Category: inspirational

Raising Bilingual Children in Guam: A Filipino Family’s Journey 

As a Filipino family living in Guam, we have had the unique experience of raising bilingual children in a multicultural environment. Our journey has been filled with challenges and rewards, and we wanted to share our story to inspire other families who are navigating similar paths. One of the biggest challenges we faced was finding ways to incorporate both English and Tagalog into our children’s daily lives. We wanted to ensure that they were fluent in both languages, but we also wanted to ensure they could communicate effectively with their peers and teachers in school. To overcome this challenge, we made it a point to speak both languages at home and encouraged our children to watch TV shows and movies in English and Tagalog. Another challenge we faced was navigating cultural differences.

The Guaycos of Guam

As Filipinos, our family has a strong sense of community and family ties, which can sometimes clash with the individualistic culture of Guam. To address this, we made sure to introduce our children to both cultures and teach them to appreciate the strengths of each. We also made an effort to connect with other Filipino families in Guam, which helped us feel more connected to our culture and community. Despite the challenges, raising bilingual children in Guam has also been incredibly rewarding. Our children have been able to develop a deep appreciation for both cultures, and they have been able to communicate with people from all backgrounds. They have also developed a strong sense of empathy and understanding, which we believe will serve them well in their future endeavors.

As a family, we have also been able to explore the many hidden gems of Guam and connect with its people in a meaningful way. We have been inspired by the island’s multiculturalism and the warmth and hospitality of its residents. We believe that raising bilingual children in Guam has given us a unique perspective on the world and has enriched our lives in countless ways.

In conclusion, raising bilingual children in Guam is a journey that requires patience, perseverance, and an open mind. It can be challenging at times, but it is also incredibly rewarding. We encourage other families to embrace their multicultural identities and to celebrate the strengths of each culture. With a little effort and a lot of love, we believe that raising bilingual children in Guam can be a truly transformative experience.

Naturalized American – My story

With the current political issue about immigration in our country, it is timely and an extra special occasion that my Naturalization Ceremony is concelebrated with Martin Luther King, Jr. Day here on the island of Guam, on Friday January 12th 2018

President Donald Trump in a video message: “It is with great pride that I welcome you into the American family. No matter where you come from, or what faith you practice, our country is now your country, our history is now your history and our traditions are now your traditions.You will enjoy the full rights and the sacred duties that come with American citizenship.”

I have been working as an E. R. Nurse for 4 and a half years and being a part of the community where taking care of people during their most undesirable health conditions brings me closer to the heart of the people of Guam. When I emigrated from the Philippines I carried the values and discipline of a Filipino nurse – compassion, being respectful and hardworking. Just like those whom have came here on this island before me, these values have been intertwined to what we call the Hafa Adai spirit. The welcoming hospitality to others, the willingness to help and the respect for elders. Just like in the mainland, Guam is also a melting pot of culture and diversity.

Becoming a naturalized American citizen gives deeper connection and meaning to that Hafa Adai culture that I embraced when I came here 5 years ago.

The principles that Dr. Martin Luther King believed and have fought for, is the exact same principles that we should embody in these times of political divide concerning immigration rights.

As the keynote speaker of the event Mr. Michael Gadsden have said, we must be encouraged to fully participate and engage in the ‘democracy of America’.