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1907 Guam Case No 135: True Love
- Details
- Written by: Bernard Punzalan
The times of the early 1900s for Guam were an era of cultural transition, to say the least. It was also a period in the world where many topics were sensitive and censored from public display or discourse.
In 1907, Island Attorney Tomas Calvo filed a charge against Atanasio Blaz y Cruz (Atanasio Cruz Blaz), a teacher in Guam’s public school system. The charge against Blaz was for bringing in and circulating a book, titled “True Love” among a group of young male and female teachers. Calvo contended that the book was “extremely immodest or indecent or immoral,” which violated Article 571 paragraph 2 of the Penal Code.
Witnesses for the prosecution included:
- Rafaela Saiz
- Juanita Saiz
- Conchita Martinez
- Francisco Taitano
- Gregorio Perez
- Jose Roberto
Blaz was arrested and brought before the court where the complaint was read to him. The Honorable Judge Luis de Torres y Diaz(Luis Diaz Torres) presided and advised Blaz of his rights and asked him how he pleads: guilty or not guilty to the misdemeanor as charged. Without a debate, Blaz pleaded guilty and was fined seven dollars and ten cents and three dollars for costs. In the event he was unable to pay fine and cost he would have to work for “public purpose” until the fine and cost was deemed to have been satisfied. Blaz paid the fine and cost.
Pre-Pigo Catholic Cemetery Land Owners: Estate Number 2
- Details
- Written by: Bernard Punzalan
One of the earliest known owners of the land where the Pigo Catholic Cemetery is located in Aniguak, Guam was Don Manuel Brabo y Brabo. In 1858, Don Manuel sold a piece of property consisting of five hectares and fifty-two ares to Doña Dolores de la Cruz. This land was further described as a parcel of limy land. Towards the north of its borders were the coconut plantations of Mariano de la Cruz and Joaquin Diaz. To the east of its borders were the estates of Jose de Salas and Jose Sablan, and on the west was the Pigo river. To the southeast was the mountain of Tumaglago. The purchase amount was not disclosed in the land record. The neighboring witnesses to the land transaction were Don Luis de la Cruz and Jose Mendiola.
On January 13, 1873, Doña Dolores sold two ares and twelve and a half centares to Fray Aniceto Ybanez del Carmen for 50 pesos. To the north, east and south of this property were the coconut plantations of Doña Dolores and to the west is the Pigo river. It seems not long after this transaction this particular piece of property thereafter became known as or commonly referred to as the Pigo Cemetery or Pigo Catholic Cemetery. The instrumental witnesses recorded in this transaction were: 1) Mariano de Castro y Torres (aka Mariano Torres Castro), 51 years of age and married; 2) Mariano Fausto y Borja (aka Mariano Borja Fausto), 38 years of age, married and a laborer; and, 3) Juan del Rosario y Flores (aka Juan Flores Rosario), a Peninsular Spaniard, 39 years of age and married.
These land recordings occurred on March 14, 1895. Doña Dolores de la Cruz was further described as 73 years old and a single woman.
Database Update 7 May 2013
- Details
- Written by: Bernard Punzalan
The database has been updated and has grown from 291,892 to 294,080 names.
Susupe Orphanage Following the Battle of Saipan
- Details
- Written by: Bernard Punzalan
This photo is from the book “History of the Northern Mariana Islands,” first edition, 1991, by Don A. Farrell and published by the Public School System, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
These were children that were brought to Camp Susupe following the battle of Saipan. Nearly half of them became orphans after losing both parents during the war. Their orphanage was quickly constructed to address their needs and situation. Prior to the closing of Camp Susupe all the children had been adopted by their own fellow country people.
Note: The population count on Saipan in April 1945, which did not include military personnel, was 17,974. Of that amount only 2,426 were Chamorro. The remainder consisted of 810 Carolinians, 13,373 were a combination of Japanese and Okinawan, and 1,365 were Korean.
Mañahak Fever
- Details
- Written by: Bernard Punzalan
Background. Mañahak is certainly a heavily desired yet seasonal seafood item that has existed in the Chamorro culture for over hundreds of years. These tiny juvenile Rabbit fish make their appearance around April-May and occasionally in October of each year. When these fish make their appearance, many fishermen and women will cease all activities to hunt these fish down. Yes, many will even take a leave of absence from work too due to the mañahak fever!
Time Capsule. In 1927, it was estimated that 75 tons of mañahak were caught throughout the shores and beaches on Guam. At the time there was an island-wide shortage of commercial salt, which threatened the loss of the majority of the catch. However, Tun Pedro Pangelinan Martinez helped with the shortage when he came forward with 25,000 pounds of salt from his ice plant. (Pacific Profiles, 1964)
How do you prefer your mañahak???
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