R&R Pacific - March 2015

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

MARCH 2015

music culture

Celebrating Chamorro Heritage Day Practitioners of traditions

Matua Sablan

Just cruIsin’

A luxury vacation

Entertainers in traditional attire greet guests disembarking from a cruise ship at the Port of Kusadasi, Turkey. Story on Page 4.

contents TRAVEL

Cruise ship vacations

BEAUTY AND FASHION

Hair myths

CALENDAR

Guide to March

ESSENCE OF GUAM

Chamorro Month - Amot Taotao Tano Farm - Lukao Fuha

ARTIST FEATURE

Matua Sablan

restaurants & dining

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Burgers

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Parkour: The forward movement

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SPORTS

OUT & ABOUT

Readers’ and event photos

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procreate presents

The Orbit Baby G3

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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 Musician Matua Sablan at Tu Re’ Café. Photo by Joe Cruz

2015

R&R Pacific/March

PUBLISHER

SENIOR DESIGNER

Maureen N. Maratita

Vikki Fong

MANAGING EDITOR

SALES MANAGER

Jackie Hanson

Annie San Nicolas

ASSISTANT EDITOR

ACCOUNT MANAGER

Joy White

Dwight Buena

REPORTERS

ADMINISTRATION

Thomas Johnson

Janice Castro, Jessica Leon Guerrero

Bryce Guerrero

Carmelita McClellan & Bernard (Mr. B) Leonen

CONTRIBUTORS

MANAGING DIRECTOR

Joe Cruz

Islandtech Photography

Marcos Fong

PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR

Rosanna Dacanay

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

R&R Pacific • March 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.

Pick up your free copy at the following locations: • Andersen Air Force Base • Talofofo Falls Resort Park • Regal Cinemas (GPO) • SM Store • Salon Fusion • Tango Theatres (Mall) • Century Plaza • Airport Car Rentals

• Chamber of Commerce • USO (Royal Orchid) • Guam Visitors Bureau

Find us on Facebook!

All 76/Circle K locations and Shell gas stations

/rrpacificguam Available online at:

www.rrpacific.net TO ADVERTISE, CONTACT US TODAY!

Dwight Buena tel: (671) 649-0883 ext. 118 email: sales6@glimpsesofguam.com

Feature///Travel

STORY BY Joy White PHOTOS BY Vikki Fong

Imagine a five-star resort. Fine dining and a wide selection of restaurants?

Check. Pool and spa? Check. Waking up in an exciting new place every morning? Check. This is what it’s like going on a cruise. It’s an idea that is somewhat exotic, like something out of an adventure novel.

Cruise ship Seabourn Odyssey, anchored off Lemnos Island, Greece, from a lookout at the Castle of Myrina.

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(Clockwise from top left) Performers onboard the Rotterdam; passengers on the Rotterdam, overlooking Yukatat Bay, Alaska, while heading toward Hubbard Glacier; the pool deck on Seabourn Odyssey, while docked at the Port of Piraeus in Athens, Greece; “Dessert Extravaganza” on the Rotterdam.

The possibilities are endless. Basically wherever there is a port, there is a cruise ship that stops by. In addition, there are countless types of cruise ships for all types of travelers: families, couples both old and young, friends and so on. Each cruise ship has a variety of options for cabin types, onboard activities, trip lengths and land excursions.

The various cruise lines offer different types of experiences.

Carnival Cruise Lines offers a fleet of “Fun Ships.” Royal Caribbean International appeals to the energetic traveler, with rock climbing walls, surfing simulators, boxing rings and even an onboard zip line.

Royal Caribbean offers a variety of cruises in Asia, as well. Princess Cruises has a variety of vacation options. Several niche cruise lines offer education classes or nightlife excursions.

Large cruise ships offer a wide variety of onboard activities, while smaller cruise ships may have fewer activities but are able to visit smaller islands whose ports are not as busy. Smaller ships can be appealing to those who are drawn to the remote and pristine.

First time cruise-takers might find it easier to book through a travel agent. A travel agent has the expertise to navigate through potential pitfalls and select the right type of cruise for each person. The beginning of the year during “Wave Season,” January to March, is a good time to take a cruise, as prices are a bit lower than the rest of the year.

After choosing the right type of ship, cruise goers can then choose their route.

A European cruise provides an opportunity to visit the ports of coastal cities, such as Italy or the Greek Isles. Dock in Florence.

