Tag Archives: CNMI

Oct 20 2025

Wrap Yourself in Island Pride

The Modern Guam Seal Beach Towel

There’s something magical about the beaches of the Marianas—where turquoise waters meet white sand, and every breeze carries a whisper of island heritage. Whether you’re sunbathing on Tumon Bay or taking in the sunset at Saipan’s Micro Beach, the right towel does more than just dry you off—it becomes part of the experience.

That’s why we created the Modern Guam Seal Beach Towel—a plush, heavyweight towel that doesn’t just keep you dry, but wraps you in comfort, culture, and style.

A Towel That Speaks Island Luxury

Soft, thick, and vibrant, this towel is more than beach gear—it’s a statement.

The Modern Guam Seal design pays tribute to the island’s proud heritage with a modern twist, making it the perfect companion for both locals and island lovers abroad. Whether you’re lounging seaside or poolside, you’ll stand out with a piece of art that’s as meaningful as it is beautiful.

  • Vivid Print on Polyester Facing: The artwork comes to life in rich, tropical color.
  • Soft Cotton Loop Backing: Absorbent and durable, built for real beach days.
  • Available in Two Sizes: Whether you’re packing light or going full lounge mode—choose 30″ × 60″ or 36″ × 72″.

Note: Because of the towel’s luxurious thickness, some white may appear when the fibers are stroked—but that’s just part of its cozy charm.

A Little Island History in Every Thread 🌴

Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands are home to some of the most stunning and historically rich beaches in the Pacific. From the serene waters of Ritidian Point to the coral-filled coastline of Tinian’s Tachogna Beach, each stretch of sand tells a story—of Chamoru culture, WWII resilience, and generations of island life.

Did you know?

  • Guam’s Tumon Bay is not only famous for its resorts, but it’s also a protected marine preserve teeming with sea life.
  • Saipan’s Forbidden Island is a rugged, off-the-grid beach spot offering adventurous hikes and untamed beauty.
  • The Chamoru people, indigenous to the Mariana Islands, have a deep cultural connection to the ocean—reflected in traditional canoeing, fishing, and coastal living.

When you bring the Modern Guam Seal towel along, you’re carrying a little piece of this heritage with you—wherever you go.

Ready to Bring Island Vibes to Your Beach Day?

Whether you’re gifting it to a fellow island soul or treating yourself to a little tropical luxury, the Modern Guam Seal Beach Towel is a must-have for anyone who feels a connection to the Marianas.

Click here to order yours online today and let every beach day become a celebration of culture, comfort, and island pride.

Or click picture below to order your beach blanket online today!

Oct 5 2020

CHAMORU CUISINE: A Guam and CNMI Award-Winning Cookbook


To order your CHAMORU CUISINE cookbook, click here. If you have any questions about this cookbook, feel free to email us at sales@gerardaflaguecollection.com.

CHAMORU CUISINE: A Mariånas Cultural Legacy is an award-winning cookbook representing Guam and the islands of Saipan, Rota, and Tinian in the Northern Mariånas.

Gerard and Mary Aflague, formerly from Sinajana, Guam, craft a family legacy from their parents and World War II survivors Lorenzo and Julia Aflague. Their book highlights the CHamoru culture and hundreds of island recipes from the Mariånas.  Enjoy reading their stories, pass along a beautiful CHamoru history, and share tasty recipes with family and friends.

Book features:

  • Origins of a CHamoru family legacy
  • Narratives about preserving and passing on the CHamoru culture
  • Overview of the Mariånas
  • Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan maps
  • Stories of CHamoru culture
  • Narratives about the CHamoru people
  • A story about the CHamoru fiesta
  • Prayer before meals and the Lord’s Prayer in CHamoru and English
  • Phrases in the kitchen in CHamoru and English
  • Pencil drawings of Mariånas life from an 1800s Russian artist
  • Narratives and vintage photos about CHamoru culinary practices
  • Colorful imagery of the land and sea of the Mariåna islands
  • A brief history of CHamoru cuisine
  • Illustrated ingredients in English and CHamoru
  • Helpful kitchen tips
  • 108 CHamoru and island-inspired recipes
  • Doneness and temperature guides
  • Culinary terms and definitions in CHamoru and English
  • Mariånas harvesting calendars for fruits and vegetables
  • Index
  • Notes pages

Recipes in this book were prepared and photographed in the Aflagues’ test kitchen. They were crafted in keeping with the taste one would expect from CHamoru cooking. Of the 424 pages, there are 108 recipe pages and 108 beautiful photos showing finished dishes for a total of 216 recipe pages. Of the 108 recipes, a dozen are island-inspired (new creations from Mary and Gerard. The remaining recipes are fiesta dishes and home-style recipes). There are also 80+ pages highlighting aspects of CHamoru culinary fare, and dozens of pages sharing the culture of the Mariånas.

