Tritons Call December 2016, Volume 41, Issue 4

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Fall 2016, Vol. 41, Issue 4, December

University experiences cash crunch

GovGuam still short $10 million in its promised funding

By Aaron Pier and Dominic Cawili Triton’s Call Staff The University of Guam has been facing funding issues at the tail-end of Fiscal Year 2016. It now finds itself without Government of Guam funding for the FY 2017.

According to UOG President Robert Underwood, “The University of Guam operates on a budget of about $90 million dollars a year.”

Of the $90 million spent Continued on page 2

UOG faces funding issues and it now finds itself without Government of Guam funding for the FY 2017. Photo by Kyle Twardowski

Board of Regents meeting highlights financial issues

By Cody Dowless Triton’s Call Staff The UOG Board of Regents held their most recent meeting on Thursday Nov. 16 at 5:30 pm in the RFK Library’s AV room. A working session was held 1 hour prior to this at the President’s Conference Room in the SBPA building.

According to the UOG website, the University’s Board of Regents has general supervision over UOG. They, “Set the policies governing the duties, conditions of employment, compensation, and salary of all University employees.” An

Vice President of Administration and Finance Randall V. Wiegand addresses the board regarding financial issues. Photo by Kevin Tano annual budget submitted to the legislature is also their duty.

The board meets no less than 4 times a year. This meeting was their fourth for 2016.

In attendance were

board members, various UOG faculty and professors, representatives from Student Government Association, as well as some members of the public.

The meeting began

with opening remarks from the chairperson, Ms. Antoinette Sanford and UOG president and Board Executive Secretary Robert A. Underwood.

One recurring theme in board member’s remarks was concerns about funding for the university.

“My biggest concern here, for the record, is the fact that we are still severely underfunded.

We’ve had meetings with the president and the administration, and they are very very concerned,” Chairperson Ms. Antoinette Sanford said in her opening report.

UOG President Robert Underwood’s opening report mirrored Chairperson Sanford’s in this aspect.

“We are in a very severe financial situation,” said Underwood.

“We’ve had to hold back spending and slow down other spending, and it has been very difficult on almost everybody.”

SGA president Samantha David also expressed how the financial issues have resulted in a smaller than usual SGA Thanksgiving event which will be a small

University of Guam, Triton’s Call, December 2016

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Continued: UOG weathers through financial constraints Continued from page 1 by the University, $60 million is accrued by the University itself through things such as grants and tuition; and the remaining $30 million is a cash allotment from the Government of Guam.

The money raised by tuition and grants cover the remaining operational costs of the University, as well as the extra services that are provided.

The $60 million raised by the University also goes to improving the infrastructure of the campus, and keeping the campus up-to-date with new technological demands.

Cash allotments for the University have been provided by the Government of Guam since 1952, and are generally used for the payment of permanent employees and to cov-

er the cost of utilities for the campus.

According to Underwood, “The amount of money allotted for the University has remained about the same since the 90’s.”

To date, the Government of Guam still owes the University approx. $10 million. According to Underwood, this time last year, the Government only owed the University approx. $2.7 million.

The Department of Administration is chipping away at the $10 million dollar shortage, at a rate of about $500,000 every Friday.

At the current rate, DOA will not be able to finish paying the money owed for FY 2016 until about April 2017.

Due to the delay of funds promised by the government, the University of Guam is now dipping into its reserve funds.

“At the rate of spending, the University will

deplete its reserve funds by January,” Underwood said.

Underwood, however, reassures students that the University will continue to function despite the cash crunch.

“It will simply mean that the funds that were planned to be used for upgrades and improvements will be displaced to ensure the University keeps running,” Underwood said.

The University is already beginning to feel the effects of the cash shortage in its relationship with its vendors.

Instead of the usual three-3 month waiting period for vendors to receive money, they now are faced with a six-month waiting period.

In order to counter the cash allotment shortage, the University may potentially have to entertain some cutbacks.

