Outlet Gasan. Visit http://www.shillastay.com/guro/index.do for more information. If, after a long day at the DMZ, all you want to do is relax in the lap of luxury, then the Four Seasons Hotel, Seoul, is the place to check in. Another new addition to the city’s accommodation scene, the hotel is close to both the Gyeonbokgung and Deoksugung palaces, the city’s business and main shopping districts and the U.S. embassy. And with no fewer than seven restaurants and bars, as well as state-of-the-art spa and fitness center, it is the place for travelers to pamper themselves. Visit http://www.fourseasons.com/seoul for more information. Getting around: Taxis are cheap, plentiful and usually the quickest way to get around Seoul — although beware during the rush hour as the city’s streets do get very congested. Minimum fare in a regular taxi is W3,000 ($2.61). There are a number of more expensive “limousine” taxis, as well as a few that have bilingual drivers for tourists. The subway is clean, efficient and on time. It is also fairly straightforward to use and signs are in English. Demilitarized Zone Tour: Several organizations operate tours to the DMZ, although not all include visits to the Joint Security Area or the Third Infiltration Tunnel. Be sure to check the itinerary before booking. Arguably the best is International Cultural Service Club, which is based in the Lotte Hotel in central Seoul and runs a selection of tours on a daily basis. The full-day tour that incorporates the third tunnel, the Joint Security Area, Dora Observatory and Freedom Bridge is highly recommended. Be aware that there are strict restrictions on clothing and visitors’ actions in the JSA. Visit http://tourdmz.com/english/main.php for more information or call +82 2 755 0073.
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Artist///Rueben Olivas
Rueben Olivas BY JOY WHITE | Photos courtesy of RUEBEN OLIVAS
Photographer and retired firefighter Rueben Olivas uses his passion to capture what he loves about Guam and share it with others. Olivas reacquainted himself with photography after retiring from the Guam Fire Department. He started with an entry-level camera and learned new photography techniques from the local photography community. His interest began when he took a Photography 101 class in high school in his California hometown, and from there the passion took flight. It was an “instant love,� Olivas says. After high school, Olivas joined the U.S. Marine Corps. and met his wife, Lupe. Then, he raised a family, joined the Santa Maria Police Force, moved to Guam with the family and joined the GFD. Olivas specializes in landscape photography and other pieces that illustrate the beauty of Guam and the Chamorro culture. He explores his own projects and interests that he is passionate about, turning down and referring requests for weddings, portraits and other assignments.
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Artist///Rueben Olivas
Rueben Olivas, photographer
“I have to remind myself that I’m retired,” he says. In 2013, he realized he couldn’t find many calendars featuring Guam’s scenic landscapes. After suggesting it to the local photography organization, Guam Arts Society of Photography, he decided to take up the project himself. He now produces a Guam landscapes calendar out of pocket, but due to a tremendous response from the Guam and off-island community, the calendar has sold out every year. He sees a return on investment, and proceeds from the project help fund his photography hobby. The calendar is advertised mainly through Facebook. This year Olivas has increased the number of calendars to 1,500 copies. Every year, Olivas pursues a new project. In 2015, he began printing postcards with 20 different designs, exclusively sold at Bestseller. In 2016, he added more designs after gauging what seemed to be popular. He now also does postcards for hotels, JP Superstore and ABC Stores with aerial shots of the hotels and businesses taken from a drone. “[Aerial shots] show a different side of Guam,” he says. “It makes an impact to show people something [from a perspective] they have never seen before even though they see it every day.” He loves that his work helps chronicle businesses, which caters to his other interest in history. Having decades of experience with photography — from film to digital — Olivas admits he has a love-hate attitude with today’s photography technology. The good thing about technology, he says, is the accessibility to quality photos and that it allows professionals and those with a passion for photography to take their artistic expression to another level. However, he says the prevalence of technology has resulted in a lack of knowledge of the basics of photography, such as exposure, composition, composition theories, tones of life, speed, aperture and other technical aspects. “The foundations aren’t there,” he says. He first learned to shoot in black and white and was not dependent on color to create a striking image. He advises other photographers to try shooting in black and white for a month to focus on composition, black and white shades, tones and exposure. “It’s not easy to do,” he says. Following this activity, a photographer’s color photos will improve drastically, he says. Olivas has also launched two food blogs: BBQ Guam and Guam Firehouse Chef, which features everything besides barbecue. One day he hopes to collect his entries into a book. “Food is on top of everyone’s list now. Everyone can indulge in it,” he says. Guam’s 2017 Calendar is available at A & L Craft Shop, all Bestseller Bookstore locations, Frames, Inc., Jeff ’s Pirates Cove, Two Lover’s Point Gift Shop and the gift shops of Onward Beach Resort, Sheraton Laguna Guam Resort, Hyatt Regency Guam, Guam Reef Hotel & Olive Spa Resort and The Westin Resort Guam. To directly contact Olivas, call 747-2453.
