R&R Pacific - August 2015 by R&R Pacific

calendar of events • travel • tech • recreation • health & fitness • restaurants • culture & arts • special features • nightlife • coupons & much more

AUGUST 2015

SEEING DOUBLE

“Twinning” at life

Local sound, national recognition

For Peace Band

An outrigger canoe tour through the Utwe Biosphere Reserve of Kosrae. Photo by Jackie Hanson

contents TRAVEL

Kosrae

ART

For Peace Band

CALENDAR

Guide to August events

essence of guam

Twin-Sights

TECH REVIEW

Moto 360 smart watch

SPECIAL FEATURE

Megavision El Drako

SPECIAL FEATURE

Meskla Deli

Seafood sensation

restaurants/food out & about

Event photos

SPECIAL FEATURE

Vitale’s Italiano Ristorante

Gymnastics

SPORTS

18 20

22 25 27

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.

www.facebook.com/rrpacificguam On the cover: A meeting of twins at The Point, Sheraton Laguna Guam Resort. (From left) Landon Aydlett; Angela Limtiaco; Stephanie Christian; Danielle Concepcion; Danize Conception; and Brandon Aydlett. Photo by Joe Cruz.

2015

R&R Pacific/August

PUBLISHER

SENIOR DESIGNER

Maureen N. Maratita

MANAGING EDITOR

SALES MANAGER

Jackie Hanson

Vikki Fong Annie San Nicolas

ASSISTANT EDITOR

ACCOUNT MANAGERS

Joy White

Joedda Sanchez

REPORTERS

ADMINISTRATION

Thomas Johnson

Janice Castro, Jessica Quintanilla

Shaina Marie Santos

Carmelita McClellan and Vincent Leon Guerrero

PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR

MANAGING DIRECTOR

Marcos Fong

Rosanna Dacanay

Glimpses of Guam Inc. Mission Statement: To be a renowned communications company that connects people with information through creative, engaging and effective products.

Glimpses Publications include: Marianas Business Journal • Guam Business Magazine • R&R Pacific • Beach Road Magazine

R&R Pacific • August 2015 • Entire contents copyrighted 2015 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.

STORY BY Joy White | PHOTOS BY Jackie Hanson

Vacationing in Kosrae is returning to natureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s simple pleasures. The remote island has plenty of sun and surf to soak up and island beauty to admire. Days in Kosrae will be spent hiking to ancient ruins, kayaking in the mangroves, fishing and surfing. Nights will be spent gazing at the stars in a flawless sky.

Travel///Kosrae

(Facing page) A waterfall on the day-long hike to Mt. Finkol. (Clockwise from top left) Local tour guide Tadao Wakuk makes a stop in the Walung Mangroves in an outrigger canoe he made himself; View from the top of Mt. Finkol, the highest point on Kosrae at 2,064 feet; Open-air cottages at Kosrae Village Ecolodge & Dive Resort, one of five lodging options on the island; The Lelu Ruins, an ancient empire complex considered one of the wonders of the Pacific.

Kosrae is the second largest and Eastern-most island of the Federated States of Micronesia. The journey will begin aboard United Airline’s Island Hopper flight from Guam or Honolulu, landing on Chuuk and Pohnpei before arriving at Kosrae International Airport. The roads are made of coral and asphalt, which can be very slippery when wet, so if renting a car, be careful and keep in mind that the speed limit is quite low. Taxis are also available, and shuttles can be arranged through one of several hotels or resorts. The island is well-known as a diver’s paradise, with pristine reefs, clear waters and more than 50 dive sites identified by local diving experts. The dive sites are marked with numbered buoys. Hard coral gardens can be found on the Eastern side of the islands, giving way to plunging walls on the Western side. Sea life can be found the reef ’s edge. One of the most popular dive spots is Walung Drop-off. Sheet walls that are home to schools of barracuda can be found at the drop-off, in addition to other marine animals, such as small hammerhead and reef sharks, turtle and a variety of small invertebrates. The remnants of the Leonora, a sunken pirate ship, can be found at Utwe Harbor. According to legend, notorious 19th century American pirate Bully Hayes used the harbor as a roadstead, but his ship sunk during a typhoon. Other popular dive spots include Malem Reef Shelf, Hiroshi Point, the Yela Harbor Wall, Shark Island and Blue Hole.