The cutbacks could include the elimination of some of the Univer-

sity’s programs, and a possible rise in tuition costs.

Underwood said, “We hope we do not have to pursue alternatives, such as raising the tuition, as the tuition rates have remained unchanged over the past few years; and we do not want to cut any programs as we remain committed to providing the best University experience we can for our island.”

As of now, the previously mentioned alternatives are not in a phase of being implemented, and remains nothing more than a grim prospect that the University hopes to not entertain more than it already has.

SGA responds to financial challenges Rumors have spread throughout UOG campus that most of the student fees directed towards the Student Government Association (SGA) have gone

missing and are used by the university for other purposes.

That is not the case.

Every semester students pay an exact number of student fees when paying for their tuition. Those student fees go to SGA for enjoyable events and activities made for those students.

According to treasurer Bertran Pacios, “We [SGA representatives] met with the Senior Vice President and Vice President of Administration and Finance to explain how GovGuam still owes the university money, so they just want us to be financially responsible with the money we do have.

Although SGA and all students have been financially constrained from their student activity funds, SGA has managed to successfully hold their first event near the end of the semester.

Thanksgiving dinner hosted for dorm students

By Alan Seid Tritons Call Staff The University of Guam Residence Life Office hosted a big Thanksgiving dinner for the dorm residents on Thursday, November 24th. The event was hosted at the University’s student cafeteria.

The all you can eat style dinner drew in over 120 dorm residents and outside guests. Among the

many guests, the president of the university, Robert Underwood was able to make an appearance, and gave a few words to the crowd.

The Residence Life Office definitely went all out for the event when it came to food.

The flyer for the event proudly said, “Starts at 6 pm - Until the food runs out.” Much of the food that was provided was donated by the Publisher Francis Dalisay, Ph.D. Editor-in-chief Jeff Bautista Circulation Manager Cody Dowless

university’s generous staff members.

The Director of Dorms, Jonathan Triplett, said, “We know that it can be tough to be away from your family during the holidays.”

Triplett also said, “we wanted to do something for the residents for the holidays, and to provide a place for them to go for Thanksgiving,” Triplett also added that, “We were very

grateful and excited that president Underwood came, he took the time out of his personal life and his own family to become part of our Thanksgiving.”

The dinner also feature music, games, and prizes as entertainment for their guests. “It was a lot of fun and food,” said dorm resident, McMichael Mutok. “The reason why the event is important is because

Staff witers Dominic Cawili Calvin Cho Cody Dowless Tamaaki Gondo Aaron Pier Alan Seid, Jr.

Contributors Amanda Dedicatoria Michael Delfin Corey Santos

it makes the university feel like a home away from home. I was very thankful to celebrate together as dorm residents.”

The University of Guam Residence Halls has roughly 200 residents currently living there. All of the residents come from as many as 10 different countries and cultures.

Email us: tritonscalluog@ gmail.com tritonscall.com facebook.com/tritons.call twitter.com/tritonscalluog

By Calvin Cho

Triton’s Call Staff On Nov 17, The EMC^2 club hosted their bi-annual gaming event known as the “Battleground”.

This event welcomed gamers of all skill levels to test their gaming skills in a various different competitive tournaments for various different games.

The main event lineup of games that participates are able to join we’re Super Smash Bros. 4, Super Smash Bros. Melee, Street Fighter V, and Tekken Tag Tournament 2.

Alongside the gaming tournaments that were held, the EMC^2 club also hosted side events such as a movie showing, a Magic the Gathering casual draft

EMC^2 helf their Bi-annual battleground fundraiser at the University of Guam Cafeteria November 17, 2016.

Photo by Kevin Nuezca Tano

and raffle giveaways for those who came to the event.

Tomas Ray Garcia, who was in attendance, said “Venue was super chill, and overall had a great

time. Got to get super hype over every game since I’m always the one yelling.”

The “Battleground” event is a long-time tradition for the club and

has been for four years now.