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AUGUST & SEPTEMBER Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in August
Aug. 13
Guam Summer Beach Fest
RAW Guam’s Strongest Man competition
Features live entertainment and Tumon Night Market Time: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Location: Ypao Beach Admission: Free For more information, visit www.visitguam.com.
Time: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, visit voltsportstour.com
Aug. 6
Level: Very difficult Duration: Seven hours Length: Five miles Bring: Four quarts water, strong shoes, gloves, sunscreen, insect repellent, lunch, snacks and camera. Special conditions: Sword grass, steep slopes, walking in water and slippery rocks Meet at 9 a.m. in the Center Court of Chamorro Village in Hagåtña. Price: $2 for hikers over 12. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/GuamBoonieStompersInc or call 787-4238.
Boonie Stomp: Tarzan Falls Level: Medium Duration: Three hours Length: 1.5 miles Bring: Two quarts water, hiking shoes, gloves, swimsuit, sunscreen, lunch, insect repellent and camera. Special conditions: Muddy trail, several hills up and down and slippery rocks Meet at 9 a.m. in the Center Court of Chamorro Village in Hagåtña. Price: $2 for hikers over 12 For more information, visit www.facebook.com/GuamBoonieStompersInc or call 787-4238.
Aug. 20
Boonie Stomp: Mt. Finansanta/Geus River
Aug. 27
Boonie Stomp: Alutom Falls/Upper Sigua
Time: 9 a.m. to noon Location: Ga’an Point, Agat Wear sturdy close-toed shoes, hat and sunscreen. Bring refillable water bottle. Other supplies will be provided. For more information, email megan_mcalonis@nps.guov or call 333-4050
Level: Medium/Difficult Duration: Three hours Length: Two miles Bring: Two quarts water, hiking shoes, gloves, swimsuit, sunscreen, insect repellent, lunch and camera Special conditions: Steep slopes, mud and slippery rocks. Meet at 9 a.m. in the Center Court of Chamorro Village in Hagåtña Price: $2 for hikers over 12 For more information, visit www.facebook.com/GuamBoonieStompersInc or call 787-4238.
Aug. 13
Sept. 17
Boonie Stomp: Guatali Falls
Micro Cup Weightlifting Tournament
Level: Very difficult Duration: Five hours Length: 3.5 miles Bring: Three quarts water, hiking shoes, swimsuit, gloves, sunscreen, insect repellent, lunch, and camera. Special conditions: Walking in water, slippery rocks, sword grass, steep slopes and a long hike up and out Meet at 9 a.m. in the Center Court of Chamorro Village in Hagåtña. Price: $2 for hikers over 12 For more information, visit www.facebook.com/GuamBoonieStompersInc or call 787-4238.
Location: To be determined
Aug. 13
Keep Guam Beautiful island beatification project with the National Park Service
KONQER – The Maze Run Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Location: Former Target Golf property, Route 1 in Tamuning Price: Late bird registration (by Aug. 31) $125; Fried chicken (by Sept. 18) $150 For more information or to register, visit voltsports.com. Sept. 23 to 27
Guam International Film Festival For more information visit, www.guamfilmfestival.com.
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EVENTSCALENDAR
AUGUST sun
mon 1
tue 2
wed 3
thu 4
fri 5 MOVIES
Suicide Squad Nine Lives Little Men Five Nights in Maine
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8
9
10
11
12
MOVIES
Pete’s Dragon Sausage Party Hell or High Water Edge of Winter Ghost Team
sat 6 • Boonie Stomp: Tarzan Falls
13 • RAW Guam’s Strongest Man competition • Keep Guam Beautiful island beatification project • Boonie Stomp: Guatali Falls
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15
16
17
18
19 MOVIES
Kubo and the Two Strings Ben-Hur War Dogs Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV
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22
23
24
25
26
MOVIES
Mechanic: Resurrection Don’t Breathe The Hollars
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29
30
20 • Boonie Stomp: Mt. Finansanta/Geus River
27 • Boonie Stomp: Alutom Falls/Upper Sigua
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FEATURED MOVIE Aug. 19
Kubo and the Two Strings Directed by Travis Knight Starring Art Parkinson, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, George Takei, Charlize Theron, Matthew McConaughey and Ralph Fiennes
Clever, kindhearted Kubo ekes out a humble living, telling stories to the people of his seaside town, including Hosato, Hashi and Kamekichi. But his relatively quiet existence is shattered when he accidentally summons a spirit from his past, which storms down from the heavens to enforce an age-old vendetta. Now on the run, Kubo joins forces with Monkey and Beetle and sets out on a thrilling quest to save his family and solve the mystery of his fallen father, the greatest samurai warrior the world has ever known. With the help of his shamisen — a magical musical instrument — Kubo must battle gods and monsters, including the vengeful Moon King and the evil twin Sisters to unlock the secret of his legacy, reunite his family and fulfill his heroic destiny. Official plot from focusfeatures.com. *Event times and dates may change without notice.
