SAN DIEGO — Under a cool, overcast sky here, dozens of Chamorros from Guam, Northern Marianas and the U.S. mainland celebrated the grand opening and the first Hafa Adai Festival of Guma Chamorro or House of Chamorros in the city’s famed Balboa Park Saturday morning.
From a vision of two business partners in 2015, to the formation of the nonprofit group House of Chamorros or HOC in 2016, to the completion and opening of the venue this year, various businesses, individuals, and the governments of Guam and the CNMI contributed over $500,000 to secure a place among 33 other countries in the park’s International House of Cottages.
“It is really humbling, to be honest with you, just looking around and seeing a dream come to fruition. It’s pretty wild, taking a series of events to get us here and now we can share our culture, language, music, and food to the world among a global community,” said JR So, one of the visionaries of this project and a founder of House of Chamorros.
So was with business partner Shin Tairo at an event in Balboa Park in 2015 when they both noticed that despite the global diversity of the parkland, there were no houses that represented Mariana Islands, thus they started the initiative in 2016 to get a house built at one of the busiest landmarks in the United States.
It was important to So and Tairo that Guam and the CNMI were united in this effort, so David and Dorisann Aldan-Atalig along with Patrick D. Cabrera and Susan Castro-Cabrera were soon invited to join HOC as CNMI liaisons and worked directly with the group in providing support from the CNMI.
Six years later, which according to HOC Vice President Philip Gogue, Jr. is the fastest time a house was completed in Balboa Park, Guma Chamorro hosted its grand opening ceremony and a Hafa Adai Festival with dignitaries and delegations from Guam, Saipan, Rota, Tinian, and the U.S. mainland.
Local dance groups from San Diego, such as the Imahen Taotao Tano and Uno Hit led the opening ceremonies, along with the house blessing by Rev. Fr. Lawrence Agi. Food vendors sold popular Chamorro foods, and other organizations featured cultural information and products.
San Diego Chief of Police David Nisleit was represented by a group of police officers from throughout the Pacific Islands, while San Diego Sheriff Anthony Ray and San Diego Councilman Stephen Whitburn also joined the ceremonies.
Former U.S. Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo presented resolutions from Guam Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero and the Guam Legislature to HOC President Jeff Macaraeg, HOC officers and Board of Directors.
U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Peter Gumataotao delivered the keynote address, encouraging the importance of “living our culture.”
“Living our culture is fundamental, rather than just speaking about it. Our values are salt of the earth. Our kindness, humility, and ability to work together is a living testament to how we should celebrate our culture,” Gumataotao said.
Saipan Senate Floor Leader Vinnie F. Sablan, who was representing CNMI Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, agreed, saying “We are all from one house.”
“We are proud to know that we now have a place thousands of miles away from the Marianas where we can showcase our language, our heritage and our culture to all who visit the House of Chamorros, and this doesn’t only include our indigenous people who have been away from our islands, but also to those who may have been born out here and have never traveled to the islands — and to those who may have never heard of the Mariana Islands,” Sablan said.
Sablan, along with Rota Mayor Efraim Atalig and Tinian Mayor Edwin Aldan joined a delegation from the NMI showcasing cultural dances, local jewelry, weaving, local medicine demonstrations, and live entertainment from Parker Yobei and I Man Urritao Iya Gani dance group.
Tinian-based artisan Matthew Masga also displayed his handmade shell jewelry inspired by the Ancient Chamorros and donated a few unique pieces for visitors to view at the House of Chamorro.
The Marianas Visitors Authority, the Guam Visitors Bureau and the Saipan & Northern Islands Legislative Delegation are also major supporters of the House of Chamorro, along with numerous businesses, organizations, and individuals.
Gumataotao also credited the accomplishment to three other late founders, Gregorio Camacho, Joey Benito Cepeda and John Fejeran. HOC would like to also further recognize the efforts and contributions of Donald Waller and John Manibusan.
The House of Chamorro, according to its President Jeff Macaraeg, is planning to keep an active calendar and seeks volunteers to join its annual membership drive for only $20 a year.
“For $20, you receive a gift, keep an active membership, and help keep our important programs and activities going throughout the year,” he said.
The other HOC officers are Vice President Philip Gogue Jr., Treasurer Mary S. San Agustin and Secretary R. Janice Bouffiou. The Board of Directors are Dolores Cepeda, Brenda Maanao Diaz, Lola Gogue, Melissa Salas-Rameriez and Michelle Cachero.
For more information or to become a member, visit https://www.houseofchamorros.org/join/
The House of Pacific Relations International Cottages is the main charitable organization running the program at Balboa Park, with each cottage representing a culture and offering educational programs.
December Nights is the largest event, drawing thousands of visitors, featuring the annual Ethnic Food Fair and the International Christmas Festival, showcasing food and entertainment from around the world. For more information, visit www.sdhpr.org/.
House of Chamorros CNMI liaison member John Oliver Gonzalez, center, joins his I Man Urritao Iya Gani dance group during a photo session right before performing at the Hafa Adai Festival in San Diego.
Father Lawrence Agi blesses the guests and HOC Board of Directors member Brenda Maanao Diaz at the House of Chamorros grand opening and Hafa Adai Festival at Balboa Park in San Diego, California Saturday morning while HOC President Jeff Macaraeg, Vice President Philip Gogue Jr., and BOD member Lola Gogue look on.
Hafa Adai Festival Volunteer Jennifer White-Aguon looks at some of the items being displayed inside the newly opened House of Chamorros in San Diego’s Balboa Park.
From left, House of Chamorros Board of Directors and Founders Dolores Cepeda, David Atalig, Doris Aldan-Atalig and JR So gather for a photo during the Hafa Adai Festival Saturday morning.
Tinian Mayor Edwin P. Aldan and local carver Matthew Masga showcase some of the islands’ most vibrant shell jewelry.
Hafa Adai Festival Volunteer Janice Santos helps sell local souvenirs to visitors. Proceeds will go to help provide cultural educational activities at the House of Chamorros.
San Diego based dancers from Uno Hit perform a chant during the grand opening ceremonies of the House of Chamorros while House of Chamorros President Jeff Macaraeg looks on.
House of Chamorros Executive Board Members and Leadership Team responsible for the successful grand opening of Guma Chamorro take a moment for a photo before the Latte Stone icon at the Hafa Adai Festival in San Diego.
House of Chamorros Queen Sophia Gogue smiles as she showcases local shell jewelry from Tinian during the Hafa Adai Festival.
Senate Floor Leader Vinnie F. Sablan delivers remarks on behalf of Gov. Ralph DLG Torres at the grand opening of the House of the Chamorros.
Rota Mayor Efraim M. Atalig greets visitors at the Rota booth during the Hafa Adai Festival.
Commonwealth Council for Arts and Culture Executive Director Parker Yobei and Indigenous Affairs Office Resident Director Roman Tudela Jr. sing the national anthem during the House of Chamorros grand opening ceremonies.