The event was created as a way to promote the STEM program.

EMC^2 president Våni Isidro said, “As part of

our mission to promote stem we”EMC^2” club think that this event is a good way to do that, just to help spark that interest and make them really excited.”

Students showcase skills at Triton’s Got Talent contest

By Alan Seid Tritons Call Staff

Students gathered at the University of Guam’s student center on Wednesday, November 23rd to witness the Student Life Office’s event, Tritons Got Talent. The talent show was able to draw out a crowd of around 40 students to come watch.

A total of eleven brave students contestants were able to showcase their various talents during the event. Some talents Iaen Taijeron performs in front of the student audience and judges at the Tritons Got included mesmerizing Talent contest. Photo by Alan Seid Yo-Yo routines, song and dance, beatboxment value, audience tonio, EMSS academic ing, and even freestyle appeal, skill level, and counselor, Sally SaIt came down to a very rapping. aesthetic appeal. blan, and SGA’s treaclose competition but The contestants The judges for the surer, Burt Palacios. in the end, Nathaniel were judged based on event comprised of The grand prize for Kyle Bilange preformed a number of competiboth university students the event was $250, the a creative dance that tion criteria. The criteria and staff. The judges prize for second place captivated the audience for the competition are were , the admissions was $150, and third and judges and was as followed, originality supervisor, Angie Anplace was $100. able to edge out the and creativity, entertain-

competition and secure his first place win. Second place was awarded to Vince Alcantera, and third place went to a Brett O’connor and Alexander Allen.

Tritons Got Talent first started during the fall semester of 2014.

The talent show was created as an “activity that can engage the students and showcase the talents that we have here,” said Student Life Office’s program coordinator, Eden Suarez-Galvez. Now Tritons Got Talent is hosted every semester.

For more information about Tritons Got Talen, feel free to contact the Student Life Office program coordinator, Eden Suarez-Galves at (671) 735-0246 or email her at www.galveze@triton. uog.edu.

3 University of Guam, Triton’s Call, December 2016

Gamers participate in “Battleground 2016”

University of Guam, Triton’s Call, December 2016

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Habitat for Humanity of Guam builds hope

By Isabella Alvia For Triton’s Call Myra Blas is a working Myra Blas is a working mother, struggling to make ends meet while ensuring the well-being of her family.

“I knew my family of six could no longer fit in a one bedroom space and searching for assistance is better than wondering if we will ever have a house of our own,” Blas said.

Blas tried to figure out how she could provide a better life for her family by seeking assistance from the non-profit organization, Habitat for Humanity of Guam.

Habitat for Humanity of Guam (HFHG) was established in 1996 through the assistance of local residents.

The sole purpose of this organization is to build, finance, and sell simple, decent, and affordable homes to families in need—those who do not have the means to own a home.

As Blas researched on what the Habitat for Humanity organization was about and the good deeds the program provides for families, she worked on getting approval from real estate companies.

Alicia P. Aguon is the

executive director for the Habitat for Humanity of Guam. She has been a member since August of 2011.

With little to no non profit background or experience in the construction field, Alicia reached her position through determination in accomplishing her goals. “‘Approved’ was the most blessed words I heard from Alicia,” Blas said.

What drove Aguon to come full circle into the organization was her first experience helping the rehabilitation of a home.

A struggling family of six living in a household with no electricity, proper beds to sleep on, or basic household necessities, was an eye-opener for Aguon.

“To hear the story of the family of six, coming into their home, and the amount of appreciation they had for the organization reminded me of the reason the organization is here,” Aguon said.

In partnership with Home Depot, Matson, Micronesian Community Development, and other entities that are for profit, the Habitat for Humanity was able to build four houses from

Habitat for Humanity of Guam and several community partners break ground on a recent project. Photo courtesy of Habitat for Humanity of Guam

the years Alicia has been a member.

“We come together and fixed all the substandard conditions these families are living in so we can better enhance their living environment,” Aguon said.