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SEPTEMBER sun
mon
tue
wed
thu 1
fri 2
MOVIES
sat 3
The Light Between Oceans Patient Zero Solace
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
MOVIES
Sully Before I Wake Shut In The Wild Life
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12
13
14
15
16 MOVIES
Bridget Jones’s Baby Snowden When the Bough Breaks
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19
20
21
22
• KONQER – The Maze Run
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MOVIES
The Magnificent Seven Storks Goat • Guam International Film Festival (through Sept. 27)
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26
27
28
29
30 MOVIES
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children Deepwater Horizon Masterminds
FEATURED MOVIE Sept. 20
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children Directed by Tim Burton Starring Eva Green, Asa Butterfield, Samuel L. Jackson, Kim Dickens, Rupert Everett and Allison Janney
When Jake discovers clues to a mystery that spans alternate realities and times, he uncovers a secret refuge known as Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As he learns about the residents and their unusual abilities, Jake realizes that safety is an illusion, and danger lurks in the form of powerful, hidden enemies. Jake must figure out who is real, who can be trusted and who he really is. Official plot from foxmovies.com.
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17 • Micro Cup Weightlifting Tournament
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Cover Feature///Weightlifting
Doing the
Federation works to grow sport of weightlifting in Guam BY LARA OZAKI AND JOY WHITE Photos by joe cruz
The Weightlifting Federation of Guam is making a comeback after more than 10 years. Reformed and restarted by Ryan R.M. Claros and Jesse E. Rosario in December 2014 at the Guam Invitational, the group now has 15 lifters as part of the team. The former federation was formed in 1987 but had become inactive around 2002. The federation was reinstated by the International Weightlifting Federation in May. The Guam national team competes in various local and international competitions including the Oceania Weightlifting Competition, Pacific Games (formerly South Pacific Games), Pacific Mini Games, International Weightlifting Federation World Championships and the Micronesian Cup. Kimberly Taguacta represented Guam in the women’s 53 kilogram division at the IWF World Championships held in October in Houston, and Shane Concepcion competed in the 85 kilogram division at the Oceania Weightlifting Championships in May in Fiji. Most of the lifters are in their 20s and have less than two years of experience weightlifting. “A lot of us started with CrossFit. I started around May 2013, and then several of us got into weightlifting in the summer of 2014,” Concepcion says. The team is comprised of members from Chamorri CrossFit and Custom Fitness/CrossFit Gof Metgot. “We reached out to all the CrossFit and other fitness facilities, but for now we only have lifters from Chamorri CrossFit and Custom Fitness,” Claros says. “Our goal is to form a club system with five teams [on Guam].” He says multiple clubs on Guam are necessary to be able to encourage competition and growth. Claros says in order to raise the level of competition, the team needs at least two or three lifters in each weight class; however, the team only has one or two per weight class. Because of limited funding, athletes compete in lift-offs to determine who represents Guam at international competitions, which Claros says pushes competition within the team. Coach Edgar Molino oversees the training program for all the lifters. Molinos competed in four South Pacific Games (now Pacific Games) starting in 1987 and into the 1990s as well as in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona. He is the only member fully involved in the new weightlifting federation that was part of the former federation and the only Level 2 certified official on Guam. Several other former lifters serve as board members of federation and are national level officials. Molinos says he did not have a full-time coach in his former lifting
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years. “We didn’t have social media back in the day like we do now. … I’ve learned more from watching other lifters and other coaches. Many lifters have helped me with tips and advice.” The team’s training incorporates some movements from CrossFit and other forms of lifting outside of Olympic weightlifting, such as powerlifting. The team trains together twice a week and individually for three or four additional days every week. Molinos sets training programs in blocks of four or five weeks each to prepare the athletes for upcoming competitions. The next competition, the Micronesian Cup, will be held on Sept. 17 on Guam.
Special Feature///Singh’s Café
Demonstrating various weightlifting poses are Page 14: (From top) Krystchian Villanueva and Brandon Holm. Page 15: (Clockwise from left) Jacinta Samajaysay, Francine Parra and Shane Concepcion.
“The program I run [involves lifting at] a percentage from their one rep max,” he says. The training program ensures progress while prioritizing safety. Claros says one of the biggest misconceptions about weightlifting is that it is a dangerous sport. “Only 3% of weightlifters get hurt, not including people that just go to the gym and lift weights. If you are working with a coach in good form and progression, it’s very rare for you to get hurt,” he says. As CrossFit grows in popularity and awareness in weightlifting increases, he says he hopes there will be more interest.
“We saw that people started to look at CrossFit and weightlifting as ways to get fit. With that growth, we saw the potential for Guam to be put on a higher stage,” he says. “Our goal within four years is to incorporate high school students and eventually include grade school students in about seven years. Our ultimate goal is to have one of our lifters in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.” For more information, email guamweightlifting@gmail.com. CONTINUED ON PG. 16
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Photo submitted by the Weightlifting Federation of Guam
Cover Feature///Weightlifting
Age: 25 Village: Asan Height: 4’11” Weight class: 63 kilograms moving to 58 kilograms Max snatch: 66 kilograms Max clean and jerk: 90 kilograms Notable accomplishments: Placed third in June 25 lift-off among 45 lifters in the 63 kilograms weight class Motivation: “The challenges and [my] passion for [weightlifting]. I love it. If I could I’d do it every day, but coach tells us to take rest days.”
