R&R Pacific - February 2016

calendar of events • travel • restaurants & food • trends • recreation • sports • culture & arts • special features • nightlife • coupons & much more

FEBRUARY 2016

cosplay Character enthusiasts bring favorites to life

Bite-sized art

The miniature specialties of Sushiphilic

Cosplay in action: (From left) Philip “Marky” Alfonso; Tomas Ray, Christian Cayanan, Krista Calica, John Benedict Calzada and Nicole “Mana” Ricabar. Photo by Joe Cruz of FStop Photography.

Photo taken at Hyatt Regency Guam.

contents TRAVEL

Where East meets West: Singapore 4

ART

Miniature marvels: Sushiphilic

CALENDAR

Guide to February

ESSENCE OF GUAM

Dededo and Yigo

TRENDS

Living the story: Cosplay

restaurants & food

Frozen treats

Out & About

Events around the island

6

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.

4

8 10

6 13 20 22

20 www.facebook.com/rrpacificguam

@rrpacificguam

About the cover: Guam cosplayer Nicole “Mana” Ricabar as Wicked Lady from “Sailor Moon.” Photo by Joe Cruz of Fstop Guam Photography. Special thanks to Hyatt Regency Guam.

10

2016

R&R Pacific/February

PUBLISHER

SENIOR DESIGNER

Maureen N. Maratita

Vikki Fong

MANAGING EDITOR

SALES MANAGER

Jackie Hanson

Annie San Nicolas

ASSISTANT EDITOR

ACCOUNT MANAGERS

Joedda Sanchez

REPORTERS

Evelyn Sanchez

ADMINISTRATION

Joy White Julius Cantara

PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR

Janice Castro, Jessica Quintanilla

Carmelita McClellan and Vincent Leon Guerrero

Rosanna Dacanay

MANAGING DIRECTOR

Marcos Fong

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 • February 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///Singapore

Where East meets West

Singapore is a city that offers a variety of attractions in one island package

STORY AND PHOTOS BY MAUREEN N. MARATITA

The Singapore Flower Domes seen from Marinta Bay Sands Sky Park.

People say that in Singapore East meets West and you can certainly find evidence of all its cultures in an island city whose people pride themselves on their tolerance, whatever their ethnicity. Singapore’s populations are predominantly Chinese, Malay and Indian.

The city is known for its cleanliness and order, as well as its safety.

Singapore is a destination with about one million visitors per month and close to five million of its own residents. It’s therefore a plus for tourists that Singaporeans are respectful of personal space when they are out and about on an island that only has about 269 square miles to start with.

At present, getting to Singapore from Guam means a two-flight hop. Changi Airport is easily transited, and signs guide visitors on arrival on the options of getting to town — a mere 30-minute drive from the airport.

The Mass Rapid Transit system’s train network and a variety of bus routes ensure that travel around Singapore is easy, and taxis abound. A variety of MRT tourist passes with refundable deposits are on offer. Just don’t eat or drink on public transport, which isn’t allowed.

Accommodation at various locations in Singapore runs the range from budget hotels to the famous Marina Bay Sands Resort, which offers not only a multi-floor casino (with free entry for non-

4

residents), but a public deck on the 57th floor, the Sky Park, for viewing the Singapore skyline. Entrance is US$23 per adult and SG$17 per child from 2 to 12 years.

Your Guam clothing will take you almost anywhere in Singapore, but shorts are not allowed in the casino.

Shopping is a major activity for Singaporeans and tourists alike.

Department stores and malls on Singapore’s Orchid Road retail center and elsewhere offer local fashion brands, international high fashion brands, a selection of electronic gadgets and European brands known for clothing and leather goods, such as footwear and accessories and household items.

Department stores and some mall locations offer a chance to peruse for souvenirs such as locally designed jewelry, and Malaysia’s wellknown brands of pewter in traditional and modern pieces.