Explore the city throughout the day. Enjoy the delicious Italian cuisine. Return to the ship in the evening and wine and dine with the other passengers. Go to bed and awaken in another romantic city, Venice or even Barcelona. A small vessel through the Mediterranean will allow you to visit more ports, and as a bonus, will have fewer passengers.

Or if you’re looking for something more adventurous, try an Alaskan cruise. For something closer to home, try a Melanesia or Polynesia cruise to hop from island to island. Try one of the various cruise lines that travels through Japan or China.

A cruise is definitely a luxury vacation because once booked, travelers need not worry about unpacking at a different destination, coordinating transportation and, if they avail of travel packages, calculating exchange rates.

Taking a cruise is an addition to any worthwhile traveler’s bucket list.

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Spotlight///Beauty

5 biggest hair myths that may surprise you BROUGHT TO YOU BY Salon Fusion

1. Myth: Plucking gray hair will cause more gray hair.

Truth: More silver strands would have creeped out no matter what—you can’t simply blame the plucking itself. Stress is a more likely cause.

2. Myth: Shampooing will cause you to shed hair.

Truth: Don’t let those hairs in the shower drain scare you. On average, people lose between 50 to 150 strands of hair per day! If it wasn’t at the shower, you would have lost them elsewhere.

3. Myth: You shouldn’t color your hair during pregnancy.

Truth: The concern is the risk associated with inhaling ammonia in the formula, not its absorption into your scalp. However, the level is too low to cause any harm. If this is still a worry, use plantderived, ammonia-free dye color such as henna to maintain your hair color.

4. Myth: Don’t blow dry; air-drying is healthier.

Truth: Research does show that blow-drying causes more damage to the hair’s surface but airdrying can cause deeper damage within strands. The interior of the hair swells when exposed to water for extended periods of time, possibly causing more damage than heat styling. Try using a low heat setting or hold blow dryer about six inches away from hair.

5. Myth: Constantly wearing hats will cause hair loss.

Truth: It’s believed that hats cut off circulation to the scalp, causing hair loss. At this point, you would have a headache more than anything. Pattern baldness is caused by genetics and other factors such as high testosterone, hormonal imbalance and stress.

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We are proud to introduce our clients to Olaplex, an amazing tool that can take your hair to an ultimate lightness without jeopardizing the integrity of your hair. No more breakage!

march events

Through March 26

March 10

ISLA Center for the Arts and the Office of the Japanese Consulate’s exhibit on Japanese architecture

University of Guam Charter Day

Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday Location: ISLA Center, University of Guam Free Admission March 1 — 2 and 6 — 8

Umatac Guam History and Chamorro Heritage Fest Contact Umatac Mayor’s Office for more information March 5

Time: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Location: University of Guam campus March 10

12th Annual Chamoru Langage Competition Time: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Location: UOG Calvo Fieldhouse March 21

16th Annual Japan Club of Guam Arts and Crafts Fair Location: Hotel Nikko March 22

Ko’ko Kids Fun Run

2015 Guam Joint Women’s Leadership Symposium

Location: Gov. Joseph Flores Memorial (Ypao Beach) Park

Time: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Location: Sheraton Laguna Guam Resort Buffet lunch: $30

Academy of Our Lady of Guam production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella”

March 7

Rainbows for all Children Guam 3.5 mi.

Race for Youth Show time: 5:45 a.m.

Go time: 6 a.m.

Location: Micronesia Mall March 7

March 26, 27 and 28

Time: March 26 gala performance at 5:30 p.m.; March 27 performance at 7 p.m.; and March 28 matinee at 2:30 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased at the door.

Location: Academy of Our Lady of Guam gymnasium

Ifit 5k Run

March 27, 28 and 29

Show time: 5 a.m.

Go time: 6 a.m.

Location: Bank of Guam, Hagåtña

6th Annual Malesso Gupot Chamorro/Crab Festival

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featured event

March 7-14

11th Annual Tumon Bay Music Festival The Tumon Bay Music Festival brings together musicians from Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Japan and the region to come together for a week of music making and friendship. The bands compete for titles and practice together for a finale concert. This educationally enriched event provides seminars, lectures, school visits and performances by musicians of all ages. Singers and instrumentalists can also sign up for the mass choir, honor band for middle and high school students, and the Tumon Bay International Wind Orchestra.

LOCATION: Various venues in Tumon For more INFO visit: tbmfguam.org schedule: March 7: Solo and small ensemble festival

March 8: “Jazz, Rock and Beyond” concert

March 9 and 10: Band and orchestra festival

March 11: Chamber music concert

March 12 to 13: Choral and hand bell festival

March 14: Finale concert and award ceremony

March 26, 27 and 28

March 28

GATE Theatre production of “The King and I”

2015 Lina’la-ta: A Musical Odyssey

Time: 7 p.m.

