a renowned master sand painter in the Pacific, and perhaps the greatest Chamorro artist of his time, his first cousin, musician the late Frank Bokongo’ Pangelinan, whose siblings are also recording artists.
Toves’ second cousin is also Judge Perry Inos whose daughter Ana Marie recorded with him on his latest release as well as other performers like Jesus Castro, Kevin Atalig, Frank Gabriel Manglona Jose Mesa, Melchor A. Mendiola and Aniceto Mundo.
As a young boy, Barrie , as fondly called by friends, loved to sing in talent shows sponsored by the school and community.
“I’ll get extremely upset if my name is not picked by my homeroom teacher to represent our class. Sometimes I had to compete and win our class popular approval. I win some and then I lose some. At least I tried,” said Toves.
During his teen years in the late 80’s, he organized the Teen Club. As a lead performer, their group performed break dance, lip sync, and various cultural dances that they choreographed.
“The best part I remember most is the joy and excitement we impart on our audience. The last impressions of loud cheering crowd made me wonder what it would be like to actually sing and perform my own songs.”
He is proud to say, that at that time, they were the first and only group in Rota that mastered Michael Jackson’s famous moon walk move.
Inspired with how the people reacted to his performances, Barrie embarked into learning to play guitar from Pedro Duenas who later married his aunt.
His first composition “Drug Free” come out after being so inspired by neighbor Kevin Atalig, who taught him how to strum upbeat tunes.
“I decided to complete my album and record my music after surviving my dreadful accident in April 1999 when I got lost at sea with Jeffrey Manglona and Alvin Pinaula. I thought if I was to die, it would be a shame not to leave my voice behind for my children to hear after I’m gone. A talent would be wasted,” he said.
Barrie recorded his album not to make money but to share his talent to the community. He performed for fundraiser concerts as well as community concerts in Saipan, Rota, and Tinian for free.
Barrie, married to Noreen Atalig Sablan, has five children, Albert Herman, 19; Barry Jr, 17; Bianca Shai, 13; Hannah Rhys; 6; and Matua, 22 months old.
He loves to nurture and share his talents in songwriting, recording, sand painting, handicrafts, publishing and designing while continue keeping up with his hobbies in surfing the Internet, reading, experimenting with computer software programs, especially those with desktop publishing design and all types of media programs which he could use to create amazing layouts.
Asked how he developed his sand painting, Barrie attributed his skill directly from the “master himself,” referring to his father.
Barrie recalled his childhood sitting and marveling at the tremendous patience and intricate steps his father took to create his amazing master piece of work
“One day, I brought one of my works to show him and as I was approaching to set it on the table, my mother laughed and kept laughing. I felt agitated and thought she was making fun until she said she never thought I would be interested in following my dad’s footsteps,” said Toves.
“I thought my work was not admirable. That day, I learned some pointers from my dad, from colors to the brush strokes to the proper type of brushes and techniques to use when and how to use them,” he said.
He attributed though his talents through his faith of God, whom he feels he owes a debt of gratitude throughout his life.
As the eldest son of the only master sand painter, Barrie was so proud that his father had created his works through his imagination.
His father’s unique artwork captured the admiration of people from all across the Pacific, including Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Europe, Southeast Asia, and the continental U.S.
“My brother Albert and I saw how he developed his unique creations. In his shadow, I digitally recorded almost every masterpiece he created before his trips to various Pacific Arts festivals,” said Toves.
Barrie and his brother vowed to continue the legacy of their father by including their own works and their children’s work in the museum.
While he is still engrossed in making music, Barrie admitted the he is changing his preference, for now, because he is inspired to carry on the legacy of sand painting.