Chinatown will give you the opportunity to bargain for souvenirs and perhaps find an appealing artifact. The rule of thumb is to aim to pay two-thirds of the asking price, or so R&R was told. Chinatown also has a Heritage Centre, for one perspective on the history of Singapore.

Singapore has a Little India too.

Food and restaurants vary from European eateries to Asian cuisines, from hawker stands and noodle houses to fine dining. China-

(Clockwise from top left) Singapore’s Botanical Gardens; chili crab; Singapore Zoo; and Singapore’s Chinatown.

town has a hawker center, as does Maxwell Road, but every mall offers either a food court with attractive pricing or a variety of restaurant options.

Singapore has a National Museum and a number of history museums and heritage trails. The small museum at Changi provides a sense of World War II life and has free entry.

The island has a number of exhibitions and concerts at any given time, as well as a new National Art Gallery.

River cruises on the Singapore River offer a sense of history as well as the geography of Singapore, and can encompass the colonial district and the Three Quays, which features shops, and bars and restaurants that are humming at night.

Singapore also offers modern leisure attractions to include the Singapore Botanic Gardens and the Singapore Zoo, which spreads over 28 hectares, or about 69 acres.

SINGAPORE Flight time: Can presently be reached through Asian destinations like Manila, Seoul and Taipei and on a variety of airlines, to include low-cost carriers.

Exchange rate: U.S. $1 = SG $1.4 Must see: Chinatown, the Botanic Gardens Must eat: Chili crab Visa: Not required for U.S. passport or green card holders

A UNESCO Heritage site, the botanic gardens open at 5 a.m., and a walk or run is ideal to build up an appetite for breakfast, or to walk off the calories of breakfast and build up an appetite for lunch.

The zoo has a variety of feeding times for animals ranging from orangutans to the larger animals like elephants, which are posted. A variety of tours allow you to tailor your visit to your interests and energy.

The Jurong Bird Park is known for being home to more than 400 species of birds, to include a number of breeds of penguins.

The bird park also houses a bird hospital, and the Breeding & Research Centre.

Sentosa Island is home to Resorts World Sentosa — complete with a casino, golf courses and the beach, as well as numerous attractions for children or the young-at-heart, including Universal Studios Singapore, a dolphin lagoon, a luge and bobsled run, an observation tower and Madame Tussauds Singapore.

5

Art///Sushiphilic

BY JOY WHITE

Holding an entire slice of cake on the tip of a finger is possible with the creations of Vana Quichocho, founder and owner of Sushiphilic.

Quichocho makes miniatures from polymer clay and resin. Signature Sushiphilic items crafted by Quichocho include jewelry pieces such as red hot pepper, coconut, taitayas, latte stone and sushi earrings; key chain charms featuring miniature bento boxes; and figurines, often of anime or cartoon characters.

“One of the biggest misconceptions is that I purchase the pieces pre-made,” Quichocho says. Each Sushiphilic item is sculpted with care — every detail fashioned and carved by hand.

She makes items by special order and sells them at Japanese-culture conventions, such as Otaku Recon and SukiCon, and craft fairs, such as the Luna Festival.

Quichocho started Sushiphilic as a business in 2013 but has been making miniatures since 2009.

Her interest in making miniatures was inspired in part by her childhood love for the film “The Borrowers,” a 1997 children’s film about tiny people who scavenge human-sized things to build gadgets they need for daily life, based on the book by Mary Norton.

Quichocho is mostly self-taught, learning through trial and error, tutorials on YouTube and advice from the online crafting community.

“I’ll watch the tutorials on YouTube to get ideas and find my own way of doing it,” Quichocho says.

At first she made figurines for herself and her friends, but “after

6

attending the Otaku Recon, I saw there was a market for it,” she says.

Quichocho was commissioned to make donne’ earrings for the Mangilao’s Donne’ festival in 2013. Her entire stock was wiped out.

From there, she went to the Guam Economic Development Authority and became a Guam Product Seal business.