Adventurers will feel like Indiana Jones as they traverse the lush jungles of Kosrae to explore its ruins. On Lelu Island, which is connected to Kosrae by a causeway, adventures will uncover the ruins of a walled city built between the 13th and 14th centuries for Kosraean royalty. Royal burial mounds and the dwelling compounds of the high chiefs made from hexagonal basalt logs stand as testaments to the island people’s past. Another hike to the Menke Ruins will satiate all adventurers. Other hiking trails lead visitors to breathtaking sites, such as the multiple cascading waterfalls of Mt. Ola and Japanese caves from World War II. Hiking, diving and kayaking tours can be arranged with local tour guides by the hotels or resorts. While on the island, be on the look-out for handicrafts such as accessories, woven bags and carvings made from wood, shells and palm or banana tree fibers, as well citrus fruit. Kosrae is well-known for its oranges, limes, mandarins and tangerines that can be found at fruit stands. Other local fruit to be found in the fruit stands include the usual tropical fare: bananas, breadfruit, coconut, mango, star fruit, papaya, guava, sour sop and others, depending on the season. The main staple foods in Kosrae and the rest of the Federated States of Micronesia are taro, yam, breadfruit, banana and coconuts, of which there are hundreds of varieties. Bounty from the sea is also part of the local diet, including reef fish, crab and shellfish.

Art///Music

Peace de resistance: For Peace Band

Since its formation in 2012, the group now known as For Peace Band has been building a name for itself, representing Guam regionally and abroad. STORY BY Thomas Johnson | PHOTOS COURTESY OF For Peace Band

Originally formed as the 4 Piece Band, the group — made up of guitarist Ronald “RJ” Pereira, keyboardists Jacob Iosia and Marc Elliott, drummer Freddy Bordallo and bassist Danton Cruz — has established itself not only as one of the best reggae bands on Guam today, but as one of the top up-andcoming acts throughout the Oceanic region. Not content to play the local club circuit forever, the group traveled to Hawaii in 2013 to broaden its horizons. They played alongside many of the state’s local reggae acts and brought that experience home with them to release their first full-length album, “Forwards Ever,” in the summer of 2014. “Jacob and myself both live in Santa Rita and it was interesting because I didn’t really want to play reggae anymore when we met,” Bordallo says, “but Jacob inspired me to start a band with a different model of reggae music. Because, in our experience, the main expression of reggae music on Guam usually comes through being part of a cover band, but Jacob was a veteran from Hawaii who had already released two albums and that inspired me to be a part of something original. The culmination was when we met up with RJ and Marc, we wanted to really get serious, put our message out there and take it to a broader audience.” The album, an instant hit, peaked at #9 on the iTunes reggae chart in its first week, putting the band on the fast track to a much broader worldwide audience and paving the way for much larger gigs like their sponsored stateside tour earlier this spring. Bordallo, Pereira, Iosia, Elliott and Cruz arenow back on island, working on their sophomore album, and hope to keep spreading the good vibes for as long as they can. “I won’t get too much into the touring aspect of it,” Pereira says, “but not many bands can say what we can, that we have 100% original music, and I think that a lot of the success we’ve had so far comes from the fact that we love what we do and we’re not afraid of what other people have to say about our music. And that’s what we want to push forward to other musicians, don’t be afraid of what you have to say through your music, you never know until you put it out there.”

AUGUST events

August 1

Boonie Stomp: Invasion Route to Tony’s Falls

featured event

Level: Difficult Duration: Four hours Length: Two miles Time: 9 a.m. (meet at center court of Chamorro Village) Price: $2 for adults over 12 Bring: Three quarts water, good shoes, gloves, swimsuit, sunscreen, sunglasses, insect repellent, lunch and camera. Special conditions: Sword grass, steep slopes and walking in water. August 1

Epixcon Location: First floor expo hall, Agana Shopping Center August 1

Guam Running Club’s 30th Tsunami 10K Time: 6 a.m. Location: Nimitz Beach, Agat For more information contact guahanrunningclub@gmail.com August 8

Boonie Stomp: Base Hike - Haputo Beach Level: Easy Duration: Three hours Length: One mile Time: 9 a.m. (meet at center court of Chamorro Village) For those without base access, you must sign up on August 1 at 9 a.m. Price: $2 for adults over 12 Bring: Two quarts water, snorkel gear, sunscreen, sunglasses, insect repellent, lunch and camera. Special conditions: Hot sun, no dogs. August 11 to 16

