Bishop Agustín José Bernaus y Serra, or Bishop Bernaus, was the second Apostolic Vicar of Guam. When Bishop Francisco Javier Vilá died in 1913, Bernaus was appointed to succeed him, and was given the titular diocese of Milopotamus.
Bishop Agustín José Bernaus Read Post »
Francisco Garrido Franquez (1921 – 2006), also known as “Frank” or “Ankie,” first picked up the harmonica at the age of 14 years old. In 1935 or 1936 there was a harmonica contest in the Guam schools for students throughout the island. Though Franquez did not care for the instrument at first, he continued to practice and eventually became an accomplished player.
Francisco G. Franquez Read Post »
Jazz is a unique style of modern music. Remnants of jazz can be heard in several different styles of music. The origin of jazz is said to date back to the African-American experience that emerged in the early 20th century. Since then, it has evolved into what many now consider to be one of the most popular and innovative styles of music.
Contemporary CHamoru music is a ubiquitous part of life on Guam at the beginning of the 21st century and a key element of modern CHamoru culture. CHamoru music encompasses a wide variety of styles that reflect the wide variety of musical influences that have gained popularity through various historical eras.
When Lt. Commander William Sewell served as the third American Governor of Guam beginning in 1903, he reacted poorly to the Spanish flavor of the music on island.
The first US Naval Hospital in Guam was established in Hagåtña in August 1899 by Surgeon Philip Leach. Since many Chamorros at the time consulted with suruhånu/suruhånas (traditional healers) for medical concerns, the hospital was the only source of modern western medicine on the island.
US Naval Hospital 1899-1941 Read Post »
Because of a shortage of personnel Navy Medical Officers began teaching local women to be health care workers. The first class offered, in 1901, was in midwifery (local women delivered 325 babies that year) beginning a long tradition of the staff of the Naval Hospital teaching local people to be health care providers using Western medical practices.
From 1899 to 1941 US Marines given the title “Insular Patrolman” were selected to live in Guam’s villages and maintain order. Among their many duties was to enforce the island’s sanitary and public health regulations as dictated by the US Navy administration.
Leprosy – Insular Patrol Read Post »
In the first decade of the 20th century, the US Navy embarked on a policy of forcibly segregating Chamorros suspected of having Hansen’s disease (leprosy) from the rest of Guam’s population, and sending them to live in leper colonies such as the one established at Ypao, Tumon or as far away as on the island of Culion in the Philippines.
Leprosy – Local Reaction Read Post »
Spanish built first leprosarium. As early as the 1600s, Western explorers documented seeing Chamorros of the Mariana Islands afflicted with apparent Hansen’s disease, or leprosy. Still, it wasn’t until hundreds of years later that a government-sanctioned policy of seclusion and confinement of Hansen’s patients gained a foothold in Guam.
Leprosy – Hospitals and Colonies Read Post »