Using an X-Acto knife, a crystal rolling pin and other smoothing tools, Quichocho chisels the details in each piece. A pasta machine comes in handy for shaping the clay into flat pieces. She also mixes colored clays together to get the different shades needed to make a piece look realistic.

Each piece of a miniature is sculpted, glazed and baked in a toaster oven separately before being assembled, then glazed and baked again.

Sushiphilic cake-slice earrings are made as a whole cake, with each layer of cake made separately, then baked together. Quichocho then slices it into fourths and uses her sculpting tools to carve out the details of the icing on each slice.

When creating her miniatures, Quichocho chooses between making a piece realistic or cute. When it comes to figurines of anime or other characters, Quichocho tries to make them look cute, while food she makes more realistic.

This year, Quichocho says she hopes to perfect her method for making phone cases and to establish an online shop.

To contact Sushiphilic or place special orders, email Quichocho at sushiphilic@gmai.com or visit the Sushiphilic Facebook page.

february events

Through March 25

Application for the Pacific National Historical Park Youth Conservation Corps

featured event

Dan Simonsen / Shutterstock.com

Program dates: June 6 to July 29 Requirements: Must be 15 to 18 years old Four youths will be selected at random for the work-learn-earn program, in which they will earn the federal minimum wage and learn about national parks and the environment. Applications are available 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the War in the Pacific National Historical Park T. Stell Newman Visitors Center in Agat and administrative offices in Hagåtña or online at www.nps.gov/wapa.

Feb. 13

National Park Service Keep Guam Beautiful Time: 9 a.m. to noon Location: Ga’an Point Wear sturdy close-toed shoes, hat and sunscreen and bring a refillable water bottle. Supplies will be provided.

For more information, email megan_mcaloniz@nps.gov.

Feb. 20

Pacific Air Partners Open House

Feb. 20

Guam Running Club 45th “Hafa” Half Marathon Show time: 3:15 a.m.

Go time: 5 a.m.

Start: Andersen Air Force Base Front gate, Yigo Finish: Gun Beach, Tumon Distance: 13.1 miles Cut-off time: 3.5 hours Pre-registration location: Bargain House in Hagåtña and Hornet Sporting Goods in Tamuning Registration deadline: Feb. 17. No race day registrations.

For more information, email guahanrunningclub@gmail.com.

Feb. 20

Guam Boonie Stomp: Pagat

Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Location: Andersen Air Force Base, Yigo Admission: Free For more information call 366-2228.

Feb. 21

Loop

Level: Medium Duration: Four hours Length: Three miles Bring: Three quarts of water, sturdy shoes, swimsuit, flashlight, gloves, sunscreen, sunglasses, insect repellent, lunch and camera Special conditions: Some steep climbing, walking in cave water and over rough limestone 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.

8

Learn about military aircraft at an open house held at Guam’s Air Force base. The public event will feature static displays of aircraft and other vehicles, entertainment and flyovers. Scheduled static displays include the U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon, a compact, fighter aircraft and the U.S. Air Force E-Sentry, airborne warning and control system aircraft.

Xterra Progressive Relay Run Location: Port Authority Beach, Piti For more information call 483-7773.

Feb. 27 and 28

Guam Symphony Society’s New World Symphony Time: 6 p.m. on Feb. 27 and 2 p.m. on Feb. 28 Location: Lotte Hotel Guam For more information call 477-1959 or email guamsymphonysociety@ gmail.com.

EVENTSCALENDAR

february sun

mon 1

tue 2

wed 3

thu 4

fri 5 MOVIES

Hail, Caesar!