Aguon shares that the best part of working with this organization is that she is able to make a difference and can see those positive changes being made.

Executive Assistant to Aguon, Ashley E. Byrd stated her opinions on working with the organization. Despite landing her position in June of this year, Byrd has already undergone life changing experiences.

“I have always been a social worker so what made me interested was the fact that Hab-

itat wanted to provide homes to people and assist, helping families better themselves and achieve the dream of home ownership,” Byrd stated.

As Aguon’s right hand, Byrd’s tasks included; volunteer coordination, getting applications out to people who want to be partner families, and many more.

“The best feeling is knowing that you are assisting people who want to change their lives for the better,” Byrd stated.

Both Aguon and Byrd believe in the positive approach to life. Despite any hardship one may be facing, you never know what the other person may be going through so they advice

others to live a life of positivity and to support one another.

“I’m grateful to have been approved and that I had a chance to own a home for my family and I. Every paid interest in community hours is a blessing,” Myra Blas stated. Instead of paying with money, Blas and her family contribute to the production of their home by volunteering with the community and being a part of the Habitat for Humanity family.

“The message that I would send to the community and students of the University of Guam is that despite of all the challenges we face, what matters is how we overcome those challenges in life,” Blas said.

Cultural immersion center offers education in arts and history

By Amanda Dedicatoria For Triton’s Call

Founded by Inadahen I Lina’la, a nonprofit organization comprised of artisans and community members, Sagan Kotturan Chamoru (SKC) is a cultural center focused on promoting and perpetuating the Chamorro culture.

It has a partnership with other immersion programs such as Hu-

rao Academy and the Haya Foundation.

“We wanted to create a commune of artists so that we can start teaching the next generation,” said master of ornamentation Julie Quichocho Benavente, who owns and manages the center’s gift shop, Guinahan Chamoru. “Everyone pretty much works out

of their own house and we want to provide instruction that is more than just one-to-one.”

SKC’s acting director Ray Leon Guerrero stated that the center exhibits work and offers education and apprenticeship opportunities from all kinds of fields, including weaving, two-dimensional art, traditional fishing and

hunting, seafaring, farming, medicine, and performing arts.

The artists at the center include Leon Guerrero himself, Julie Quichocho Benavente, James Bamba, Mark Dell’Isola, and more.

The center rests on a beautifully situated property overlooking Ypao Beach and is comprised of eight

houses. Each house has been refurbished to provide a space to house an artist and his or her work.

Visitors also have the option to browse the gift shop and museum, which is full of artifacts from a number of periods of Chamorro history such as hair Continued on page 5

A great turnout for Ceramic Celebration exhibit

Music played in the background, the smell of wine filled the air, and people went on chatting and observing as the opening night for the Ceramic Celebration Plus opened its showcase for the first night.

The exhibit kicked off its showcase at the Isla Center for the Arts on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2016, and lasted until its final day on Friday, Nov. 18, 2016.

Many students and local artists decorated the walls with different types of works such as ink drawings, paintings, digital art, and block prints.

Ceramic pieces and mini sculptures were showcased on columns as some of them served as centerpieces to some of the rooms.

A lot of the art pieces, including the primarily functional ceramic pieces, were available for sale at a very desirable price.

The Ceramic Celebration Plus is an annual fundraising.

The proceeds from the

Functional ceramic pieces and paintings idly wait for admiration during the recent Isla Center for the Arts exhibit.

Photo by Dominic Cawili

sold items help fund programming at the Isla Center of the Arts, which is an auxiliary program in the Division of Communication and Fine Arts.

“Because it is an auxiliary program,” states exhibit coordinator, Dr. Yamashita, “Isla does not receive any appropriate funds from the Government of Guam so we are tasked to raise funds for our operations.”

If you want to support the Isla Center for the Arts and your local artists, you can attend

University of Guam, Triton’s Call, December 2016

By Dominic Cawili Triton’s Call Staff

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Creative Hands: Selected Works by Local Artists.

