The Chamorro Cultural Fest Committee of San Diego, California, hosted its 3rd Annual Chamorro Cultural Fest at the Market Creek Plaza, bringing together thousands of attendees to share in food, culture, games, and fun. This day long event which took place on March 24, 2012, seemed to be more than a fiesta, it was an amalgamation of talents which resulted in a synergistic energy, making the event that much more exciting and fun filled – an event that only comes once a year. The fact that it was free was more than a reason to celebrate. It was a success, all in all.

With the motto of  “Celebrating the People of the Mariana Islands”, there sure were many opportunities to do so. With dancers, singers, wood carvers, artists, and chefs, among others, one could surmise that there in fact was a celebration of talents from the Mariana Islands. With a half dozen workshops to provide the audience with interesting and educational opportunities to learn the culture and arts, it was hardly a boring experience. The line up at the workshops included learning the art of batik making with Judy Flores from the Guam Batik Gallery; story-telling with Tanya Taimanglo and Alison Cuasay from Guam Books and Beads; learning about the Sakman from  Mario Borja from Tungo’ Ramentan Chamorro; learning dance and culture from Heidi Quenga from Kutturan Chamoru Foundation, and from Vince Reyes from Inet’non Gefpa’go; and learning the art of Raffia Braiding and Korona making from Ju’ne Sablan Hawkins.

While the lines to the food vendors were long and drawn out, the taste of the islands could not dissuade anyone from leaving their place in the queu. The festival ended at sun down, while the event in the evening at the Jacobs Center just started revving up. With the DUB band, Ben “Maga Lahi” Lizama, Malafunkshun, and many other performers in attendance, hundreds of concert goers were lined up outside in anticipation of the doors opening at eight in the evening.

We had a wonderful time in San Diego, without a doubt. It is our hope to be able to do this again next year, God willing.

With our company opening up shop online a little less than a month ago, and having no prior vendor experience at a fair, we were absolutely encouraged by the many visitors and customers who came by to take in the many interesting illustrations. It is an honor to design tasteful and unique illustrated art for the many folks that were seeking our artwork, knowing that it will be displayed in the homes and offices of many across California and Las Vegas from where most people came from. While we brought over 40 unique illustrations to display and sell, we were unfortunately unable to bring three of our more recent designs including Two Lover’s Point, Bear Rock, and the Plumeria. However, these are available online now.

We stand committed to designing colorful and interestingly unique illustrated art that represents the Pacific Islands of Micronesia, including the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, and the Marianas Islands, including Saipan, Rota, and Tinian. We believe that there is a market for those wanting a unique type of culturally-themed island art as a conversation piece to be displayed in homes and offices that is tasteful.

If you know of a Chamorro cultural event that is coming up in the islands or in the mainland, feel free to leave us a message and let us now about it.