Age: 23 Village: Asan Height: 5’8” Weight class: 94 kilograms Max snatch: 116 kilograms Max clean and jerk: 140 kilograms Notable accomplishments: Being part of the first national team to represent Guam in 15 years at the 2015 Pacific Games in October and placing third overall in the Guam Weightlifting Federation Friday night lift-off Motivation: “I like that it’s a long process. It’s a lot of work, but also a lot of planning. I like that you learn about yourself day in and day out. You see what your body is capable of. It’s really humbling seeing how far I’ve come in two years.”
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TEAM CAPTAIN Age: 22 Village: Tamuning Height: 5’8” Weight class: 85 kilograms Max snatch: 128 kilograms Max clean and jerk: 153 kilograms Notable accomplishments: Represented Guam at the 2015 Oceania Weightlifting Championship at Port Moresby, placing second in weight class Motivation: “Seeing the other islands and the numbers they put up, I try to be better for the next time. In weightlifting there’s always the chance of doing better.”
Age: 25 Village: Dededo Height: 5’2” Weight class: 69 kilograms Max snatch: 103 kilograms Max clean and jerk: 69 kilograms Notable accomplishments: Placed ninth in weight class at the 2016 Oceania Weightlifting Championship at Port Moresby Motivation: “What I like most is that it’s challenging. […] Also it’s the only sport I can succeed in considering my height. I can keep improving. I also like helping others through coaching.”
Age: 31 Village: Mongmong Height: 5’4” Weight class: 69 kilograms Max snatch: 63 kilograms Max clean and jerk: 79 kilograms Notable achievements: Reached personal goal of snatching more than 45 kilograms Motivation: “It’s fun. When I hit my goal, it made me want to do more and push more. You don’t know your limits until you test yourself.”
Age: 29 Village: Asan Height: 5’2” Weight class: 75 kilograms Max snatch: 68 kilograms Max clean and jerk: 77 kilograms Notable achievements: Reached personal goal of 68 kilograms snatch Motivation: “It’s a stress reliever. The other athletes push you to better yourself and to get better. You get to know your weaknesses and strong spots.”
Age: 22 Village: Height: 5’1” Weight class: 53 kilograms Max snatch: 68 kilograms Max clean and jerk: 84 kilograms Notable achievements: Won bronze for snatch in the 2015 Pacific Games Motivation: “I really did fall in love with the sport and trying to get better and meeting personal goals. It’s fun and you can transfer to other sports.”
Age: 24 Village: Tamuning Height: 5’6” Weight class: 69 kilograms Max snatch:102 kilograms Max clean and jerk: 120 kilograms Notable achievements: Represented Guam in the 2015 Pacific Games Motivation: “It’s not just about strength, but also finesse, speed and accuracy. The sport helps build athleticism.”
Special Feature///Jeff ’s Pirates Cove
Jeff’s Pirates Cove STORY BY JOY WHITE
With a magnificent view of Guam’s coast and the pristine ocean waters lapping almost at one’s feet, Jeff ’s Pirates Cove has been a popular gathering place for decades. Jeff Pleadwell, the proprietor of Jeff ’s Pirates Cove, has been operating the restaurant for 37 years. What once began as a passion has become one of southern Guam’s most iconic landmarks. Jeff ’s Pirates Cove is a family restaurant, where kids (and adults) can play and relax on the beach, marvel at the various artifacts on display in the Seaside Museum, purchase pirate and island accessories at the gift shop or play volleyball and basketball. The restaurant’s open-air design allows guests to appreciate the ocean breeze and Guam’s natural atmosphere while sipping on a drink or devouring one of the restaurant’s signature dishes or famous American-style breakfasts. “We try to keep it open to enjoy the view,” Pleadwell says. “We’ve been told [by customers] it’s the most peaceful place they ever found,” he says. All are welcome. “We don’t cater to anyone in particular but everyone in general,” Pleadwell says. The restaurant and surrounding property are well-known for their historic military background. “Due to the location [… the area] has always attracted a lot of people, especially fishermen,” Pleadwell says. The property sits directly on the beach and is close to the Togcha River. In ancient times, the property was a fishing village before it became a coconut plantation. A schooner from Saipan would arrive, harvest the coconuts and return to Saipan, Pleadwell says. During World War II, Japanese
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Jeff’s Pirates Cove in 1979
Special Feature///Jeff ’s Pirates Cove