Location: GATE Theatre, Southern High School Tickets can be purchased at the door

Location: UOG Calvo Fieldhouse For more information, call 7352955/6/7 or email cheryl@uogendowment.org.

EVENTSCALENDAR

MARCH sun 1 • Umatac Guam History and Chamorro Heritage Fest • ISLA Center for the Arts at the University of Guam and the Office of the Japanese Consulate’s exhibit on Japanese architecture (thru March 26)

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mon 2

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wed 4

thu 5

Discovery Day

fri 6

MOVIES

Chappie The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel Unfinished Business The Coup Merchants of Doubt

• Umatac Guam History and Chamorro Heritage Fest

• Umatac Guam History and Chamorro Heritage Fest

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• Umatac Guam History and Chamorro Heritage Fest

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tue

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• Ko’ko Kids Fun Run

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• Umatac Guam History and Chamorro Heritage Fest • Rainbows for all Children Guam 3.5 mi.

Race for Youth • Ifit 5k Run

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Cinderella Run All Night Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension

MOVIES

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MOVIES

• University of Guam Charter Day • 12th Annual Chamoru Langage Competition

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sat

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• GATE Theatre production of “The King and I” • Academy of Our Lady of Guam production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella”

MOVIES Get Hard Home Serena

• Malesso Crab Festival • GATE Theatre production of “The King and I” • Academy of Our Lady of Guam production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella”

21 • 16th Annual Japan Club of Guam Arts and Crafts Fair

28 • Malesso Crab Festival • GATE Theatre production of “The King and I” • Academy of Our Lady of Guam production of Rogers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” • 2015 Lina’la-ta: a Musical Odyssey

• Malesso Crab Festival

FEATURED MOVIE March 15

Cinderella Disney reprises its 1950 animated classic with a live action retelling of the timeless tale. After her father’s unexpected passing, Cinderella is forced to bear the cruel treatment of her stepmother and stepsisters. Reduced to a maid in her own home, Cinderella, with determination and a little magic, sets out to win the heart of a prince.

Starring Lily James, Helena Bonham Carter and Richard Madden

*Event times and dates may change without notice.

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Essence of Guam///Chamorro month

On March 2, the island celebrates Guam History and Chamorro Heritage Day, but the entire month honors the culture.

A mortar and pestle are used to grind herbs for medicinal remedies found at Amot Taotao Tano farm.

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During Chamorro Month, or Mes Chamorro, there will be fiestas and a focus on education and the language.

But the Chamorro heritage beats in the hearts of Guam’s people all year round. Many find ways to proudly continue or revive traditions.

Essence of Guam///Chamorro Month

The medicine of a people STORY AND PHOTOS BY Joy White

Visitors to the Amot Taotao Tano Farm are amazed that plants they see everyday have medicinal properties.

Wind chimes made of recycled bottles, plastic lids and other knick knacks flutter in the wind of Amot Taotao Tano Farm. They were made by Bernice Tudela Nelson and are a hobby of hers, while farming plants for traditional medicine have been her lifelong dream.

The herbs and plants in Bernice’s farm have healing properties and are used by local surahana and surahanu. Although Bernice says she doesn’t think of herself as a surahana, she does research the plants’ medicinal uses and advises people on remedies for ailments.

“I heal a lot of people, and I guess some people say you can be a doctor if you heal some people, but I’m still learning; there are a lot of things [to learn]. Being a surahanu doesn’t mean that you’re going to know [everything] in one time; you still have to learn,” she says.

She reads a lot of books about different herbs and their applications to add to knowledge she gained growing up. She says traditional medicine is a lot like modern medicine. If a doctor prescribes something, it may not work and the patient will have to try another.

“When I’m out there, I feel so calm, like I’m one with the plants. It makes you forget about everything else because you just feel different... It’s therapeutic to be in the garden, sort of like the plants help you with their energy.” ~ Bernice Tudela Nelson Amot Taotao Tano farm

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Essence of Guam///Chamorro Month

(Clockwise from top left) Aloe vera is one of the many medicinal plants found at Amot Taotao Tano Farm; Bernice T. Nelson leads a tour of her herb farm in Dededo; Nelson and her helpers use various methods to cultivate seedlings and plants; Amot Taotao Tano Farm features a winding path among the plants and informative placards about each plant and its medicinal uses.