August 22

Boonie Stomp Geus River with Finansanta Boonie Stomp Geus River with Finansanta Explore the deep gorge, river, and waterfalls of the Geus Valley with Guam Boonie Stompers. For the bold, an optional climb to Mount Finansanta will be offered. Special conditions of the hike include sword grass, steep slopes and walking in water and over rock, making it a very difficult trek. The six-hour hike is four miles. Be sure to bring four quarts water, hiking shoes, gloves, sun screen, sunglasses, insect repellent, lunch and a camera. Guam Boonie Stompers is a non-profit Guam corporation composed of volunteer leaders committed to leading hikes to and protecting the unique destinations. Complete 10 Boonie Stomps to earn a free Boonie Stomp T-Shirt. TIME: 9 a.m. (meet at center court of Chamorro Village) PRICE: $2 for adults over 12 For more information: Call 787-4238 or visit www.facebook.com/GuamBoonieStompersInc

Guam Women’s Baseball Cup 2015 Location: Leo Palace Resort Guam

August 15

August 13

Guam Running Club’s 43rd Tumon Beach 5.5 Mile Run

Guam Art Exhibit – The Portrait opening Time: 7 p.m. Location: Agana Shopping Center For more information contact guamartexhibit@gmail.com.

Time: 6 a.m. Location: Gov. Joseph Flores Ypao Beach Park For more information email guahanrunningclub@gmail.com

EVENTSCALENDAR

AUGUST sun

mon

tue

wed

thu

fri

sat 1 • Boonie Stomp: Invasion Route to Tony’s Falls

7 MOVIES

Fantastic Four Masterminds Ricki and the Flash Shaun the Sheep Movie

• Guam Women’s Baseball Cup 2015 (Aug. 11-16)

MOVIES

The Man from U.N.C.L.E Straight Outta Compton Underdogs

• Boonie Stomp: Base Hike Haputo Beach

15 • Boonie Stomp: Tarzan Falls • Guam Running Club’s 43rd Tumon Beach 5.5 Mile Run

MOVIES

• Boonie Stomp Geus River with Finansanta `

Sinister 2 American Ultra Hitman: Agent 47 She’s Funny That Way

MOVIES

Regression We Are Your Friends War Room Max Steel

• Boonie Stomp: Southeast Coast

FEATURED MOVIE August 28

Max Steel Directed by Stewart Hendler Starring: Ben Winchell, Ana Villafañe, Andy García, Maria Bello and Billy Slaughter

Based on Mattel’s worldwide best-selling action figure, this origin story teams up 16-year-old Max McGrath and alien Steel, who evolve into Max Steel, a superhero with tremendous powers. The two unlikely companions struggle to accept their oddly connected fates as they battle forces threatening the world.

*Event times and dates may change without notice.

Twin-sights STORY BY Joy White and Shaina Marie Santos | PHOTOS BY Joe Cruz

Matching clothes, mistaken identities and sharing almost everything â&#x20AC;&#x201C; these are the daily struggles of almost every set of twins, despite different ages and upbringings. But despite that, each set of siblings couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t imagine being without the other.

“We never really think about the closeness of being a twin, except we always have that best friend. We always have that person there very close, near or far … There’s always that connection.” ~LANDON AYDLETT

(Facing page) Identical twins Stephanie Christian and Angela Limtiaco are neighbors and teachers. (From left) Identical twins Brandon and Landon Aydlett are meteorologists at the National Weather Service and are musicians in the Guam Territorial Band.

Forces of nature “We never really think about the closeness of being a twin, except we always have that best friend. We always have that person there very close, near or far. … There’s always that connection,” Landon Aydlett says of his identical twin brother, Brandon. The Aydlett brothers, originally from the East Coast of North Carolina, both work as meteorologists, but it was not part of the plan. In 2007, Brandon took a job in the Marshall Islands, while Landon remained in the states to pursue a master’s in education. “It was a huge decision once he decided to come over here [to the Pacific],” Landon says. “After he left, it wasn’t that bad. […] It was great. I went the whole semester without telling anyone I was a twin, so people knew me as me instead of us, and for the first time in my life, I lived six months as a single person. The funny thing is, I got stopped by a classmate once and was asked why I kept referring to myself in the plural. ” On the other side of the world, Brandon had the same experience. “Me leaving to go to Kwajalein was supposed to be ‘the big split,’” Brandon says. “I was getting used to being a single person: no attachments, singular pronouns, getting used to doing my own thing.” But when a position opened up in the same office, Brandon let his brother know. At first, Landon was hesitant, but upon the advice from a professor, took the opportunity. The brothers almost split again when the contract ended. Brandon came to Guam and Landon decided to return to the states, but a second opening at the Guam weather office brought Brandon and Landon back together again.