forces built a pill box to keep watch for the U.S. invasion. After the war in 1945, the U.S. military opened a dispensary and a Naval rehabilitation center called Camp Ethridge, which included lodging for 450, Quonset huts and activities for rest and recuperation like skeet ball and a saltwater pool BPM Construction Co. eventually took over and in 1948 built the Steak House, a high-end restaurant where waiters wore tuxedos. In 1952, Adrian Ladeau established Pirates Cove, launching the pirate legend. Then in 1964 Jimmy Cruz, a veteran that had served as a military steward under Adm. William Halsey Jr. and a friend of Pleadwell, purchased the restaurant. Pleadwell took over in 1979, following Cruz’s death. The restaurant had been Pleadwell’s neighborhood watering hole. As for Pleadwell himself, he first came to Guam in 1962. His father had been in the Navy and had worked at the Navy’s power plant in Piti. After graduating from George Washington High School in 1967, he worked at the Outrigger Canoe Club in Hawaii, which sparked his interest in operating the restaurant business. Pleadwell studied hotel and restaurant management before obtaining a bachelor’s from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas in 1973. He returned to Guam in 1973 and did brief stints with the Bank of Hawaii and KATB Radio, which is now K57. The first eight years operating the restaurant were difficult for Pleadwell. He did not make any profit from the restaurant and kept the business afloat with determination and passion and by working on the base commissary. “I think the restaurant business is the hardest to be successful in,” he says. But today, Pleadwell is happy and elated that the restaurant is becoming busier than ever, he says. During restaurant hours, Pleadwell can be seen checking on guests, occasionally wearing an eye patch and happily obliging customers’ requests for photos. All those years ago, he hadn’t set out to be a pirate, but slowly grew into one, Pleadwell says. Jeff ’s Pirates Cove has hosted many concerts, arts and crafts fairs, festivals and every contest under the sun, including bikini contests and hot legs contests. Notable performers include Maxi Priest, Jimmy Cliff, Mike Love, Steppenwolf, Bubba B, Kapena and, most recently, Katchafire. The restaurant is available for private parties, weddings and birthdays and can accommodate about 400 to 500 people. Jeff ’s Pirates Cove is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday.
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Sports///Olympics
BY JOY WHITE
Five athletes are representing Guam at the 2016 Olympic Games from Aug. 5 to 21 at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. These athletes have numerous athletic accomplishments and will strive for personal bests as well as to proudly represent the island. Guam has sent athletes to compete in every summer games since the 1988 Summer Games in Seoul. One Guam athlete also competed in the 1988 Winter Games in Calgary. Though no medals have been won for Guam, notable achievements include canoeist Sean Pangelinan advancing to semi finals at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, and judoka Ricardo Blas Jr. advancing to the Round of 16 in the Judo competition in the 2012 Games in London.
Benjamin Schulte Pilar Shimizu
Regine Tugade will also represent Guam in athletics in track and field, but was unable to respond to R&R Pacific for this feature.
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Sports///Olympics
Pilar Shimizu, 20 Swimming Achievements and awards: • Guam National Record in the 100 meter breaststroke • Silver medals in the 50 meter breaststroke and the 100 meter breaststroke at the 2011 and 2015 Pacific Games in Papua New Guinea • Gold medal in the 200 yard Medley Relay at the 2011 and 2015 NCAA Division III Swimming Championships • Seven gold medals at the 2014 Micronesian Games in Pohnpei • 2012 Olympic Games in London What I love about the sport: “[I have been swimming] for 16 years, since I was 4 years old. I love multiple things about swimming: it is a zero-impact sport, it is an incredible full-body form of exercise, it has team aspects but is an individual sport and what you put into it is exactly what you get out of it.” Looking forward to: “Doing my absolute best and making my family and my island proud.” Random fact: “I really love Korean pop (aka K-Pop) music even though I don’t understand the Korean language.”
Josh Ilustre, 22 Athletics, track and field Achievements and awards: • Best race with the University of Portland track team in February • First place in 1500 race, second in 800 race and first in 4x400 race at the the Micronesia Area Championship in June. What I love about the sport: “Every race, there are many opportunities to push yourself and do better. In running in general, you’re competing against yourself.” Looking forward to: “Being on the same starting line as star athletes. It’s humbling, at the least. I never thought one day I would be toeing the line with them.” Random fact: First language is sign language
Benjamin Schulte, 20 Swimming Achievements and awards: • Swimmer of the Meet at 2015 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference • Man of the Year Runner-Up at the 2012 World Open Water Swimming • 2012 Olympic Games in London What I love about the sport: “I started swimming when I was 5 and started competing I think when I was 7. I love getting to the final of an event and being a contender for a podium finish. It’s such a rush turning around after you finish the race and seeing a one, two or three next to your name. That feeling makes all the hard work worthwhile.” Looking forward to: “Knowing that I’ll be swimming and representing Guam in front of the world gets me so motivated and excited, and I can’t wait to step out onto the pool deck for my event and soak in the whole experience. The crowd in London had so much energy, and I’m sure Rio will be even more exciting.” Random fact: “I’m a tutor at my university. I tutor calculus, writing (proofreading and editing) and beginner Mandarin Chinese.”