It is a biennial exhibit that is part of a series of juried exhibits since 1992, and starts Dec. 1, 2016, and stays open until Feb. 3, 2017.

It consists of a variety of media including digital photographs, watercolor and acrylic paintings, ceramic pieces, and mixed media compositions.

Cont’d: Cultural immersion center educates community Continued from page 4 pieces, sling stones, and jewelry.

Running the center has not been easy, however. The organization has faced a number of difficulties regarding its creation and maintenance.

“It’s been hard,” said Leon Guerrero. “It took us over eight years of clearing jungle and

debris for [SKC] to look like it does today. We’re still in the business of sorting things out. We have running water, but no power, so we still have to work on that.”

Around the time of the center’s formation, a business was interested in making the property a resort. Since they were familiar with the area, members of Inadahen I Lina’la requested to convert the land into a

cultural center. Their case went through the Chamorro Land Trust Commission and they were given a 20-year license to operate.

As a way to encourage community involvement, the center has partnered with local high schools to provide students with service learning hours by letting them volunteer to maintain the center’s eightacre grounds. They

have also branched out to the public by involving themselves with events such as the Festival of the Pacific Arts, Micronesian Island Fair, and going out to schools to showcase the artists’ creations.

Although the establishment and management of the center has not been without its difficulties, the people involved with SKC remain optimistic.

“There is a lot of potential here,” Benavente said. “My dream is to see arts in all forms [be displayed] here. I would love to see pottery and blacksmithing be taught here, for example. It really is a beautiful place to have a commune and educate the members of the next generation.

But they have to touch it first and see if it’s for them

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Dive to provide: Spearfishing in Guam

By Cody Dowless Triton’s Call Staff Hobbies and pastimes are all about self-derived joy. Whether it’s skating, bird watching, video gaming, or any number of other leisurely activities people do, the main goal is fun. But while many hobbies can provide this joy, they lack tangible rewards.

Spearfishing can provide a source of exercise, delicious seafood, extra income, and a more intimate relationship with nature, all while promoting conservative practices which benefit the environment and everyone in it.

Things like the freshman 15 phenomenon outline how college students have a tendency to slack off on exercise and gain weight. Spear fishing could be an option for these out of shape individuals who want to turn it around.

Lugging gear to spots accessible only by long walks or swims, carrying a heavy catch back, constantly swimming to stay afloat, and fighting currents all guarantee a spearfishing trip will provide some good exercise.

“Spearfishing works your whole body from your legs, to your lungs, and your arms,” said avid spearfisher Joe Quintanilla. “When we’re in the water, majority of the time we are kicking.”

While this is hard physical activity, it hardly seems so. When you are doing something you like, it rarely ever seems like work.

Seafood is an expensive delicacy in many places and here on island is no exception. However, our location provides us the

Joe Quintanilla and Cody Dowless with the day’s catch.Photo by Cody Dowless

opportunity to go out and catch our own food free of charge, all while having fun doing so.

Wild caught food also provides a healthy alternative to snacks, processed foods, and GMO’s available at most stores.

Often fisherman can even catch more than they can eat. This allows them to share their catch amongst friends and family, or make a bit of extra income which can be extremely beneficial to struggling college students.

“I have never sold fish for money. My father and uncles taught me to give to people who want fish rather than selling it. However, if I were to sell the fish I caught in a good day of diving, I could probably make in the range of $150 to $250,” said Quintanilla.

Spearfishing also provides the opportunity to see and experience things others either can only dream of, or have to pay for. Dolphin watching, sea turtle sightings, swimming with sharks, witness-

ing magnificent coral reefs; all of these I have personally done free of charge while spearfishing.

“With spearfishing, every day is a unique experience. You never know what you might see or what type of fish you will land,” said experienced spearfisher Vince Pangelinan.

While spearfishing holds a bad name with many, it is actually the most conservative and selective method of fishing around with almost zero by-catch.

