Guam-A Different Perspective


For the first time in many years, the world is able to see Guam in such a unique and beautiful way-through a masterpiece of a video on Guam as part of a high quality promotion of the island for the 12th Festival of the Pacific Arts to be held here in 2016.  Many have dubbed the cultural fair as the "Pacific Olympics"  for the high level of competition in recent years in the traditional chanting and dancing categories of the FESTPAC and scores of displays of the wares of the Chamorro society and the other indigenous peoples of the Pacific.
 
The 6:46 video takes the viewer through a brief history of Guam touching on the first contact with Explorer Ferdinand Magellan, Spanish rule and U.S. administration into the current day on island.  The video also uses spectacular graphics to show its place in Micronesia and Oceania.

Most importantly the video showcases our island culture intertwined with shots of the ultra-modern international airport, popular tourist sites activities and the stunning crystal blue waters and white sands that surround our 250 square mile Paradise Guam.  My favorite part of this video is the showcase of the Southern part of our island-unfortunately my home village Talofofo was not in it.

With all the fuss about delays in the Guam Buildup Program, the exaggeration of the prevalence of the brown tree snake and quirky local politicians, this video does such a great job to show a side of Guam not seen in many years.

I am not sure who produced this video, seen on the You Tube channel of Guam Legislative Speak Judy Won Pat.  It has local production company Shooting Star Productions finger prints all over it-job well done folks. The old Guam Postcard video, seen by many on VHS, did its best to showcase the island-but nothing like this.

Creativity.  Honesty. Passion.

This video shares these threeimportant values of our people to the rest of the world and of the efforts ofthe organizing committee preparing to welcome the FESTPAC to the island.  The road ahead over the next three years is going to be tough.  10 thousand plus participants will be on Guam for the event.  There are expected to be even more folks here to experience the Pacific culture like never seen before.

This is exciting stuff that we as an island community should get behind.  I have not seen such interest in one single community event since Guam hosted the South Pacific Games in 1999.  While still a long way out, please considering giving to the effort or plan to volunteer time to make this event a very special one for Guam and islanders across the region. Our culture will be showcased.  

The activity will do such much for the island that we won't truly know the social and financial impacts until way past the final song is sang on the FESTPAC Main Stage.

We are all ready. Thanks for the video. And finally-Good Luck Guam!