Dr. Peter Lombard, 40 Mountain biking Achievements and awards: • Guam National Mountain Bike Champion • Guam National Road Champion • Oceania Mountain Bike Champion What I love about the sport: “It’s a fun way to stay in shape. Being out there in nature, there’s little risk that keeps you on edge. It takes away the monotony of exercising.” Looking forward to: “Being an ambassador for Guam and putting my best foot forward. [I’m looking forward to] the camaraderie with the other Guam athletes. This is actually a dream of mine. [I want to] soak it all in and enjoy the experience as well as bringing back the experience to help develop cycling on Guam.” Random fact: Was an elite gymnast in college and captain of the team
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Technology///Popular Apps
Trending in Apps BY JOY WHITE
Smart phones are a part of everyday life, and just like many places in the world, Guam smart phone users are keen on the latest and greatest apps. Local companies have already ventured into launching their own apps. R&R Pacific put together a list of our favorite trending and Guam-specific apps.
Pokemon Go Type: Game/entertainment Price: Free Features: Utilize phone’s camera and GPS to augment reality to catch Pokemon in physical surroundings. Available for Android, iPhone and Windows
Sky Map
Type: Education Price: Free Features: Discover and search for the locations of constellations, stars, planets, moon phases and other celestial oddities when phone’s camera is pointed to the sky. Available for Android, iPhone and Windows
Speak Chamorro
Type: Education/ productivity/ language Price: Free Features: Access and learn Chamorro phrases and words.
Available for Android and iPhone
Taste Guam
Type: Restaurant Price: Free Features: Find restaurant menus, contact information, details and photos for a variety of local restaurants.
Available for Android and iPhone
Regal Cinemas
Type: Entertainment Price: Free Features: Browse local movie schedules, purchase tickets and participate in the rewards program. Available for Android, iPhone and Windows
Stroll Guam Type: Transportation Price: Free Features: Arrange a ride any time of day or night with a network of vetted drivers
Available for Android and iPhone
Fandango Movies
Type: Entertainment Price: Free Features: Browse local movie schedules, purchase tickets and participate in the rewards program.
Periscope
Type: Media/entertainment Price: Free Features: Broadcast, view and comment on video live anywhere in the world Available for Android and iPhone
Available for Android, iPhone and Windows
Menu Guam
Type: Restaurant Price: Free Features: Find restaurant menus, contact information, details and photos for a variety of local restaurants.
Guamoji
Type: Lifestyle Price: 99¢ Features: Access library of Guam-specific emoticons for use in messaging. Available for Android and iPhone
Available for Android and iPhone
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Trending///Guam Weekly
@guamweekly #showcasingguam
Instagram used as a platform to showcase Guam STORY BY JOY WHITE
Life through the eyes and experiences of current and former Guam residents is on display on Guam Weekly, a community Instagram account. The account was started by Bertran “Bert” Palacios and Francis Valencia. The pair had been coworkers at a campus coffee shop, managing the shop’s Instagram account, when they decided to use Instagram as a platform to share their love for the island. “[We asked ourselves] why don’t we give back to the island?” Palacios says. “We wanted to help put Guam on the map.” Every week a different host manages the account. The first post is a selfie and an introduction. Participants must post one photo every day. Organizations and businesses are also welcome to host the account to promote products and events. “The goal is to showcase [people’s] lives on the platform. Some people do big things. We want them to show us how they represent Guam,” Valencia says. The project has gotten a lot of positive feedback, Palacios says. The account has attracted more than 8,000 followers in a year from all over the world, including the United States, Asia and Dubai.
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For some living abroad who have not been to Guam in a while, the account brings about nostalgia and reminds them of home, Valencia says. Notable hosts have include Lt. Gov. Raymond S. Tenorio, Miss Universe Guam Brittany Bell and Billy Navarrette, who competed in “Ninja Warrior.” In June in recognition of Youth Month, students from Guam and abroad were invited to share their experience and give advice to other students. Often hosts are worried they will be judged, but Valencia says it’s important to show their perspective. “What really matters is variety,” Valencia says. Sunset photos are the very popular among followers, but Valencia prefers the photos that have long descriptions that allow him to feel as if he were there. Future plans for the account include encouraging followers of the account to be more involved in the comments, growing the following and connecting with partners for more opportunities, such as giveaways.
Essence of Guam///Piti
piti
POINTS OF INTEREST 1. Piti Guns 2. Mahogany Forest 3. Piti Bomb holes 4. Santa Cruz Shrines/Antantano 5. Fish Eye Marine Park 6. Our Lady of Assumption
Mayor: Vicente “Ben” D. Gumataotao Population: 1,454 Fiesta: Second Saturday in August
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Photos by Rueben Olivas
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Catholic Church
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Sumay Pub & Grill
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Angela M. Duenas Resident of Piti for 14 years “I love living in Nimitz Hill located in Piti. The ocean and mountain views are priceless. Driving along the ocean on Route 1 from Adelup through Asan and past the War in the Pacific park has got to be one of the most beautiful drives in the world. There is no better way to begin and end your day. We are just far enough from the hustle and bustle to be considered a southern village, yet we are 10-15 minutes away from the heart of Hagåtña. I live where most people dream to visit and call Piti paradise.”