When it comes to using Chamorro traditional medicine, plant cures are either maipe or fresco. According to Bernice, maipe herbs are effective but can only be taken in moderation to avoid bad side effects. Fresco herbs don’t have bad side effects and can be taken regularly.

There are a lot of native plants that have medicinal uses and that are edible, but nowadays, not many people know about them. Bernice says when people visit, they are often surprised to find that things they mow down or see growing in their backyards can be used as simple remedies.

It’s part of the farm’s mission to educate the public and bring back the knowledge of the island’s native plants and its plethora of uses.

Amot Taotao Tano, which means medicine for the people of the land, is open for paid tours. Bernice is also working with a local volunteer group, AmeriCorps, to teach students how to care for the

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garden. She still has much more to do to complete her vision.

She said she hopes to expand the farm to include fruits and vegetables. Land is being cleared for a fruit and vegetable garden.

“There is still a lot to do...We’re still dreaming,” Bernice says. “It’s not complete yet… This is only a show and tell of what I’m doing here.”

On top of being a vehicle for education and a way to express her dreams, maintaining the garden is also therapeutic in itself.

“When I’m out there, I feel so calm, like I’m one with the plants.

It makes you forget about everything else because you just feel different. I’ve been away for months [busy with family matters and workshops.] It feels like [part of me] is missing… Just pulling grass — it’s very good for people with so much worry… It’s therapeutic to be in the garden, sort of like the plants help you with their energy,” she says.

Essence of Guam///Chamorro Month

Lukao Fuha:

A procession to the past STORY BY Bryce Guerrero PHOTOS COURTESY of Brandon Cruz

Lukao Fuha is a ceremonial gathering held in February to honor the origin of the Chamorro people. Formed by the group Our Islands Are Sacred, the ceremony is a revitalization of a tradition held in the ancient days. Long before the introduction of Catholicism to the island, Chamorro people would travel to Fuha Bay, the site believed to be the birthplace of the people of the Mariana Islands, to make offerings of prayers and to unite in spiritual energy.

According to various accounts of Chamorro legends, brother-sister spirits Pontan and Fo’na joined supernatural forces to form creation. Heeding instruction from her brother, Fo’na took apart Pontan’s body to fashion parts of the world. One of his eyes would become the sun, while the other was transformed into the moon. His eyebrows would be rainbows, and his back would form the earth. After Fo’na transformed her brother, she threw her body into the shallow sea, becoming Fuha Rock — the very destination of Lukao Fuha.

For a while, Lukao Fuha was lost, until it was restored last year.

“It’s a way to honor our ancestors. It’s a way to celebrate our life. It’s a unifying event,” says Brandon Cruz, a member of Our Islands Are Sacred.

The term lukao means a procession, or pilgrimage, but the celebration of heritage is also celebrated far from Guam’s shores by the Chamorro communities in Seattle and New York City. Our Islands Are Sacred held its first pilgrimage in 2014, where masses of people gathered to make the pilgrimage.

“It’s a way to honor our ancestors.

It’s a way to celebrate our life. It’s a unifying event.” ~ Brandon Cruz, member of Our Islands Are Sacred

“Our message is to basically find what’s sacred, and to connect to the sacred. What better way to do it than to organize this event?

It’s been done for maybe thousands of years,” Cruz says. “It’s an opportunity for us to unify our people — to think one, to be one and to work together collectively to promote, perpetuate and preserve our heritage, language and culture. […] Some people left with tears. They were inspired and they wanted to do something more. It’s a feeling that words can’t express.”

Lukao Fuha Procession 2013

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On the Cover///Artist Feature

Strumming his own legacy

Matua Sablan

STORY BY Joy White PHOTOS BY Joe Cruz

Matua Sablan is the son of legendary Chamorro songwriter, musician and recording artist Johnny Sablan, whose 1968 album “Dalai Nene” is known as the first commercially recorded album in Chamorro.

However, the younger Sablan is — as his selftitled album produced

by Hafa Adai Records states — just “Matua.“

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facebook.com/rrpacificguam

Matua plucks a few chords as the photographer sets up his equipment. The lights go up and are adjusted. A few test shots are taken and Matua begins strumming a tune. Later, on the deck of Tu Re Café, with the wind blowing on an unusually cool evening, Matua talks about his first album, his life goals and the events that led up to that exact moment.

“Everyone goes through something in life that inspires them or can knock them down. And for me, I had and am blessed to have had a life-changing experience that made me want to try music and see where it can take me,” Matua says.