Inseparable sisters “We were almost inseparable. In elementary we would always go to each other’s classes and always be together. They had to literally separate us in order for them to do their jobs as educators because we would always go with each other,” Danize Conception says, of her younger sister by two minutes, Danielle. Fraternal twins, Danize and Danielle agree that while they have similar interests and values, they approach situations differently, have different methods of solving problems and interact with others differently. Because of this, the sisters say they balance each other out. Danielle is pursuing a master’s in clinical psychology, while Danize completed a bachelor’s degree in sociology. “We go at it our own way, and if we need more advice, then we go to each other for advice,” Danielle says. By middle school the sisters pursued their own interests and extracurricular activities, but they continue to have the same general interests and taste in music and clothing. Nowadays, they have different schedules, but they always make time to talk with each other, even if it’s just a few minutes before bed. The longest they have spent apart was three weeks. “There’s never a day that we don’t talk to each other. […] That’s one of the things I’m waiting for is when she leaves for her doctorate studies. It will take a lot of getting used to, most definitely,” Danize says. In the meantime, the sisters are enjoying their time together. “It’s fun that people see us as twins, even though we have different personalities,” Danize says.

(Left) Fraternal twins Danielle and Danize Concepcion pursue their different interests but still find time to talk to each other every day. (Right) Cathy and Christina Nguyen share an interest in science. Photo by Shaina Marie Santos.

Philanthropic pair “There’s a type of synergy. I think that we’ve accepted that we’re here to support each other. We would be able to accomplish more supporting one another rather than trying to get ahead,” Jesse Quenga says of his relationship with is identical twin brother, Anthony. Jesse and Anthony are known for dressing alike every day. One of the many reasons they do so is because helps them stand out from other twins, because at some point, they say, most twins have stopped dressing alike. Together Jesse and Anthony hope to make a difference in the community, putting service first. “Over the years, we talked with each other on what our goals and how to achieve them - not that we want to take over the world, but to be contributing members to society and make it a better place than what it is for the future,” Anthony says. Jesse is pursuing his interest in public administration, while Anthony is pursuing his interest in business. Someday the brothers hope to be in positions that can work together and create positive change. They make decisions together and often discuss their opinions. “It’s very complex, our thinking and our behaviors. We may agree with each other but would also challenge each other,” Anthony says. Anthony and Jesse have their own unique ways of dealing with separation. Jesse will try to convince Anthony not to go beforehand, but once away, Anthony will insist on constant Skype calls. “I think the reason that we do that is we are each other’s confidant and act as each other’s devil’s advocate. We understand beyond what is being observed. […] It’s like a relationship everyone looks for. The companionship, the comfort, the support is all there. And I consider myself truly blessed to have him,” Anthony says.

Complementary company “We shared a womb, a room, a car,” Joelle Fernandez says. “We shared an identity, really,” Janna Fernandez says. Growing up, fraternal twins Janna and Joelle Fernandez spent almost every moment together — at school and at home — but started branching out in college. Joelle pursued interests in public relations and marketing, while Janna pursued studies in communications. “It’s the same thing but [with a] different approach; it reflects our personalities,” they say. In comparison, Janna is more social, while Joelle is more reserved. While their different lives and different jobs put them into situations where they may have to change their reactions and personalities, together they give way to each other’s personalities. As an example, Joelle will become quiet in social settings, letting Janna take the lead in conversations. “We already know the rules, know our rules,” Joelle says. The sisters’ talents complement each other as well. While Joelle is better at writing, Janna is better a math. “If we were one person we’d be perfect,” Janna says. In interacting with each other, Janna, born first, takes on the role as the older sister. And the sisters often argue with one another, mostly due to their similarities and differences and usually just before holidays and big events. “People want to help us fix it, but we fix it ourselves,” Joelle says. The sisters have always been one another’s biggest fans, and while they hold each other to a standard, they don’t feel pressured to compete against each other. “Everyone should have a twin,” Janna says.

(Left) Fraternal twins Joelle and Janna Fernandez pursue their different interests, argue sometimes and are still close. (Right) Jesse and Anthony Quenga, known for dressing alike, have hopes of making a difference in the community. Photos by Joy White.