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Essence of Guam///Barrigada
Barrigada
POINTS OF INTEREST 1.
San Roque/San Vicente Catholic Church
2. U.S. Post Office headquarters 3. Crown Bakery 4. Barrigada Village Mural 5. Guam Memorial Park 6. Barrigada Heights/
Barigåda Mayor: June U. Blas Vice mayor: Jessie P. Bautista Population: 8,875 Fiestas: April for San Vicente; August for San Roke and San Ramon
Mount Barrigada
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Photos by Rueben Olivas
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St. Dominic’s Senior Care Home A.B. Won Pat International Airport
7 John Wusstig Resident of Barrigada for 28 years
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“The best thing is the central location. I have family in Dededo and my wife’s family is in Barrigada. It’s a stone’s throw from the airport, and on one side you can go to Dededo and other side you can go to Tamuning. Where we live is not the main road and there are only three houses, so it’s close [to everything] but secluded and we get to enjoy our privacy. Also, our mayors respond very well. We can call them and they will listen.”
Essence of Guam///Mangilao
POINTS OF INTEREST 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Mangilao
Santa Teresita Catholic Church University of Guam
Mayor: Nonito “Nito” C. Blas Vice mayor: Alan R.G. Ungacta Population: 15,191 Fiesta: September for Santa Teresita
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Onward Mangilao Golf Club Ladera Tower Mangilao mural Guam Community College Marbo Cave Pagat Cave
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Photos by Rueben Olivas
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Thousand Steps
Francisco Palacios Resident of Mangilao for nine years “I love all the other villages on island, but Mangilao has created such a convenient and relaxing environment for me. For one, I literally live one minute away from where I work. I never have to rush like many others who constantly get stuck in rush hour traffic. Secondly, I am two minutes away from the water, such as the UOG Marine Lab and Pago Bay, so if I want to go fishing, snorkeling or just want to get in the water, I can get there in no time. Last but not least are my neighbors. I live next to wonderful people and it just makes life much better when you are surrounded by people you truly get along with.”
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Science///Falkor
Making waves in marine science
Research vessel explores nearby waters STORY BY JOY WHITE PHOTOS BY VIKKI FONG
In Guam’s backyard, a group of scientists is making groundbreaking discovers in the depths of the Pacific Ocean. Schmidt Ocean Institutes’ research vessel Falkor left Apra Harbor on July 16 to test the latest addition to its research capabilities, the remotely operated vehicle SUBastion. Schmidt Ocean Institute is a privately funded organization dedicated to uncovering the ocean’s secrets and sharing all of its data and discoveries with the world. Falkor is registered in the Cayman Islands but claims no homeport. “We have a great freedom to roam all the oceans in the world and provide a platform for science in areas where there is not so much or no funding for other institutions going there,” says Bernd Buchner, captain of Falkor. Falkor was built in 1981 in Germany as a fisheries patrol ship. Schmidt Ocean Institute converted it to a research vessel after it was decommissioned in 2009. “[She was] versatile and well-built. She was built for rough sea …,” the captain says. Falkor made its maiden journey across the Atlantic Ocean, then sailed through the Caribbean, the Gulf of
Mexico and the Panama Canal and into the Pacific Ocean. “Since 2012, we’ve been roaming these waters and are calling Guam now a third time. So we probably can call Guam a little bit of a home port,” Buchner says. From July 16 to Aug. 19, the team is testing its newest asset, SUBastion. A team of six engineers built the vehicle in less than a year, designing it with Falkor’s capabilities in mind. “[SUBastion will] take pictures of what she’ll see. She can image. She can also collect data. She can collect mud, rocks [and] little critters from the sea floor and store them for later,” says David Wotherspoon, vehicle and development manager SUBastion will be undergoing a series of engineering tests, diving slowly toward its maximum depth capabilities of 4,500 meters. After the initial testing phase, Falkor will return to Guam before setting out on its next adventure. All findings and live feeds of Falkor’s journeys are available to the public on at schmidtocean.org. To see more photos, visit the R&R Pacific Facebook page.
RV Falkor Specifications • Overall length: 82.9 meters • Maximum speed: 17 knots • Cruising speed: 10 – 12 knots • Endurance (with 41 personnel on board): 36 days Programs • Artist-at-Sea program • Student opportunities
ROV SUBastion Mechanical specifications • Maximum operating depth: 4,500 meters • Overall dimensions: 2.7 x 1.8 x 1.8 meters • Maximum transit speed: 3 knots • Physical sampling capabilities: water sampler, biological collection, suction sampler and core tubes • Imaging capabilities: situational camera, science camera and auxiliary cameras including port side peripheral, side peripheral, umbilical monitor, rear view, manipulator arm camera and three tooling and payload cameras. • Sonar capabilities: scanning and imaging
FUN FACT Schmidt Ocean Institute founders Eric and Wendi Schmidt are fans of children’s fantasy novel “The Never Ending Story” authored by Michael Enge. The ship and its various vessels are named after characters from the book. For example, Bastion is the story’s protagonist and Falkor is a luck dragon and Bastion’s companion.
