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Univ er sit y o f Gu am’s st u de n t M ag azin e
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MUNNIES: By Levanna Eugenio here’s a new type of canvas completely different from ones commonly known to artists. Local entrepreneur and artist, Zard Apuya, has taken creativity to a whole new level in his creations of customized Munnies. In 2010, Apuya found a new outlet to channel his passion for art and a
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way to de-stress from college and that was through the use of the Munny. A munny is one of Kidrobot’s products and is a blank human-shaped figured made out of vinyl plastic that allows anyone to customize it however they like. “It's a new form of canvas allowing the artist to visualize and create anything
see: custom munny page 4
C o n t r i b u t o r s’ What is your New Year’s Resolution?
-Alexa Rojales, Sociology major
to learn to be more patient, be more productive with school and never feel discouraged! -Maricar Carpio, nursing major
to Not dwell on the past, not worry about the future but live in the moment. -Charlotte Zapanta, Elementary Education major
be more respobsible with my money and make better decisions in my life. -Josh usalla, Art major
Corner
Manage my time wisely and try to stop procrastinating.
top: zard apuya shows off couple of his creations. above: a munny created to look like popular snacks. photos courtesy of zard apuya
Tr iton’ s Call established 1965
Publisher Dr. Aristides E. Pereira Editor Jasmine Stole Assistant Editor Ashley Chua triton’s Call is published by the Division of Communication and Fine Arts in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, and is funded in part by student fees. reporters and editors participate in the publication as journalism students or as contributing writers, photographers, and designers.
University of Guam Student magazine Phone: 735-2224 Fax: 735-2721 E-mail: uogtritonscall@gmail.com STAFF
C AnDiCE A nAniCh P hiLLiP B LAS E nriqUE B AzA A riEL B UCCAt A ShLEy C hUA L EvAnnA E UGEnio J ACqUELinE G UzMAn v AnESSA M ALUMAy
contributors Ashley Quintanilla Nicanor Mercado
J@tritonscall F/thetritonscall custom munny continued from page 3: with it. You can cut it up, add to it, or paint it as is,” says Apuya. Before his newfound hobby, Apuya was customizing shoes, hats, and bags. But after painting the first munny he ever bought at JP Superstore, he found that he was addicted to the craft. Apuya then continued creating more and eventually decided to post his work online. It was there when he learned that people were interested in his art. “After posting and sharing my first few creations, people started to inquire whether I can do custom Munny versions of themselves,” shares Apuya. Surprised at the won-
derful feedback he received, Apuya decided to obtain a business license and from there his business officially started. Back in 2010, he was making one munny a month and now he’s up to about 15 munnies per month. With the holidays around the corner, Apuya anticipates more orders coming in. Apuya admits that his craziest order so far has been the Angry Bird Munny. He shares that he literally took apart the munny and repositioned its arms and body to create the slingshot. When brainstorming of ideas how to create a new munny, all Apuya does is look at the munny itself. He simply looks at his blank canvas and “paints” the picture in his
w w w.t r i t o n s c a l l . n e t head. “Believe it or not, I usually never create a draft on a piece of paper. I like to just attack it head on,” Apuya says. With no hesitation, he attempts to create a new munny only referring to images or objects when he needs the assistance. This young artist’s challenges himself each time he creates a new munny, especially ones for his personal collection. Apuya likes to top his last creation by making his next one better than the one before. “I always like to go over-theedge and do ‘I never would have thought of that’ pieces,” he says. He prefers to work with abstract designs because it allows him
more freedom to work with the munny. With his business only 2-years-old, Apuya has been featured in various local expos such as the GAX art show and was also interviewed in KUAM’s In the Mix. As he is gaining more of the publics interest with his munnies, he will always see his creations as art and not business. “Art has always been a passion of mine and I really am glad that I finally found the perfect canvas to use to express this passion. Even though it grew to become a business for me, I will always look at it as more of a hobby,” describes Apuya.
MAY THE FORCE BE WITH MICKEY By Vanessa Malumay
see: mickey page 7
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orget Tron and Epcot Center, Disney has bigger news for sci-fi enthusiast. The company has recently purchased George Lucas’s production company, Lucasfilm. It’ll soon produce three more Star Wars movies and possibly a Star Wars theme park. This news is as shocking as hearing Darth Vader say, “I am your father.” It’s been seven years since Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith hit the-
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he human race is threatened with the presence of the Elder Dragons that have spread their evil through many lands and its people, and the only way for this darkness to be defeated is with the help of the Charr, Norn, Sylvari, and Asura in this battle. In actuality, the only battle happening right now is among students trying to keep up with their online gaming habit and trying to maintain an acceptable grade point average. Just because Halloween has come and gone, the ability to slip into the mind of role-play is still winding up as Guild Wars 2 continues to draw more interest. For many people desperately in need of a distraction from the daily grind of their lives, becoming another character – sometimes an entirely different species – gives them the chance to dive into another world. In the case of many students, distractions are nearly always difficult to refuse. The world of online virtual gaming is a familiar part of campus life. Students generally keep the gaming to the comfort of the homes or internet cafés, but there used to be a time when students could walk into a computer lab in one of the colleges and find half the computers claimed by WoW lovers.