Teachers times two “We were womb-mates, and now we are out-of-the-womb mates,” says Angela Limtiaco of her relationship with her identical twin sister, Stephanie Christian. Stephanie is the older twin by three minutes and takes on the role of the older sister. Growing up, Stephanie was the first to see the doctor and was able to tell Angela if it hurt or not, while Angela was more adventurous when it comes to trying new food, clothing, hairstyles or outdoor activities. In the second grade, the sisters were placed in separate classes. Stephanie made a fuss until their mother asked the principal to place them in the same classes. Angela and Stephanie teach the same grade at separate schools, and Stephanie and her husband now have a young daughter. When not at work the sisters spend most of their time together. They go shopping together and go exercise together. They are even next door neighbors. For a while, the longest the two had been apart had been about a day, until Stephanie left to Maryland for seven months. “It was like a part of me was missing,” Angela says. The sister’s don’t argue very much but still irritate each other. Stephanie admits she always wins because she is more outspoken. The two take advantage of being in the same profession and compare lesson plans and sometimes share resources. Sisters in science Quang and Dung Nguyen, Vietnamese refugees who made their

home on Guam, did not know they were going to have twins. On March 9, 1989, the couple received quite the surprise when their daughters, Christina and Cathy Nguyen, were born just one minute apart. “[My mom] didn’t know she was having twins until she gave birth — until she woke up,” Cathy says. “The doctor came out and said, ‘Congratulations, you’re having twins,’ and [my dad] didn’t know [the doctor was talking to] him, so he just ignored the doctor.” Their birth came as a shock, though the girls have twin uncles and twin great aunts. Today, at 26, Christina and Cathy share everything including an interest in science and technology, Korean pop music, a yen for travel and their bedrooms. The girls grew up almost completely inseparable. They are both graduate students in the environmental science program at the University of Guam, with undergraduate degrees in biology. The girls hope to study epidemiology, health and its environmental aspects in California. “We’re going to try to get our PhDs and try to get into the same school,” Cathy says. “Because the competition [in the states] is kind of hard, we might not, so we’ll try to be close. I think we’re more comfortable together. We have the same interests, so we like to do things together, and it’s a comfort to have [my sister] in my classes.” Though it is easy to see that the Nguyen sisters are identical, Christina and Cathy have never perceived themselves as a set. “I don’t think we ever realized we were twins,” Cathy says. “Everybody sees us as twins, but we see each other as two different people.” “We see each other as friends, too,” Christina adds.

Tech Review///Moto 360

Moto 360: The one to watch STORY BY: Thomas Johnson | PHOTO BY Joy White

When I first went into the market for an Android smart watch, my criteria was simple. It had to be a watch, first and foremost: stylish but subtle, with none of the design choices that make most smart watches look like calculator watches from the 1980s. And the Motorola Moto 360 delivers beautifully. With a round LCD Gorilla Glass screen encased in stainless steel and a very noticeable lack of bezel, the face of the 360 manages to be large without being chunky, and the choice of customizable leather and metal bands makes it a watch appropriate for almost any occasion. It’s easily one of the best-looking and well-designed smartwatches of the first generation, a feat marred only slightly by the small “flat tire” at the bottom of the screen where the watch’s sensors are housed. All looks aside, the 360 runs the exact same Android Wear OS as its competitors, with the slight handicap of an older Texas Instruments OMAP 3 processor where most other smartwatches are running the Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 or higher. It’s a fraction of a second’s difference in performance, but it’s barely noticeable this early in the smart watch game. Screen resolution is good, apps run smooth, and an on-board optical heart rate sensor and pedometer give the 360 a convenient suite of fitness tracking capabilities that most smart watches lack. It’s a lot of features inside a single package, and that much power comes at a price, which brings me to the 360’s most glaring criticism: battery life. It was a sore spot for many other reviewers early on in the 360’s release, but Google’s 5.1.1 Lollipop OS update has made it a non-issue, doubling the watch’s battery life and unlocking dormant features like wi-fi capability and wrist gesture activation. I’ve taken this thing through its paces, and it’s lasted over 24 hours on a single charge. Bottom line: The Moto 360 is incredibly good for what it is. For my money, it’s a more appealing purchase than comparable flagship Android Wear watches like the LG G Watch or the Samsung Gear Live, or newcomers like the more upscale LG Urbane. I’d even go so

far to say that it’s as good as, if not better than, the Apple Watch, which is impressive considering the 360 is nearly a year older. But it is still first-gen tech with room for improvement. If you can stand to wait, I’d recommend waiting. But if you absolutely must have a smartwatch to pair with your Android phone right now, this is the one to get, especially with the suggested retail price going from $250 to $150 in anticipation of a possible second-gen release later this year.