Pages: 424 total
Book Weight: 3 pounds, 4 ounces
Book size: 8 x 10 x 1.25 inches
Orientation: Portrait
Cover: Hardback cover with a debossed title
Inside: Full color and black and white pages
Edition: 1st
Publisher: Blue Wave Press
Authors: Gerard and Mary Aflague
Content and Copy Editor: Victoria Leon Guerrero
Cultural and CHamoru Editor: Joey Franquez
Recipe Editor: Vicki Tosher

CHAMORU CUISINE received a 2020 Gourmand “Best in World” Cookbook award.

Recipes in CHAMORU CUISINE include:

Amotsa Breakfast
Inafliton Hineksa Mariånas  Mariånas Fried Rice  
Yinalaka’ CHåda’, Atmagosu, yan Gollai Siha  Scrambled Eggs, Bitter Melon, and Veggies
Inafliton Hineksa ni Manå’yi Kåtne  Steak Fried Rice  
Pånket Siha Ginen i Isla  Island-Style Hot Cakes
CHurisos Dinanche, CHåda’, yan Hineksa’  Spicy Sausage, Eggs, and Rice   

CHesa Siha Appetizers
Boñelos Uhang  Shrimp Patties  
Lumpian Månnok  Chicken Spring Rolls  
Kelaguen Binådu Citrusy Chopped Venison  
Madoya  Fried Sweet Bananas  
Mana’pika na Getmon Maguro’  Spicy Tuna Crunch  
Mapikan Månnok yan Gollai Siha (Motsiyas)  Minced Chicken and Vegetables  
Kelaguen Kåtnen Guaka  Citrusy Chopped Beef   
Enkattidon Papåya  Pickled Papaya   
 
Gellai yan Ensalåda Siha Vegetables and Salads
Ensalådan Batåtas CHamoru  CHamoru Potato Salad  
Bok Choy, Payonsia yan Donne’ Gollai Agaga’   Bok Choy, Mushrooms, and Red Bell Peppers
Månnok, Gollai yan Satsan Hålom Tåno’   Chicken Veggie Bowl with Jungle Sauce  
Tininon Birenghenas ni Malechen Niyok   Roasted Eggplant in Coconut Milk  
Såtsan i Isla  Savory Island Salsa  
Gollai Hågon Suni  Taro Leaves in Coconut Milk  
Ensalådan Pånglao yan Gollai  Broccoli Crab Salad  
Såtsan Mames i Isla  Sweet Island Salsa  
Enkattidon Atmagosu  Pickled Bitter Melon  
Ensalådan Kåmba yan Daigo’  Cucumber and Daigo Salad  
Ensalådan Isla ‘Macaroni’  Island Macaroni Salad   
Tropikåt Ensalådan Mariånas  Tropical Mariånas Salad  
‘Spinach’ Hånom, Siboyas Dikike’, yan Håsngot’   Water Spinach, Shallots, and Ginger

Åggon Siha Starches
Hineksa’ Agaga’  CHamoru Red Rice  
Gollai Åppan Lemmai   Breadfruit in Coconut Milk  
Pån Sena  Dinner Rolls  
Pansit Kanton, Kåtnen Guaka, yan Gollai Siha  Pan-Fried Egg Noodles, Beef, and Vegetables  
Makomat Titiyas Harina  Grilled Flour Tortillas  
Riyenu  CHamoru Potato Stuffing  
Empanåda  Fried Red Rice Chicken Turnover  
Gollai Åppan Kamuti  Sweet Potatoes in Coconut Milk  
Pansit Bihon Månnok  Stir-Fried Chicken, Rice Noodles, and Vegetables  
Mahotnon Kamuten Lila   Roasted Purple Sweet Potatoes  
Gollai Åppan Mendioka   Cassava in Coconut Milk  
Titiyas Ma’es  Corn Tortillas  
Pika na Tamåles Gisu  Spicy and Savory Tamales  
Gollai Åppan Aga’  Bananas in Coconut Milk  
Titiyas Månha  Young Coconut Tortillas  
Hineksa’ Åpaka’  White Rice  
Mahotnon Mames Kamuti Siha  Roasted Sweet Potatoes  

