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There is also a horse ranch called Rock n’ Rail Horse Ranch.
The Belly
The word Barrigada came from the Spanish meaning the flank
side or the belly of Guam. It lies in the middle of the island and
has hosted many family ranches. The term barriga da appropriately
applies to the village, the village filled the bellies of the people
of Guam. Though it has become a largely residential district of
Guam, you can still find small family farms and fruit trees like
lemon in the yards.
Just as Barrigada fed our belly, Mangilao feeds our mind. The
village is home to many education institutions including the
University of Guam. The University sits on top of a cliff overlooking
the horizon, poetically it has come to represent curiosity
and exploration. It represents that fire in our belly. That fire may
also just be from the donne’ in the village, the mascot of Mangilao.
The Villages of Mongmong-Toto-Maite is another central village
that has become more residential. There are a few commercial
and industrial buildings scattered along Route 8. However, Inside
the village, there are hills, valleys, and wetlands. The wetlands
make it a great place to grow wetland agricultural products
including taro.
The South
The south is iconic to Guam. It represents the many parallels of
the island. On one side is limestone, the other side is mountains;
one side is concrete, wide roads, and malls the other side is jungle,
rivers, and Spanish–era buildings that have been almost lost
in the northern parts of Guam. The south makes the north look
mundane.
The villages that epitomizes the culture of the South (the souf)
are Inarajan, Talo’fofo, and Merizo to name a few. The quiet villages
are loud with culture and nature. Inarajan is home to
Inetnon Gef’pago. Talo’fofo has black sand, rivers, and waterfalls.
Merizo has the ever-popular crab festival a link to our Spanish-
Chamorro-Catholic heritage.
The War
The war is crucial to Guam’s heritage and culture. It was the
period in Guam history where our role in the world was established.
Two nations butted heads here to determine dominance
in the Pacific region. While this battle of supremacy took place,
the people of Guam suffered through many atrocities that were
not of their doing. The worst atrocities happened at the many
concentration camps, labor camps, and massacre sites around
the island. While no camp deserves less attention than any other,
Manenggon remains in the heart and minds of us all. Manenggon
lies in the valleys of Yona. Every year the Manenggon Memorial
Foundation holds its Freedom Run to retrace the route that the
people of Guam walked to get to Manenggon. Manenggon is an
important pilgrimage and a time for reflection.
As the Americans came to liberate the people of Guam from Japan,
Asan-Maina played an integral role in Guam’s capture. Asan
hosts many World War II sites including Asan Beach Park and
the Asan Bay Overlook. During World War I, Asan Point was
the sight where German sailors on the SMS Cormoran were incarcerated.
Agat hosted many events during the war. One of Agat’s role was
the construction of the Naval Base during Post-War Guam.
Thousands of Filipino laborers came to live in one of the biggest
labor camps on Guam called Camp Roxas.
The Economy/Modern Guam
Finally, we get to this point in Guam’s history. It is incredible
where we are today and how short of a time we got here. From
humble ranchers and fishermen in the early half of the 20th century,
to an economic powerhouse in the region during the latter
half; the people of Guam went through such drastic changes in
just a short amount time . Sometimes it is really hard to fathom
all the changes our parents and grandparents lived through. The
villages of Dededo, Tamuning-Tumon-Harmon, and Piti represent
tourism and the manufacturing and importation of goods on
our island. Our bread and butter.
The most modern part of Guam is probably the village of Dededo.
The village has subdivisions, shopping malls, and a brand
new hospital. You can do a lot of shopping in this village alone.
You can buy produce at the flea market and then a shirt at the
Micronesia Mall. There are also golf courses near ranches near
sports facilities. It’s an interesting village.
But the best representation of modern Guam and our economy is
the Tamuning area encompassing Harmon and Tumon. We have
created an entire district catering to tourists where accommodations,
food, and entertainment can be found in one area. These
villages enhance our tourism industry. Who would’ve thought
that tourism would play an important role in our lives?
This area represent our capitalistic and consumer society of today.
We engage in buying things just as much as tourists do.
Shopping on our island will be nowhere without our port. In this
regards, Piti plays a strategic role in our economy and society.
The village bring in all the goods and products that we value so
much.
The village has played strategic roles throughout the years.
Transfers between many of Guam’s colonial powers have happened
here, from Spain to the United States to Japan. The village
houses our power plant. It also is where many recreational activities
can be found that is important for our tourism industry like
Fish Eye Marine Park and Atlantis Submarines. There are many
dive points including the Tokai Maru and SMS Cormoran ships.
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