SPECS AND FEATURES: - 1.56” LCD Gorilla Glass display - TI OMAP 3 processor - 4 GB internal storage - Optical heartrate sensor and pedometer for fitness tracking - IP67 water and dust resistance - Vibration motor for haptic feedback from alarms and notifications - Wireless Qi charging - Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity - Touch and voice-activated interface - Dual microphones for Google Voice commands and various speech-to-text functions - Wrist gesture activation for touchless scrolling - Location- and time-sensitive app notifications - Customizable leather and metal bands

Special Feature///Megavision

(From left) Eduardo “Edong” M. Elenzano, owner, and Leng Bai, tattoo artist, of Megavision El Drako, highlight traditional tattooing methods at the shop.

Upholding a tradition Megavision El Drako tattoo parlor opens in Tamuning STORY AND PHOTOS BY Shaina Marie Santos

A new parlor’s in town. Megavision El Drako opened on June 16 in Tamuning boasting award-winning artists, traditional methods and a passion for tattoos as an art form. Eduardo “Edong” M. Elenzano, also known as Dragon Edong, from Quezon City, Philippines, has moved his shop from Saipan to Guam, bringing with him 35 years of experience in the NMI and Asia. Elenzano has received numerous awards from competitions and festivals around the world, including first place in “Best Dragon” and the “On the Spot” categories of the 2nd World Tattoo Arts Festival and Exhibition in Thailand, according to a press release from Megavision El Drako. The tattoo parlor also features artist Leng Bai, known as the China Man. Bai began as an apprentice for Elenzano almost 10 years ago and has also won numerous tattooing awards. He now works with his former master at Megavision El Drako. Even before its opening just a month ago, the shop on the second floor of the Bejjess Building in Tamuning began attracting customers. “We had a lot of inquiries,” Elenzano says. “People [on] Guam

are doing big tattoos. It’s good for the start [of business].” However, those who are looking to get inked must set up an appointment with them beforehand. “We only do [tattoos] by appointment,” he says. “People [who want] tattoos are paying [customers]; they have to get what they deserve. We want to make sure that when they get the tattoo, they get the best one.” Elenzano and Bai are all about the quality of their work. They hope to help eliminate backyard tattoos on Guam. “Since we opened, it hasn’t been a month yet, but we’ve seen people coming in wanting to get their tattoos covered or their tattoos fixed because they were not done professionally,” Bai says. “Tattoos [are] permanent. A good tattoo’s not cheap; a cheap tattoo’s not good.” Though Elenzano and Bai are new artists on Guam’s tattoo scene, it is clear that they are no rookies in the business and have big plans for their customers. The pair has hosted two successful international tattoo conventions that included artists from countries such as London, Paris, Japan and Thailand and hope to bring an appreciation for tattoo artistry to Guam. “We’re looking to have a tattoo convention here,” Elenzano says.

Special Feature///Megavision

Megavision El Drako opened up shop on June 16 in the Bejjess Building in Tamuning.

“We did that in Saipan. The first thing to do is to get all the artists to unite, or get together and talk about it. That’s one of the goals we have in mind.”

“You have to keep the culture... If you stop using [the traditional methods], there’s no more culture in tattooing; the tradition is going to die. Somebody has to continue that and pass it on.” ~ Eduardo “Edong” M. Elenzano Megavision El Drako

The pair takes great pride in promoting their art. Elenzano has already stepped forward to participate in the upcoming 12th Festival of Pacific Arts, which will take place on Guam in 2016. Elenzano is a practitioner of the traditional methods of Polynesian, Micronesian and Filipino hand tapping as well as Japanese tebori hand poking. Elenzano and Bai said they hope to highlight traditional tattoo methods at the festival. “You have to keep the culture,” Elenzano says. “If you stop using [the traditional methods], there’s no more culture in tattooing; the tradition is going to die. Somebody has to continue that and pass it on.”

Special Feature///Meskla Deli

Deli-cioso: Meskla opens its new deli STORY BY Thomas Johnson PHOTOS COURTESY OF Meskla

For long-time fans of the Meskla group of restaurants, the epicurean Italian/American-style atmosphere of The Deli at Meskla might be a surprise at first, with high-end crackers, balsamic vinegar and olive oil lining the shelves and gourmet products like Gruyere cheeses and Jamon Serrano hams on sale by the pound. But once you’ve bitten into your first El Cubano sandwich — savory Cuban roasted pork layered with ham and Swiss cheese, topped with garlic aioli, Dijon mustard, and the all-important pickle, wrapped up in a toasted French roll — there’ll be no doubt left in your mind that Chef Peter Duenas owns this place.