Many people on campus are involved and the world of GW2 is not reserved for students only. Some of the former university students-turned-staff find themselves fighting Elder Dragons in the late hours of the weeknight. Granted, some of these graduates have degrees in computers and seem to encourage the stereotype of the computer tech’s obsession with gaming, but many other students involved with the game have little more interest in their computers than how to turn it on so they can start gaming. With all the graphics, settings, and plot, students are easily drawn into a textbook-free world where impending finals do not exist. One gamer had a little insight to share and said, “Not everyone gets into it. You have to reach a higher level, where you’re allowed to do more, before you can really start to enjoy the game. But people seem to stick once they start.” When reaching a higher level means becoming a giant warrior with dangerous spikes for armor and a fiery sword, the drive to play more starts to build, even when underneath all the spikes and flaming weaponry your character is actually a huge cat. But gamers have other forms to choose from when they are given up to
six options and a lot can be discovered about a gamer’s personality in the form they appear. Or other gamers can just discover insights about their friend or foe through the little message board on the side of the screen. While other games seem to favor the use and fun of headsets as they scream at each other through the lines, many GW2 gamers seem to prefer the messaging. As another gamer shared, “Most of the game is spent trying to keep track of everything going on around you. So most of the time all you can hear is the keys tapping and someone breathing. Then it’s just awkward.”
virtual gaming
reclaims campus by Jacqueline Guzman
PHOTO BY WWW.GIANTBOMB.COM
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magine a miracle crop that had over 25,000 uses known to man; a crop that allowed us to achieve top quality at high quantities. Imagine that that crop produced the strongest natural fiber in the world and could be made into virtually anything from food to fuel for your car. Imagine that that very same crop also nourished our soil, absorbed emissions, created clean oxygen, did not need pesticides, created thousands of U.S. Jobs, supported our economy, was not at all dangerous to the land or its people, and provided, not just sustainable energy, but renewable energy. A durable, profitable, clean, renewable source of energy and commodities—you’d think that America would be all over such forward thinking. Such a crop sounds like something straight out of a fairytale or from the future. However, this miracle crop does exist and has been right under our noses for over 5,000 years. Okay maybe not right under our noses since this miracle
crop is illegal in the Land of the Free, but it has been under the noses of every other industrialized country in the world. The ancient miracle crop of the future? Industrial hemp. Because of its relationship to sweet Mary Jane, hemp has been automatically sentenced to a life full of affliction, and is illegal to cultivate in the United States. The truth, however, is that marijuana is to hemp as wolf is to chihuahua. They’re related, but they’re not the same thing. Hemp actually refers to the varieties of the plant Cannabis sativa that contain less than 2% tetrahydrocannabinol (better known as THC, or the stuff that gets you high.) It’s not rocket science—the higher the THC levels, the higher you get. The low levels of THC in hemp make it impossible to smoke effectively. Yet the United States remains the only industrialized nation that prohibits the cultivation of industrial hemp all while being the world’s largest hemp importer.
