March 2017 | Volume 6, Issue No. 1 Håfa Adai Everyday

Håfa Adai Pledge Program Reaches Milestone Åmot Farm Inc. became the 700th member of the Håfa Adai Pledge program on Thursday, March 9 in . It marked a milestone for the Visitors Bureau’s local community branding campaign. From left: Miranda Muñoz, GVB administrative assistant; Dee Hernandez, GVB cultural heritage ocer; Clare Calvo, Åmot Farm Inc. board member; Jon Nathan Denight, GVB president and CEO; Rose Cunli e, GVB director of finance and administration; Senator Tina Muña Barnes, 33rd Guam Legislature; Bernice T. Nelson, Åmot Farm Inc. suruhana and farm manager; Frank Rabon, Åmot Farm Inc. board chairman; Bill McDonald, Åmot Farm Inc. board member; Liz Stinson, board member; Mayor Melissa B. Savares, village of Dededo, mayor; Gwendolyn Tudela Aguon, Åmot Farm Inc. consultant; Senator Joe S. San Agustin, 34th Guam Legislature; Seb Pehlivanian, DPHSS NCD community gardens member; Zina Ruiz, Åmot Farm Inc. secretary; Ronald T. Laguana, Åmot Farm Inc., board member; and Retta Sue Hamilton, Åmot Farm Inc. executive director.

34th Guam Legislature Takes Håfa Adai Pledge: The Guam Visitors Bureau welcomed the 34th Guam Legislature to the Håfa Adai Pledge program. Senators took the pledge at a special ceremony on Friday, March 10 in the Guam Legislature building in Hagåtña. From left: Sen. Louise B. Muna; Sen. Mary C. Torres; Sen. Frank B. Aguon Jr.; Vice Speaker Therese M. Terlaje; Bart Jackson, GVB board member; Speaker Benjamin J.F. Cruz; Sen. Dennis G. Rodriguez Jr., chairman of tourism committee; Pilar Laguana, GVB director of global marketing; Young Sook Hong, GVB board member; Sen. Joe S. San Agustin; Ana Cid, GVB director of tourism research; Sen. Fernando B. Esteves; Antonio Muna Jr., GVB acting president and CEO; Sen. Regine Biscoe Lee; Sen. James V. Espaldon; Theresa Arriola, GVB board member; Sen. Thomas A. Morrison. LIVING THE HÅFA ADAI PLEDGE Micah Paulino Whether on or o the field, Micah Paulino encourages the Håfa Adai spirt.

Micah plays attacking midfielder for Matao, the men’s national team of the Guam Football Association. The resident American President Lines signed the Håfa Adai Pledge at a ceremony Tuesday, has been with the men’s national March 7 at the Guam Visitors Bureau’s oce in Tumon. From left: Melanie team for 10 years. Palomo, sales manager; Iris Pinlac, customer service; Carlito Ubay, customer service; Velma Santos, customer service manager; Michelle Vinall, APL Japan; Micah is one of the Matao players Darlene Jabinigay, sales support; Pilar Laguana, GVB director of global who lead the Inifresi (Guam marketing; Ray Cruz-Hartley, liner manager; Christopher Santos, operations; Pledge) chant before games. “It's John Selleck, general manager; Charles Emsley, equipment control; Paolo Fiscal, not only fun, but the chant is a operations; Jason Mendoza, operations; Michelle Quidachay, sales manager; testimony for the ages which Toney Fong, customer service; Charlie Hermosa, North America sales director; carries a meaningful e ect Eric Mensing, president. because it serves as a reminder to what our ancestors would have wanted,” he said.

Micah, a U.S. Army ocer in the Guam Army National Guard, thinks long-term when it comes to honoring the Håfa Adai Pledge taken by GFA.

“You invert whatever is inconsistent with your pledge/mission/goal and you eliminate it as there is an increasing number of distractions today that throws you o course and makes you forget what you’re setting out to accomplish in the first place,” he said. “From there, you’re left with what really matters and then you focus on what needs to get done.”

Micah encourages others to think about how their actions shape not only their reputation but also Guam’s.

ABC Stores took the Hafa Adai Pledge on Feb. 28. The Hafa Adai pledge is a “Anyone can show the Håfa Adai spirit on Guam or abroad by cornerstone of the Guam Visitors Bureau’s local community branding campaign. wearing a T-shirt,” he said. “But what I've come to learn is that what Standing, from left: Rebecca Camacho, regional merchandising manager, Guam really matters are the decisions you make and the reputation you and ; Gina Kono, GVB acting director of global marketing; Dominic Reyes, uphold. Your behavior, word of mouth, and other telltale signs will area manager, Guam and Saipan; Aaron Gandaoli, district manager, Guam and say a lot more about our island than most islanders think. So the Saipan; Rose Cunli e, GVB acting president and CEO; William Nault, GVB board question I have for everyone is what reputation do you want Guam member; Bryan Lee, store manager - Store 509; Geri Koshiba, store manager - to have? And don't forget, the answer you have for this question Store 511; Noelani Yano, store manager - Store 506. Sitting from left: Perlita impacts your family name as well.” Carlos, manager in charge, Store 505; Jesseca Rekemesik, store manager – Store 503; Arlene Cruz, store manager – Store 507; Marlon Tamayo, store manager - By showing sportsmanship and the Håfa Adai spirit, Micah is a Store 512; Annabel Certeza, GVB administrative assistant finance and strong example of living the Håfa Adai Pledge. administration; Elaine Pangelinan, GVB marketing coordinator, Hong Kong and Taiwan; Nakisha Onedera Garrido, GVB marketing coordinator, China. LEARN CHAMORRO I'm fine, thank you Maolek ha’ yu’, Si Yu’us Ma’åse

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Several businesses took the pledge Monday, Feb. 27 at the . From left: Charles McJohn, Agana Shopping Center assistant general manager; Ivan Valencia, Giftforia owner; Rita General, Great National Insurance mall branch supervisor; Jennifer Santos, Great National Insurance adjuster; Dorriann Songeni, Great National Insurance underwriter; Vilma Bumagat, Great National Insurance HR & systems manager; Marilou Besabar, Great National Insurance general manager; Troy Sagun, GUD Munchies LLC owner; Aline Mendoza, SM Island administrative ocer; Jon Nathan Denight, GVB president and CEO.

Tourism helps preserve local history Guam has a rich history, and the visitor industry shines a light on it. Visitors can learn about ancient Chamorro society, Spanish colonization, American rule and Japanese occupation. They can walk amid historical structures like latte stones and Japanese gun emplacements. They can dive near sunken ships from two eras – the SMS Cormoran II from World War I and the Tokai Maru from World War II.

With tourism dollars, e orts to preserve local history have been successful. The Tourist Attraction Fund has supported historic Hagåtña projects, the Malesso Bell Tower, and the historic monument and plaza commemorating Ferdinand Magellan’s visit to Umatac Bay.

In addition, tourism dollars support institutions and organizations that share local history. Backed by TAF, the provides informative presentations such as construction. TAF provides money to Guampedia, an online encyclopedia that highlights Chamorro heritage as well as Guam history. Among the initiatives that TAF also supports are the Historic Inalahan Foundation and Inetnon Gefpå’go, a program that raises awareness of Chamorro heritage.

Making Guam a better place to live, work, and visit! Take the Håfa Adai Pledge today! For more information, call 646-5278 or email Hå[email protected]. Like Guam Visitors Bureau on Facebook