“Traditionally, everyone knows Meskla for dried beef, the dinanche, the barbecue, all the different stuff we do with the Chamorro fusion, but the Deli is something a little bit different.” ~ Chef Peter Duenas MESKLA DELI

“If it’s not juicy, it’s not our Cubano,” Chef Duenas says with a laugh. “Traditionally, everyone knows Meskla for dried beef, the dinanche, the barbecue, all the different stuff we do with the Chamorro fusion, but the Deli is something a little bit different. If you’ve been to San Francisco or New York, you know delis can vary between a fast-food style to more of a gourmet shop that offers tailored ingredients and spreads. Well, we’re kind of in the middle of all that. We create handcrafted custom and signature sandwiches, and a little something extra.”

Special Feature///Meskla Deli

(Above) The Deli at Meskla offers a variety of sandwiches, desserts and sides. (Left) Sandwiches come in a variety of breads or wraps.

Chef Duenas, traditionally not a sandwich person, came up with the idea for the deli while talking with his wife and Meskla general manager, Monica Duenas, and other Meskla partners. “We just wanted to offer an option [apart from] our traditional dining experience,” he says. “I’m a real meat and rice guy, but there are times when people don’t want barbecue and rice; they just want a nice, simple sandwich they can enjoy and not feel so full. So we came up with some ideas and grew into the deli as it is now.” Besides the amazing El Cubano, Chef Duenas says the deli’s best-selling sandwiches so far are the Reuben, the Turkey Boy, and the Hot Pastrami, which comes in shelf and house-made varieties. “We didn’t prepare our own meats originally,” he says, “but our shipments take three weeks to come in, and the sandwiches got so popular that the customers just killed our entire supply of shelf pastrami. So I had to pickle and cook my own pastrami to hold us over until the shipment came, and a lot of customers ended up saying they liked my pastrami better, so we kept it around.” Because the meat is made from quality brisket, Duenas has

to charge a little extra when customers ask for home-made, but any customer who’s tried the house pastrami will tell you it’s well worth the cost. In addition to its best-selling signature sandwiches, the Deli also serves a wide range of meats, cheeses, and cold sides and salads by the pound. So whether you just want a quick, tasty lunch, pick up something to take home and serve with a nice bottle of wine, or to order a pound or two of chicken salad to take to a potluck, the Deli has you covered. And, of course, in true Meskla style, the Outdoor Chef had to throw in a little local flair somewhere, so in addition to including pan de leche and tortillas as bread choices for your sandwich, one of the many cold sides served behind the counter is genuine fiesta-style potato salad. “Sides are definitely where you see the local touch,” Chef Duenas says. “If you’re going to a party and you don’t want to mess around with making potato salad, just call us in advance. If you want to bring us your bowl, we’ll fill it and garnish it for you; those are the types of services we offer here.”

Restaurant & Food///Seafood

seafood sensations

Whether a tasteful addition into popular dishes, or simply fried or sauteed, the bounty of the sea is creatively incorporated into much of Guamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fare.

STORY BY Joy White

Sea Grill rooftop beer garden Location: The Plaza, Tumon Our recommendation: Lemon grass panko crusted shrimp with pineapple Dijon mustard sauce and garlic fries Hours of operation: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Main Restaurant Location: Guam Reef Hotel Our recommendation: Spicy curry with crab meat pieces Hours of operation: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Restaurant & Food///Seafood

Pacific Lighthouse Location: Chamorro Village Our recommendation: Sautéed squid and vegetables — squid with a spicy sauce accompanied by a nice selection of vegetables and steamed rice Hours of operation: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Ron’s Diner Location: Mangilao Our recommendation: Mahi Mahi Tacos — mahi mahi smothered in toppings, including denanche mayo, sour cream and avocado in a homemade tortilla Hours of operation: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Saturday; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday

OUT&ABOUT

out & about

Photos courtesy of Guam Visitors Bureau

Photo by Nhoriel Reyes

Island Luxury Food, Baker’s World, Mei Mei’s Fruit Fry Ice, Unggoy Enterprise and Speak Craft International signed the Hafa Adai Pledge on June 24 at Chamorro Village.

Matao team captain Jason Cunliffe, center, and teammates signed autographs on June 27 at the Bank of Guam main headquarters in Hagåtña, on June 27.

Photos by Vikki Fong

Fusion Dance Center’s 11th Annual Concert, Dance Warriors, on June 28 at the SandCastle in Tumon.

SEND US YOUR PHOTOS! TO SUBMIT YOUR PHOTOS FOR OUT & ABOUT, EMAIL HIGH-RES PHOTOs to: rrpacificguam@gmail.com

PLEASE INCLUDE: - CAPTIONS (NAMES, DATE, EVENT NAME AND LOCATION) - YOUR NAME AND VILLAGE

OUT&ABOUT

Photos courtesy of the Guam Football Association

The Lady Rovers won 10-7 over Quality Distributors at the opening match of the 2015 Bud Light Women’s Futsal League on June 28 at the Guam Sports Complex Gym.