Fina’denne’ yan Tinemplåda Siha Condiments and Marinades
Fina’denne’  Spicy-Soy Mariånas Sauce    
Fina’denne’ Binakle  Spicy-Vinegar Sauce  
Satsan Hålom Tåno’  Jungle Sauce  
Birenghenas Dinanche  Eggplant Hot Pepper Mash    
Tinemplan Kechap yan Lemon Mårianas  Mariånas Soy-Lemon Marinade  
Tinemplan Kechap yan Binakle  Soy-Vinegar Marinade   

Kåddo Siha Soups
Kåddon Månnok ni Malechen Niyok   Chicken Coconut Milk Soup  
Kåddon ‘Shank’ yan Papåya ni Malechen Niyok  Beef Shank and Papaya in Coconut Milk  
Aros Kåddon Månnok yan Hasngot   Rice Soup with Chicken and Ginger  
Esutangu, Kåtnen Guaka yan Gollai  Glass Noodles, Beef, and Vegetables  
‘Shank’ Guaka yan Puntan Kalamasa ni Maleche  Beef Shank and Pumpkin Tips in Coconut Milk  
Ilotes   Sweet Corn Soup with Coconut Milk  
Kåtnen Binådu, Puntan Kalamasa, yan Suni  Venison, Pumpkin Tips, and Taro  
Kåri  Fresh Turmeric and Chicken in Coconut Milk
Mongos yan Månnok  Mung Beans with Chicken  

Kåtne yan Gå’ga’ Tåsi Meats and Seafood
Kelaguen Månnok  Lemon Coconut Chopped Chicken  
CHamoskåddon Kåtnen Guaka  Hearty Beef Stew  
CHalakiles ni Manå’yiyi Kåtnen Månnok  Toasted Red Rice Chicken  
Tinaktak Kåtnen Guaka ni Malechen Niyok  Tenderized Beef in Coconut Milk  
CHurisos CHamoru  Chorizos CHamoru  
Estufao Månnok  Soy Garlic Chicken  
Tininon Kostiyas Babui  Grilled Pork Spare-Ribs  
Masipek Kåtnen Guaka yan Gollai  Beef and Vegetable Skewers  
Bistek  Soy-Vinegar Beef Sauté  
Tininon Månnok  Mariånas Grilled Chicken  
Kåddon Pikan Månnok  Spicy Stewed Soy Chicken  
Tininon Kostiyas Guaka  Grilled Beef Short Ribs  
Kåtnen ‘Rib-Eye’ yan Mångga ni Ma’afliton Yalaka’   Rib-Eye and Mango Stir Fry
Matostan Sesame Machamosan Maguro’   Sesame Encrusted Seared Tuna Salad  
Birenghenas yan Mana’mames Kåtnen Guaka   Eggplant and Sweet Beef
Guihan yan ‘Spinach’ ni Malechen Niyok  Fish and Spinach in Coconut Milk  
Pånglao ni Malechen Niyok  Crab in Coconut Milk  
Guihan yan ‘Bok Choy’ ni Malechen Niyok  Fish and Bok Choy in Coconut Milk  
Eskabeche  Fried Fish and Vegetables in Turmeric Sauce   
Kelaguen Uhang  Lemon Chopped Shrimp  
Kruket Satmon  Salmon Croquette  
Uhang ni Malechen Niyok  Shrimp in Coconut Milk
Guihan ni Mana’mames yan Ma’aksom   Sweet and Sour Fish  
Ma’afliton Guihan Palakse’/Låggua  Deep Fried Parrot Fish  