Hemp hobbyists AdaMaCaDocious: the Kosher Stoner and Manny Blunts of the podcast The PotCast attribute all the hypocrisy to politricks and mere lack of public information. “Industrial hemp should be legalized. We’re messing up the Earth with all this drilling and deforestation,” says Manny Blunts, and maybe these evil pacifist hippies are onto something. For years scientists have said that the petrol oil source is depleting. “Of the 98 oil producing nations in the world, 65 of them have passed their peak,” according to Rob Hopkins, a speaker for TED Talks 2009. “We now consume four barrels of oil for every one that we discover.” Clearly an alternative to petrol oil is imperative. One way the world could break its crude oil dependence is through biodiesel. Biodiesel is the only alternative fuel that can be used in any unmodified diesel engine. Corn, soy, sugar cane, and rapeseed can all be made into biodiesel. However, cue
hemp, the industrial powerhouse. Hemp is more optimal than any other source of biodiesel because its production would reduce oil outsourcing and increase national revenue and agricultural jobs. A study conducted at The University of Missouri found that “an average-size metropolitan area production of 100 million gallons of biodiesel fuel could generate $8 million in personal income and 6000 temporary and permanent jobs.” Hemp is also the most eco-friendly option. It doesn’t require the clearing of land, grows noticeably faster than any of the other crops producing up to 10 tons per acre every 4 months, can grow in any climate, is draught resistant, and requires fewer pesticides. According to ThePotcast, 220 million lbs. of toxic pollution is dumped into our air due to deforestation. 300 million tons of chlorine and carcinogen dioxin is dumped into water
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each year by paper companies. Hemp is a nonwood source of pulp and can be easily turned into paper, at a much lesser cost. Paper, diesel, plastics, textiles, rope, apparel, hemp oil, technical products, fiberglass substitute, concrete, compost, denim, margarine, supplements, seed cake, soap, shampoo, abrasive fluids, cosmetics, etc. can all be made from hemp. Hemp is also a food. It contains all the essential and non essential proteins, as well as Omega 3, 6 and 9 in its seeds alone. Can you hear that? That’s the sound of an economic boom. It seems the truth is that hemp isn’t dangerous to anyone except for big oil and paper companies; and alcohol and tobacco indus-
tries who have their own agenda. It is both an industrial powerhouse and the most eco-friendly way to break our nation’s dependency on crude oil. It doesn’t matter if you’re a seasoned stoner, a reefer rookie, a hemp hobbyist, or just canna curious. You cannot deny what has been scientifically proven, and you definitely should not deny or force Mother Nature as she is beginning to retaliate.
photo by jasmine stole
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By nicanor mercado
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he consumption of alcohol is nothing new to the people of Guam. Probably more than half of the island can admit to consuming any form of alcohol before the age of eighteen, maybe even younger. Although you may have started drinking at a young age or just reached the land of legalization, a majority of the drinking population have been a victim of being drunk. Now, there are many types of drunkenness. If they were broken down, there would be about three, distinct stages; the good, bad and ugly. There is the good kind of drunk, where the drinker most likely becomes easygoing, pleasant, center of attention, sociable and all-around great guy. This usually affects those who are considered introverts in real life, or don’t drink as often. “I was told that I mumbled an entire rap song during a car ride. Even though drinking isn’t my thing, I still had a good time,” explained Red Swindle, a UOG student. He also mentioned that he doesn’t see
himself drinking for a while, but would be up for it in the near future. Where there are good drunks, there are the bad. Many drinkers can relate to this level of drunkenness. It is not the worst, but not the best either. In this stage of drunkenness, people who are normally outgoing, sociable or consume alcohol regularly are usually victims. They have a tendency of becoming opposite of who they are. “My friends tell me that I’m mean (which I’m not). Also, that I went crazy on them when I lost my wallet after clubbing, ” said Harvest Moon, a computer-science major at GCC. Last, but not least, is the ugliest form of drunk. This is where the individual may become obnoxious, rowdy, shameless and may suffer from memory loss. They become someone completely different, in other words. Dandy Lion, an employee at the Netopia Internet Cafe in Tamuning, recently celebrated his 25th birthday. “I remember walking the plank (a drink special at Abandon Ship), then taking a shot at
Porky’s,” Lion said. “After that, I blacked out. My friends said I called my ex-girlfriend ‘ex-wife’ and danced with hot women at Club W.” He also added that he wished he could recollect everything that happened rather than hearing stories of it. Whether you become the person you want to be, become someone opposite of yourself or black out in all the alcoholic splendor, you may find yourself becoming any of these upon drinking. And although there are many more types of drunks out there, they always have the tendency of being considered good, bad or ugly. *In order to ensure privacy, names have been changed.
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w w w.t r i t o n s c a l l . n e t mickey continued from page 4 aters and finally put an end to the prequels of this mega franchise. Now Disney announced that it’ll revive the franchise yet again as Lucas passed on the lightsaber. This time around, the stories will take place after Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, which was released back in 1983. University of Guam student and fan, Barry Hernandez, isn’t as worried that Disney will continue the saga, “Disney doesn't seem to be too inclined to mess with their merged properties. It all depends on how much control Disney has over Lucasfilms.” Expectations are higher for the new films since the prequels have disappointed many fans. Story analysis Antonio del Drago wisely wrote, “The problem is that they grievously undermine what made the original trilogy so great, which is the mythos.” The original trilogy had stories that audience could grasp, a young boy becoming a hero and a villain that redeems himself for the father/son love he has for the hero. What the prequels promised was a deeper look into how Anakin Skywalker became Darth Vader, a great man’s fall to the Darkside. The plot sounds simple to project onto screen. Unfortunately Lucas didn’t give Anakin the right attitude to be the great man. Audiences received a selfish young Anakin who was easily in love and easily manipulated. The plots left fans just as confused as Episode I when they were introduced to Jar Jar Binks.