Photos courtesy of the Guam Football Association

Guam’s national football team, Matao, beat India in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers on June 15. The match was held at the Guam Football Association National Training Center.

Special Feature///Vitale’s Italian Restaurant

STORY BY Joy White | PHOTO BY Vikki Fong

With every creamy bite of seafood spaghetti in white sauce or mouthful of flavorful pizza, you are participating in the longstanding tradition of authentic Italian recipes shared by the Vitale family. At the center of Vitale’s Italian Ristorante on Guam are Joseph Vitale and his son, Agosto Joseph Vitale, who prepare each dish with the passion of a family that has passed on its culinary gifts from generation to generation. The first Vitale’s restaurant opened in 1967, and there are now several throughout the United States. All are owned and operated by family, while Joseph Vitale and his son have made Guam their home. Choosing from the menu is like deciding between delicious and more delicious. Everything from the margherita pizza to the bruschetta is a must-try, but the seafood menu takes precedence. Vitale’s mixed seafood spaghetti with white sauce is a great

place to start when exploring the many flavors of Vitale’s Italian Ristorante. The dish is bursting with flavorful mussel, crab meat, shrimp and squid bites, wrapped in creamy white Alfredo sauce and spaghetti noodles. Mindful of its patrons’ many tastes, the seafood spaghetti can be paired with red sauce or a combination sauce. Also on the restaurant’s seafood menu are butter-fried shrimp, lobster tail, fettuccine with shrimp, spaghetti with shrimp, Guam Del Mare ocean shrimp and more. Located on the second floor of The Plaza, the window seats of the restaurant offer a view of Pale San Vitores Road in Tumon. But the view is easily rivaled by the restaurant’s unique works of art — murals of the iconic sights of Italy on the walls and a frescoed ceiling. The kitchen is open, so you’ll be able to see the Vitales hard at work to deliver every patron a meal that is second to none.

Sports///Gymnastics

On a roll

Island Twisters strengthen the following for Guam gymnastics

STORY BY Thomas Johnson

Melinda and Ric are trained performers and gymnasts who first came to Guam in 2000 to dance in the Sand Castle show. Now, after nearly a decade of dedication, sacrifice and hard-won equipment upgrades, they regularly send Guam gymnasts to Hawaii to compete — and win — in international-level gymnastics meets. The Heath’s own and operate Island Twisters gymnastics gym, instructing recreational and competitive gymnasts. “Melinda has been doing gymnastics since she was 6 years old, and this has always been one of her lifetime dreams,” says Ric Heath, “to teach kids the proper way to do gymnastics from a formal academy level.” In the last Aloha Gym fest in Kailua, five of the overall top ten Level 4 gymnasts were from Island Twisters, including first place Isabella Kebreau. The gym’s top student, Level 8 gymnast Aisha Tangi, took back-to-back silver overall in her category in the Aloha Gymfest and the Honolulubased Gymnastics in Paradise invitational. While Guam’s gymnasts have put on a very impressive show both here and in Hawaii, however, the Heaths admit that the

growth of the sport on island is still handicapped. “We’re mostly limited to competing in Hawaii because it’s a stateside meet we can join that also happens to invite international competitors,” Melinda Heath says, “but we can’t compete in real international gymnastics meets until we’re recognized by the Guam National Olympic Committee.” The Heaths have spent the last year assembling a nonprofit group to help push the sport forward, forming a board of directors and working with their lawyers to establish a formal constitution. As a nonprofit group, Guam gymnasts would be eligible for grant funding for more advanced gymnastics facilities to train in advanced floor and vault tricks. Funding would also go towards travel expenses for the gymnasts, expenses which are currently being paid for through fundraising efforts and donations from local sponsors like Triple J, Bank of Guam, Pacific Islands Club and Black Construction. “We’re hoping that by getting this federation established, we can grow the island’s gymnastics level and send kids to compete more than once every year or two,” Melinda Heath says.

Island Twisters Gymnastics off-island competitive team: Aisha Tangi, Eileen Mamczarz, Celina White, Qaydenz Montgomery, Isabella Kebreau and Lillian McClellan. Photo by Robert Tenorio

“We’re hoping that by getting this federation established, we can grow the island’s gymnastics level and send kids to compete more than once every year or two.” ~ MELINDA HEATH ISLAND TWISTERS

Eileen Mamczarz works on her flexibility.