Before that, he hadn’t really pictured himself pursing music. “I felt that even at my young age, music was kind of out of my reach already.

The dreams were not becoming reality and honestly, it just had to do with the right timing. Ryan Bustamante from Acoustic Attack Guam was giving me the opportunity, and it worked out for the best. We both got a lot of exposure this past year,” he says.

Early in 2014, Matua linked up with Acoustic Attack Guam, a YouTube channel dedicated to exposing local musicians, recording a couple of covers of his father’s songs and an original track, “Native Rock.” Matua’s first album was released in September, which features some Chamorro songs modeled after Johnny Sablan’s style, mixing together some traditional and contemporary ingredients. “I’m very traditional in the sense that I like the Antigo ways of music. When you hear my music, it’s sung as if sung back in the day, but with my flavor, my feel,” he says.

For Matua, the creative process for writing his songs was a lengthy process. “What I do, I look out at the ocean, go in my garage and just stare out while the sun is setting, and I’ll just try and come up with something, and bear in mind it takes months and months

at a time,” he says.

Chamorro music is about storytelling, he says. “If you can create a good story, you’ve got it. Heartbreak is the easiest one, but to be able to tell people how happy someone makes you feel through song that’s pretty difficult,” Matua says.

He says ideally he would craft his lyrics and music from his own experience and emotions. “It’s funny because I would like to get heartbroken. I’d actually like to feel pain. If you feel a lot of the songs on the radio [they’re] about love. Love makes you happy or love makes you sad.”

The album also features a wide selection of songs and genres to highlight the range of music he can play and to gauge his audience’s preference, including reggae, Daft Punk-type funky music, some Indie and others. Matua admits many musical influences and role models, including John Legend, Bob Marley, Bruno Mars, Smokey Robinson, Motown music, and even, once upon a time, the Beatles.

However, one artist that stands out as a great role model is his dad.

“If there’s music you would want to create, he is the number one on the top 10 to try to recreate that authentic, genuine Chamorro sound.

And those sounds were all prewar and postwar sounds, so they’re very difficult to recreate because our generation has not experienced that,” he says.

Apart from being his mentor, Johnny Sablan is also his father. “He’s very supportive and very tough on me as well because he’s produced more than 14 albums. So when I think I know what I’m doing, he’s just in the back saying, ‘Go ahead and learn from your mistakes yourself.’”

As he develops his sounds and produces music, Matua is learning the language, something he is proud of.

Although he strives to maintain the bar set by his father for Chamorro music, Matua does seek his own sphere of fame. “It’s only the beginning. I wouldn’t want to say that I’m a part of his legacy. I’m just focusing on being Matua Sablan. And I’m just going down the right path at this time,” he says.

It’s only the beginning. I wouldn’t want to say that I’m a part of his legacy. I’m just focusing on being Matua Sablan. And I’m just going down the right path at this time.” ~ MATUA SABLAN

While Chamorro music has been something he is known for, Matua says he’d one day like to branch off into other genres, but he faces something anyone in the music industry must contend: demand. “It’s difficult to go in a different direction because your fan base isn’t going to respond to your music. And if you want to continue and stay and influence other people and hope to inspire people you have to stay in your lane.”

“I would like to play some soul and R&B, but we don’t have that market here on Guam. Maybe if we did, if we had an extra 100,000 people, then we have more to play with,” he says.

As for the future, “I would like to be on America’s stage, come home and perform for our island, our community... But baby steps. We go from Guam to the region to the West Coast, then we dominate,” he says.

The album “Matua” can be found at Pika’s Café, Achotde Mart in Hagåtña, A and L Crafts, RJDJ Video Store in Agat and La Familia Store in Dededo. The full album is also available on iTunes.

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Restaurant Spotlight///Burgers

Where’s the beef?

Sink your teeth into the island’s most savory burgers

STORY BY Bryce Guerrero

Mosa’s Joint Signature burger: Spinach, mushroom, bleu cheese burger Hours of operation: From 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday to Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday to Saturday Phone number: 969-2469 Location: 103 Bjess Building Marine Corps Dr., Tamuning

Sumay Pub & Grill Signature burger: Pika Burger Hours of operation: 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Monday to Friday; 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. from on Saturday Phone number: 565-2377 Location: 1518 S. Marine Corps Dr., Santa Rita

Outback Steakhouse Staff choice: Bloomin’ Burger Hours of operation: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday Phone number: 646-1543 Location: 2nd Floor, Pacific Place, Tumon