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

7

8

9

10

11

12 MOVIES

Deadpool Zoolander 2 How to Be Single

14

15

16

17

18 Valentine’s Day

• Guam Symphony Society Young Artist Competition

19 MOVIES Race

sat 6 • Guam Boonie Stomp: Anao

13 • National Park Service Keep Guam Beautiful • Guam Boonie Stomp: Fadian Cove

20 • Guam Running Club 45th “Hafa” Half Marathon • Guam Boonie Stomp: Pagat Loop • Pacific Air Partners Open House

21

22

23

24

25

MOVIES

• Xterra Progressive Relay Run

28

26 God of Egypt The Witch

27 • Guam Symphony Society’s New World Symphony • Guam Boonie Stomp: Lajuna

29

• Guam Symphony Society’s New World Symphony

Feb. 26

Gods of Egypt Directed by Alex Proyas Starring Brenton Thwaites, Nikolai Coster-Waldau, Gerard Butler, Geoffrey Rush, Courtney Eaton, Bruce Spence and Rufus Sewell

The survival of mankind hangs in the balance as an unexpected mortal hero undertakes a thrilling journey to save the world and rescue his true love. In order to succeed, he must enlist the help of the powerful god Horus in an unlikely alliance against Set, the merciless god of darkness, who has usurped Egypt’s throne, plunging the once peaceful and prosperous empire into chaos and conflict. As their breathtaking battle against Set and his henchmen takes them into the afterlife and across the heavens, both god and mortal must pass tests of courage and sacrifice if they hope to prevail in the epic final confrontation. *Event times and dates may change without notice.

9

Essence of Guam///Yigo and Dededo

1.

POINTS OF INTERESTS

Tanguisson Beach Park Offers a beach, park and hiking. No lifeguard on duty.

Location: Route 34

Ritidian National 2. Guam Wildlife Refuge

Offers beach, nature and hiking trails, medicinal plant garden, historical and cultural sites and nature center. No pets allowed.

No lifeguard on duty.

Location: Ritidian Point Hours of operation: Refuge 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily except federal holidays; Nature center – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily except federal holidays.

To schedule a free tour and for more information about permits call 355-5096/5097.

Region Sports 3. Northern Complex

Pool, jogging track and gym Location: Harmon Loop Road Gym hours: 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Football Association 4. Guam National Training Center

Location: Harmon Loop Road For more information and event schedule visit guamfa.com.

Photo courtesy of Jun Robato

Dedidu Mayor: Melissa B. Savares Vice mayor: Andrew A. “Peter Daigo” Benavente Population: 44,943 Fiestas: December in celebration of Santa Barbara and July in celebration of St. Andrew Kim

4

1

8

Skate Park 5. Dededo Location: Buena Vista Avenue Flea Market 6. Dededo Location: Route 1

Hours of operation: 6 a.m. to about 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

7.

Amot Taotao Tano Farm Location: Swamp Road Email amot.taotao.tano@gmail. com or 637-7201 to schedule a tour.

Guang Shan Guam 8. Fo Buddhist Temple Location: Bello Street Phone: 637-8678

Photo courtesy of Rueben Olivas

2

6

7

Roman Elgarico Resident of Dededo for 22 years

Photo courtesy of Rueben Olivas

“I love to ride my bike around and race around with my neighbors and sometimes just walk around and play basketball. And Santa Barbara Park is one of my favorite places to go to and is also a great place to jog.

I would suggest going there for some fresh air.”

1.

Essence of Guam///Yigo and Dededo

POINTS OF INTERESTS

Guam International Raceway Autosports venue, and motocross and drag racing track Location: Route 15 Phone: 727-5381 For event schedule and more information, visit guamraceway.com.

Peace Memorial Park 2. Pacific World War II memorial Location: Mataguac Street

Animals In Need 3. Guam (GAIN)

Animal shelter Location: Route 1 Phone: 653-4246 Hours of operation: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, including holidays For more information about GAIN and pets in general visit guamanimals.org

4. Hiking: a. Pagat

Site of ancient Chamorro village Location: Route 15

Yigu

b. Fadian Cave

Location: Ignacio Lane (off of Highway 15)

c. Anao

Location: Anao Road (off of Highway 15)

4b 1

Mayor: Rudy M. Matanane Vice mayor: Anthony P. Sanchez Population: 20,539 Fiesta: February in celebration of Our Lady of Lourdes

Photo courtesy of Jun Robato

4c

4a

Catherine Mie Walker Bungabong Independent Business Consultant Resident of Yigo for 24 years

Photo courtesy of Guam Boonie Stompers Inc.

