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. 14 <strong>HESLER</strong>/
SUMMER/2015 15