Fishing methods like nets or hook and line indiscriminately target whatever swims by, but

spearfishing requires the action of seeing a fish, deciding to take it, and executing a shot on the desired fish.

This results in no extra species being harmed or taken.

Intimate interaction with aquatic plants and animals also often provides spearfisher’s a better knowledge of environmental issues.

This can spread awareness and promote actions that help the environment.

Other less noticed benefits can arise out of spearfishing as well.

“Spearfishing builds character. It is a simple lifestyle where you can

meet different people, network, and help each other out,” said Pangelinan.

Spearfishing can have an immense positive impact on someone’s life including exercise, fresh seafood, additional income, environmental conservation, and incredible life experiences. Anyone can do it, and it is as simple as getting some gear, finding a spot, and finding a partner to go with. So if you are looking for something new and exciting give spearfishing a try, and dive to provide.

By Corey Santos For Triton’s Call Manta Rays are one of the most majestic of all ocean creatures, yet despite their ability to captivate humans, very little is known about their behavior.

Julie Hartup, director and founder of Micronesian Conservation Coalition wants to change that.

Julie is a current candidate for a Master’s of Science in Biology. She was the first person to document the gathering of Guam’s mantas to feed on fish eggs when the surgeonfish spawn.

This important research is a current part of Hartup’s master’s thesis at the University of Guam.

The whole mission behind Micronesian Conservation Coalition

is to conserve island habitats and species on Guam and throughout Micronesia while reinforcing the community’s connection to the value of the ocean.

The majority of Guam’s marine biologists have been brought in from off island. Hartup believes that the islands residents should have more of a say in the matters surrounding the status of the ocean.

“As a marine biologist, one of the things that bother me is how often times people from off-island are brought in to be the experts of our waters, and really we should be the experts of our island” Hartup said.

By recruiting the next generation of hopeful marine biologists into the ranks of the MCC’s

marine team, Hartup wants to use the experiences gained through manta research to encourage University of Guam students to get more involved in the scientific community.

“We live on an island, we have limited resources, and we really need to know how we need to manage those,” Hartup said. “We really are lacking students that are going in to marine sciences and we need students to come in to this field and help us manage it.”

William Naden, a biology major at the University of Guam, is one of the students Julie has inspired to join MCC’s cause.

“I was looking to be in an organization with a purpose, and given our current conditions in

the marine ecosystem, MCC is that organization that I believe has a cause and they stand for what should be done” he said. “It’s nice to be a part of something that brings people with that sort of drive and enthusiasm together.”

Being a boat captain, Naden considers himself the “eyes of MCC”, as he is out on the water more than anybody else in the coalition. On a recent boat trip, Will noticed a large grey shape on the starboard side of his boat.

Thinking it was a whale he stopped and realized it was actually a massive whale shark.

He then passed the information on to Hartup who proceeds to monitor the whereabouts of the whale shark.

Naden sees himself as just a representative.

“Just like everybody else we go around and try and let everybody know ocean conservation is something we as a society should be paying more attention to, instead of watching Miley Cyrus shaking her ass on MTV,” he said.

In addition to the Manta Projects, MCC is monitoring the turtle populations of Ulithi Atoll in Yap, and researching the shark populations throughout Guam and Micronesia with the hope of sharing data with local fisherman and resource managers to better understand shark species and activities.

For more information visit MCC’s webpage at http://micronesianconservation.org/.

Opinion: A frank discussion about the university’s current climate

By Tamaaki Gondo Triton’s Call Staff The University of Guam conducted an institutional-wide survey of students, faculty, staff and administrators in April, 2016.

The survey was designed to assess the general attitudes towards the campus climate of the University.

“Climate” refers to university citizens’ overall feelings, morale, the general mood. The survey focused on four areas: perceptions of campus life; satisfaction with services; perceptions of sexual misconduct and willingness to report sexual misconduct; perceptions of UOG leadership, policies, and reporting regarding sexual misconduct incidences.