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Meskla Dos Staff choice Uhang Burger Hours of operation: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday to Friday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday Phone number: 646-6299 Location: 413 A&B N. Marine Corps Dr., Tamuning, Guam

House of Brutus Signature burger: Brutus Burger Hours of operation: From 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Monday to Wednesday; from 7:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Thursday; from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday; from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Saturday; and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday Phone number: 647-0315 Location: 590 S.Marine Corps Dr., Suite 137, Tamuning

Ron’s Diner Staff choice: The “Ron”-ster Hours of operation: From 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday; From 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday; Closed on Saturday Phone number: 734-7667 Location: University Drive F&J Building, Mangilao

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Feature//Sports

Parkour: Forward Movement STORY BY Thomas Johnson • PHOTOS COURTESY of the Guam Parkour Association

While the movements have been in use for thousands of years across the globe, the collective discipline now known as p arkour first gained momentum in the suburbs of France in the early 1990s, shaped and molded by the movement’s founder, David Belle.

Belle learned and adapted many of the movements involved in modern Parkour from his father, fireman and former soldier Raymond Belle and combined them with the philosophy of Georges Hébert which he learned from his grandfather. The result was a utilitarian form of movement based on Hebert’s motto: “Êtrefort pourêtre utile,” or “being strong to be useful.”

In its purest form, parkour is the discipline of moving from point A to point B as efficiently as possible. Incorporating heavy amounts of jumping, climbing, running and vaulting, the discipline gives many of its practitioners a sense of physical and mental freedom.

And in a modern society where most of our movement is dictated by rules and imaginary lines, the discipline reminds that as human

beings, humans are not meant to be zoo animals sitting in cages of their own making. Humans have bodies for a reason, and parkour grants many practitioners a method and an outlet for a full range of motion and true expression of strength. But more importantly, it grants them a fuller connection with their physical environment and the world in general, and they almost always leave a training spot cleaner than they find it.

When Jason Triplett and I co-founded the Guam Parkour Association in 2009, we tried to keep as many of those concepts in mind as possible. As two of the island’s first traceurs, or parkour practitioners, we were concerned about the hype surrounding parkour-related YouTube videos and felt a responsibility to teach the

Coaches lead the pre-training stretches during the 2012 International Parkour Day celebration in Hagåtña.

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(Clockwise from top) Coaches lead the pre-training stretches during the 2012 International Parkour Day celebration in Hagåtña; Jason Triplett, C. John Quito, and Billy Navarrete take a break from coaching to pose for a picture; Students from Simon Sanchez High School taking part in an after-school Parkour workshop; and Members of the Guam Parkour Association monkey around while training at the Liguan Terrace Park.

appropriate safety techniques and mindset to newer practitioners to ensure they didn’t hurt themselves or damage the environment.

So we began teaching relatively small indoor classes at Island Twisters gymnastics gym, thanks to the generosity of the owners, Rick and Melinda Heath.

Our initial goal was simply to foster the growth of parkour in the local community, with a focus on positivity, safety and respect, but as the years went on, the community has grown and thrived, with new traceurs coming to learn every year.

In the years since its inception, the group

has been part of school physical education programs, community cleanups, monthly outdoor seminars, International Parkour Day events, and it has been recognized for its volunteer work in the community by the Guam Legislature. The Guam Parkour Association has even produced an American Ninja Warrior contestant in one of our first trainees and assistant coaches, Billy Navarrete. And while Jason and I have stopped teaching to pursue our own training, Billy now teaches adult and children’s classes at iFit Guam in Hagåtña, furthering the worldwide parkour community’s dedication

to safety, responsibility, and respect for our environment. If you’re interested in connecting with other members of the Guam parkour community, please visit the Guam Parkour Association Facebook page.

HUMANS have bodies for a reason, and Parkour grants many practitioners a method and an outlet for a full range of motion and true expression of strength.

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OUT&ABOUT

out & about

United Airlines hosted a media familiarization trip to Cairns, Australia, from Feb. 6 to 8. The group experienced a challenge ropes course, power jump and dome climb at Cairns Zoom & Wildlife Dome atop the Reef Hotel Casino.

Photos by Joy White

Patrick Palomo performed at the Tumon Sands Plaza throughout the month of February.

Photos by Joy White

Kiehl’s, located in T Galleria, held a grand opening party on Feb. 6.

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

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R&R is...

DIVERSITY.

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

OUT&ABOUT

Photos by Islandtech Photography

SukiCon 2015 was held on Feb. 7 and 8 at the Father Duenas Memorial School Phoenix Center.

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