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New in town///Mom’s Bop Burger
Restaurant introduces Korean “burgers” Don’t let the name deceive you — the burgers at Mom’s Bop Burger are far from traditional. The burgers bring together the distinct flavors of Korean spices, rice and local staples in a tasty package. STORY AND PHOTOS BY AKINA CHARGUALAF
Mom’s Bop Burger serves rice burgers, which are patties of meat and vegetables seasoned with authentic Korean sauces sandwiched between two servings of seasoned rice resembling burger buns. The restaurant has more than 35 items to choose from. Other than rice burgers, the shop offers soups, salads and meals to-go. Popular items on the menu include the Spam Burger — two rice “buns” sandwiching a generous amount of tuna, Spam, kimchee and cheese — and the Bulgogi Burger. Burgers range from $5 to $7, while other items range from $5 to $8. All items are designed for take-out. “It’s an eat-and-run kind of meal,” says Delbert Calvo, general manager for both Mom’s Bop Burger and the neighboring teppanyaki restaurant, Shogun. “This is very popular in Korea for students and businesses because of time [constraints].” However, the Mom’s Bop Burger seating area offers a cheerful atmosphere, should one decide to eat before hitting the road. “It’s something different from other local businesses on Guam,” Calvo says. “Everybody is used to Korean food, which is the setting, kalbi and the bulgogi, but we try to change things up to try to make it different from everybody else.” The name is derived from the friendly and warm word everyone is familiar with, “Mom,” says Kim Yuni, who owns the restaurant with spouse Kim Moon-soo. The shop was inspired by a Korean rice burger franchise called DDung’s Bob Burger. DDung’s Bob Burger is popular in Korea and located close to schools and universities, which gave the Kims the idea to bring it to Guam. Mom’s Bop Burger is located across from the Pacific Islands Club in Tumon, next to Shogun. Mom’s Bop Burgers is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
The rice “bun”
the filling
The rice “bun”
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Restaurants & Food///Bars and lounges
Tower of London Pub
This “English Pub with an international flare” offers more than 60 imported beers and five keg beers from England, Germany and Austria. The pub is also popular for its shuffleboard table, dart boards, pool tables and video games Hours of operation: 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Location: Unit 207, San Vitores Road/Ypao Road Tamuning Phone number: 646-4414
Exit
Newly opened in June, Exit caters to a mature crowd and features live music to set the mood. Hours of operation: 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Location: San Vitores Plaza 1097, San Vitores Road, Suite 102, Tumon Phone number: 888-2943
TOP SHELF
BY JOY WHITE
From upscale saloons to casual watering holes with character, Guam’s bar scene is bustling with a wide variety of options to relax while off the clock. 38
WITH A TWIST
Restaurants & Food///Bars and lounges
Chili’s Grill & Bar
This casual restaurant offers the best of both worlds: good drinks and good eats. Hours of operation: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily Location: Guam Premier Outlets, 225 Chalan San Antonio, Tamuning Phone number: 648-7377
CHILLED
ON THE ROCKS
ON THE BEACH
Pacific Star Pool Bar
Open to the sea breeze, Pacific Star Pool Bar is the place to enjoy the tropical atmosphere, sip signature cocktails and relax. Industry Nights on Fridays feature food and drink specials and live entertainment. Hours of operation: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Location: First floor, Pacific Star Resort & Spa Phone number: 649-7827
Top of the Reef
With a magnificent view of Tumon Bay, the Top of the Reef offers an upscale, relaxing atmosphere. Live entertainment Friday and Saturday will help liven up the evening. Happy hour, which includes complimentary appetizers, is from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Hours of operation: 6 p.m. to midnight daily Location: 18th floor, Guam Reef Hotel & Olive Spa Phone number: 644-3160
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OUT&ABOUT
out & about
Photos by Colin Kirk
Exit in Tumon celebrated its grand opening on June 3.
Photos by Colin Kirk
The Tower of London Pub in Tumon celebrated its 30th anniversary on June 11 in Tumon.
SEND US YOUR PHOTOS! TO SUBMIT YOUR PHOTOS FOR OUT & ABOUT, EMAIL HIGH-RESolution PHOTOs to: rrpacificguam@gmail.com
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PLEASE INCLUDE: - CAPTIONS (NAMES, DATE, EVENT NAME AND LOCATION) - YOUR NAME AND VILLAGE
OUT&ABOUT
Photos courtesy of Guam Visitors Bureau
The Guam BBQ Block Party was held July 2 in Tumon’s Pleasure Island.
Photos by Jackie Hanson
The second Street Grinds & Finds, a food truck festival, was held on July 15 in Hagåtña.
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