Thankfully Disney doesn’t have to look too far for helping hands. After the original trilogy concluded, novels and comics started to come out, continuing the franchise. Shocking plot twists enticed fans of the series especially University of Guam student and fan, Oliver La Madrid, “The books say Luke becomes a Sith Lord, it was intended for one of his son's to become a Sith Lord.” Writers and producers may have to be careful as Hernandez explains, “There is a lot of content that takes place after Return of the Jedi which is considered canon.” Photographer and fan Vlad Navasca would suggest, “Telling the story from book to screen will take more than just two hours but to appease the diehard fans, they might have to rely on the books.” With all the curiosity on how the three new films will turn out, Disney continues to shock audiences like Emperor Palpatine can shock Luke Skywalker with his hands. Plans have been announced to open a theme park dedicated to sci-fi blockbuster. Fans may finally get to simulate Luke’s mission to blow up the Death Star, go to Dagobah and train to be a Jedi by Master Yoda, or perhaps know what it feels like to get captured by Ewoks. Fans and tourist just have to wait for what Disney and Lucasfilm can do together. For now, they will just have to revisit the stories, “A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away.”
We asked
you...
what are your
post-grad plans? I want to escape school for a while through, like travel, which I am going to eventually go to Korea during the first week of January. David Mercado Secondary Education: English Literature
Either to pursue my MBA or study for my CPA. Carmel Vi Accounting and Human Resource Management Concentration spending more time with my family. I’m going to look into going into journalism. Christina Cruz English: Literature Emphasis I plan on repaying my obligation to the Yamashita Corp., which is 2 years of service. I will seek employment in GDOE and hopefully get a teaching job as a Physical Educator or Health. I also would plan on pursuing a Master's on Instructional Technology. Mark Ganeb Secondary Education: Physical Education, Health & Sports Studies paying off my scholarship obligations, then pursue my M.A. in Speech Therapy or School Administration. Hannah Galura Secondary Education: English as a Second Language by
levanna eugenio
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Throughout the semester, if you’re in need of a quick snack and you’re too lazy to drive to a convenient store, the bookstore has your basic junk food needs covered.
Ok, maybe not everything, but the guy running the joint has the widest choice of foods on campus.
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w w w.t r i t o n s c a l l . n e t By
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Enrique
Baza
iving on Guam one might say it is like living in paradise. Clear blue skies, warm temperatures, and clean beaches. Scratch that last part. With Guam expecting a serious population boost we might never see a clean beach again. Islands are known for being a “tropical paradise,” but here on Guam some people take for granted the beauty of a beach and don’t clean up after themselves. Do you ever count how many people go to the beach? Do you ever count how many people actually pick up all their trash? On the weekend the number of people that go to the beach are high and although some people do clean after themselves, there are still those who don’t. It seems like the only beach that could be clean are the areas that
are secluded from everyone or on a military base. People don’t realize that by just leaving their trash they cause damage not only ugly to the eye but also harmful to people and environment. There are people that frequently visit the ocean to participate in recreational activities. John Barber, a bodyboarder that visits different beaches daily expressed, “it can be hazardous to both people and wildlife.” Things like broken glass pose as a potential concern for the safety of the people that go to the beach, especially children. The debris on beaches affects all forms of life. Trash, such as cigarette butts and plastic bags, could be mistaken for food by some animals and most likely if the trash is eaten, the creature that consumes it will most likely die from it. Fishing nets are sometimes abandoned by fishermen who decide
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that they don’t want to take the time to untangle their net from the coral, killing all the fish that swim in that area that are not caught for food, but are instead left to die. Other than damaging the environment, killing wildlife, and affecting safety, some might say that the filth could also affect how people would enjoy their time at the ocean. This includes surfers, swimmers, divers and people that just want a warm scenic place to barbeque. Kyle Yuroko, a frequent bodyboarder mentioned, “the trash degrades the beach.” After explaining how he likes to bring his kids to the beach Yuroko feels “disgusted how sometimes I’m picking up other people’s mess.” Guam’s main source of income is its tourism industry. If all that a visitor sees are dirty beaches, they could return home and tell stories
about how our waters are filthy and might not seem attractive for others to visit Guam, therefore decreasing government revenue. There is hope. Anyone interested in hosting a beach clean up is encouraged to do so. Just pick any beach or river area and a weekend morning. Then send the event details to the Micronesia Diving Association (MDA) clean-up crew by email to cleanupguam@gmail.co m. For more information about hosting your own clean-up visit the MDA website http://www.mdaguam.co m/mycleanup.htm The beauty of our island depends on us. We must keep our beaches clean to ensure that our future can have clean waters for people to enjoy and prosper for generations to come. Pick up your trash and clean after yourself because nobody likes a dirty beach.
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