Fina’mames Siha Desserts
CHampulådu  Chocolate Rice Porridge  
Påstet  Baked Pumpkin Turnover  
Boñelos Aga’ Banana Doughnuts  
Buchibuchi  Fried Pumpkin Turnover  
Bukåyu  Coconut Candy  
Inafliton Roset  Crispy Rosettes  
Latiya  Cinnamon Custard Cake  
Boñelos Antigu  Sugar Doughnuts  
Mahotnon Mendioka yan Niyok  Baked Coconut Cassava   
Rosketti   Crumbly Cookies  
Pai Puddeng   Custard Pie  
Leche Flan   Caramel Custard Pudding  
Ensalådan Fresko na Fruta   Fresh Fruit Salad  
Pai Månha  Young Coconut Pie  
Pai Mames Kamuten Mariånas  Mariånas Sweet Potato Pie    
Guyuria  Glazed Twirly Cookies   
Pai Lemon ‘Meringue’  Lemon Meringue Pie  
Kalamai (Kulot de Rosa)  Pink Corn Pudding  
Makomat Mendioka yan Niyok (Apigige’)  Toasted Cassava and Coconut  
Puddeng Pån CHamoru  CHamoru Bread Pudding
Pai Mames na Kamuten Luta  Rota Sweet Potato Pie  
Åhu  Sweet Young Coconut Soup
Minesklan Niyok Tropikåt  Tropical Coconut Clusters      
Puddeng ‘Chia’ Aga’ yan Mångga   Banana Mango Chia Pudding
CHeritan ‘Acai’ yan Frutas Tropikåt   Tropical Fruits Acai Bowl  
Brohas  Sponge Cake  
Ma’åson Tamåles Niyok yan Mendioka Steamed Coconut and Cassava


Aug 21 2012

Affordable Embrodiery and Guam Patches Now Available for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Gis, and Other Apparel Including Jackets

Affordable Embroidery

Looking for affordable custom embroidery? We custom design and service your embroidery needs on hundreds of apparel items. All our embroidery work is high-quality products, with most of our embroidery made in the United States. Email us at sales@gerardaflaguecollection.com for inquiries and send us your designs if you’ve got them in hand. Send us any quotes you might have from another embroidery provider and we will make an effort to beat their prices.

Modern Guam Seal Patches

Through the Gerard Aflague Collection, we have recently released several large-sized embroidered patches with our exclusive Modern Guam Seal design appropriate for many different types of apparel, but most popularly for Brazilain Jiu Jitsu Gis. These high-quality patches come in 5, 7, and 9 inch sizes, and are multicolored with the word “Guam” in bright red, bright yellow, and bright blue.

These patches are absolutely the best designed Modern Guam Seal patches that exist online for purchase. Each nine inch patch has over 120,000 stitches. This is one of the highest counts for such a patch of its kind. Unlike many of the patches made in China, our patches are proudly made in the United States.

Our nine inch version will provide the best look on Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) Gis, Karate Gis, Sports Jackets, Leather Jackets, and other sports gear, as it shows the island logo best from many feet away. Our five and seven inch versions also make a great impression but would be most appropriate on pant leg, arm, and bag applications. All our Modern Guam Seal patches come with both a heat applied backing as well as a small perimeter edge of material to allow a seamstress to affix a patch to a piece of apparel.

Many islanders who practice the art of Gracie Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Guam and across the mainland, and who are avid Fokai followers, have been inquiring about high-quality Guam Seal patches that are embroidered and appropriate for martial arts gis. Some of our male and female Chamorro (Chamoru) or Guamanian Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners, fighters, and competitors on Guam, Japan, Hawaii, and California seek high-quality embroidered Guam Seal patches to represent our island of Guam and the Pacific. One such competitor from California recently requested for patches in anticipation for his international competition.  It’s because of customer inquiries that we have been able to provide these awesome patches to our customers.

Guam patch

While we have these patches available, we also have other more affordable patches including what you see on your left, which is a large seven inch patch of the word Guam together with a petroglyph drawing which is found in one of Guam’s caves, as well as a Chamorro – Hafa Adai 2×4 inch patch shown below.

Chamorro - Hafa Adai patch

Chamorro – Hafa Adai patch

We also offer direct embroidery of our designs on various apparel. If you are interested in any of our patches, please visit our online store at GerardAflagueCollection.Com. To inquire about getting your gear embroidered directly with our exclusive Modern Guam Seal design, please leave us a message on our website.

On this post,  you will find a few photographs of Jiu Jitsu gis with the Modern Guam Seal patch affixed.