“Although there are not too many businesses here, the ones that do exist have been around for years are really great. My family and I have been patrons of Joann’s Bakery since they were at the plaza across the former Dominican School. They have the most amazing siopao. We used to walk there to get our baked goods.”

11

Trends///Cosplay

Costumers bring characters to life through cosplay

BY JULIUS CANTARA and JOY WHITE PHOTOS BY JOE CRUZ

Cosplay, a portmanteau of “costume” and “play,” is the art of wearing a costume of a fictional character, usually from Japanese anime and manga, comic books, video games or any popular media franchise. The term originates from Japan.

What sets cosplay apart from just wearing a costume on Halloween is that “cosplayers” attempt to portray and embody the character to even theatrical extents. A cosplayer tries to capture the essence of the character. Props are also used to accurately depict a character.

All around the world, anime and comic book conventions are filled with cosplayers. Anime conventions on Guam, such as Otaku Recon, Otaku Chibi-Con, Epixcon and Suki-Con, draw in hundreds of enthusiasts every year to celebrate their love of popular entertainment culture. These events include cosplay contests, where competitors are judged based on their costume’s level of accuracy, detail, difficulty, craftsmanship and the cosplayer’s overall performance.

A vast majority of the cosplay community makes its costumes using a variety of techniques. Other individuals have their costumes commissioned or order them online.

Cosplayers spend weeks or even months in preparation for an event, building their costumes, acquiring materials, such as fabric, paint, foam and other products from local hardware stores.

In just a few years, the worldwide cosplay community has spawned various well-known cosplayers such as Yaya Han, Jessica Nigiri, VampyBitMe, Alodia Gosiengfiao, Kenneth Ting and D-Piddy. However, whether an individual is coplaying as a hobby or competitively, the main aspect about cosplay is to have fun, and Guam is no stranger to this worldwide phenomenon.

R&R Pacific met some of Guam’s cosplayers who graciously shared their love for movies, anime and video games, as well as their skills in portraying their interests.

John Benedict Calzada Robin, Fire Emblem: Awakening Materials: Commissioned coat; old college textbook

13

Christian Cayanan, Team GZ (Team Ground Zero) Storm Trooper, Star Wars franchise Materials: Recycled household items, including cardboard, bottle caps, plastic bottles, cardboard and food containers, as well as tacks, rain boots, spray paint and Velcro.

14

Krista Calica Boa Hancock, One Piece Materials: Boa constrictor prop made from pillow stuffing and fabric; store-bought clothing and apparel; straw hat

Breanne Bliss Coco, RWBY Materials: Altered store-bought clothing items, such as pants, shoes and corset. Bandolier handbag made with toy bullets attached to purse strap with crafting floss and glue.

Philip “Marky” Alfonso, Team GZ (Team Ground Zero) Gypsy Danger, Pacific Rim Materials: Recycled household items, including cardboard and Velcro

Tomas Ray Yokai, Big Hero 6 Materials: Military trench coat and combat boots; store-bought clothing and apparel; store-bought white mask; red Sharpie

Nicole “Mana� Ricabar Wicked Lady, Sailor Moon Materials: Wig and handmade dress

Restaurants & Food///Frozen Treats Section///Spotlight

ice-cold treats for guam’s hot days

BY JOY WHITE

ICE CREAM AND SORBET

No one can resist THESE classic frozen desserts nor the opportunity to add sprinkles, a waffLe cone or any topping under Guam’s sun.

Foremost Scoops

Häagen-Dazs Shops

Location: Subway on San Vitores Road, Tumon Phone: 649-8426 Hours of Operation: 7 a.m. to midnight daily Our recommendation: Pistachio almond or mint chocolate chip

Locations: Fiesta Resort Guam and The Plaza Shopping Center, both on San Vitores Road, Tumon Hours of operation: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily Phone: 647-1933 Our recommendations: Mango sorbet or strawberry cheesecake ice cream

Cold Stone Creamery Locations: Micronesia Mall, Dededo and Guam Premier Outlets, Tamuning Hours of operation: 11 a.m. to midnight daily at both locations Phone: 644-8800 at Micronesia Mall; 649-4800 at Guam Premier Outlets Our recommendation: Personalized creation with your choice of “mix-ins”

GELATO

Like ice cream, gelato is made with milk, cream and various fruit or nut purees and flavorings. However, gelato contains a relatively small amount of air. Though gelato is ice cream made in an Italian style, this frozen confection is enjoyed by all nationalities.

Dolce Frutti Gelateria Location: The Plaza Shopping Center, Tumon Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily Phone: 649-9866 Our recommendation: Wildberries or Pistachio Cookies Photos courtesy of Dolce Fruitti Gelateria

20

Restaurants & Food///Frozen Treats

FROZEN YOGURT

Generally more tart than its distant cousin, ice cream, frozen yogurt is also lower in fat than ice cream. Try a fLavor by itself or with toppings ranging from cereal and candy to the traditional chocolate and caramel sauce.

Yogurtland

Cold Stone Yogurt Bar

Locations: Agana Shopping Center and Tamuning Hours of operation: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily Phone: 475-9595

Location: Guam Premier Outlets Hours of operation: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily Phone: 647-4800

Tutti Frutti Location: Micronesia Mall Hours of operation: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Phone: 647- 5761

SHAVED ICE AND SNOW CONES

Shaved ice is a frozen delicacy made from the shavings of a block of ice coated in a sweet syrup, while a snow cone is made from crushed ice instead of shaved ice. Either crushed or shaved, these icy sweets are heaven in hot weather.

Mt. Lam Lam Sno ‘n Ice Cream Location: Dededo, by Santa Barbara Catholic Church Hours of operation: Noon to 8 p.m. daily Phone: 989-4766 Our recommendation: Your favorite syrup with a dollop of vanilla soft serve ice cream on top

Håfaloha Location: Flame Tree Plaza, Tumon Hours of operation: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Phone: 989-3444

Pacific Island Mångge Pops Locations: On-the-go at events and fairs, such as the Wednesday night market at Chamorro Village, Luna Festival, Liberation Day parade, Guam BBQ Block Party and others Available at retail outlets including Spike 22, Onedera Store, Two Lovers Point, Oka Pay-Less Supermarkets, Foody’s in Barrigada, Fizz and Co., Nikko Hotel Guam, Pacific Islands Club Guam, Leo Palace Guam Resort, Aguon’s Store, the Talent Box, Airport Mobile, The Urban Fork and all Port of Mocha branches.

Contact information: 787-1808/688-5823 or manngepops@gmail.com Our recommendation: Calamansi-mint

21

OUT&ABOUT

out & about

Photos by Joy White

Photos by Julius Cantara

Students participate in an underwater robot obstacle course competition held by Guam Community College’s Marine Sustainability program on Dec. 23 at Underwater World.

Cultural dancers perform during the first annual Asan-Maina Papaya Festival held Jan. 16 to 18.

Photos by Justin Green

The Green, Maoli, Katchafire and Sons of Zion were the main attractions at this year’s Trench Fest held on Jan. 15 and 16.

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

22

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

OUT&ABOUT

Photos by Julius Cantara

Prubechu, a restaurant based in San Francisco that features Guam-influenced food and drinks, hosted a pop-up restaurant night on Jan. 8 at Pika’s CafÊ.

23