I will be focusing on the first two.

According to the survey, respondents generally hold positive perceptions regarding campus life at UOG and they feel safe.

However, the survey also showed that they did not feel safe walking alone on campus after dark. In addition, they also did not know how to contact campus security if or when they needed help.

On campus, it is relatively poorly lit at night.

Sitting at a bench on campus during the evening while waiting for class could give an idea how dark the campus really gets.

There are some lights within such areas, but they are off or not in working order. In

regards to contacting campus security, there are information for that, however, only in places I frequent and I know where to look. There is hardly such information to be seen anywhere else.

Also, I have seen such information and it does not grab attention of urgency for whoever is looking for it.

Respondents also expressed dissatisfaction toward certain aspects of the University.

Those aspects surveyed of the least satisfied with are parking, cafeteria/food services, and the bookstore Truthfully, as a student, trying to find parking is an art form.

Sometimes, I have to park on the other end of the campus just to get

to class.

As for the cafeteria/ food services, I used to eat pretty good food there and it was within tight budget.

However, ever since the cafeteria closure, which required the need of food trucks that lasted more than half the semester, selling at prices for product was unrealistic, to include one personal case that the food was under cooked, made me see the same view point like everyone else, horrible.

I do not have much problems with the bookstore, but it closes too early, sometimes lines for checkout is too long, and I feel the textbooks for classes should be sold in another place.

According to UOG President Rober Under-

wood, this survey is a first for the university.

This is a good survey to do annually.

In a way, it does highlight a lot of things that are felt generally by everyone that needs to be addressed. I have high hopes that the survey is done, the university gets better.

Of course, only if the survey is taken seriously by the administration and has taken immediate action to fix unfavorable problems.

Other, than that, we all can wait and see if the survey has truly helped. In time, we will see.

Tamaaki Gondo is a Triton’s Call Staff writer and a UOG senior majoring in communication

7 University of Guam, Triton’s Call, December 2016

Micronesian Conservation fosters awareness of mantas

University of Guam, Triton’s Call, December 2016

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Fudoshin Fitness Club trains Guam’s wrestlers

By Michael Delfin For Triton’s Call Wrestling is known as a tough sport. It is also increasing in popularity as evidenced by the 70 countries that have competed in the sport at the 2016 Olympic Games.

At Fudoshin Fitness Club, a small community-based club located in the village of Yigo, Guam youth athletes train for wrestling year round. They incorporate cardiovascular and weight lifting in their training programs.

Coach Tony Aquino says one of his main goals is to give Guam youth the opportunity to train for higher levels of wrestling competition.

“Our overall mission here at Fudoshin Fitness is to promote amateur wrestling for Guam Youth, so that they can be disciplined at one sport and prepare themselves for higher levels of competition,” Aquino said.

Most high schools on Guam offer wrestling programs to their students, but just like any other sport it lasts for one quarter. “I feel like we are always catching up with other places around the world,” Aquino said. In the US and other places around the world, wrestling programs and other sports provide year round training for their athletes.

“Guam has many quarter athletes. You play football one quarter and then switch disciplines within a few months. At Fudoshin Fitness Club we give them a place where wrestlers can train year round and focus on that specific discipline and become proficient at it,” Aquino said.

Fudoshin Fitness

Wrestlers go through strength and conditioning drills at the Fudoshin Fitness Club in Yigo. Photo by Michael Delfin

Club member, Kaela Aquino, 17, has been wrestling since she was five years old.

She is team captain of the Simon Sanchez High School wrestling team, all-island wrestler and Oceania wrestling gold medalist. She believes that wrestling has helped her in all aspects of her life.

“Once you wrestle, everything else is easy.

I apply that in academics and in life. Wrestling teaches you to work hard and never give up.

That is also a value my dad, Coach Tony Aquino teaches at Fudoshin Fitness Club” Kaela Aquino said.

Fudoshin Fitness Club has drawn in some of Guam’s most accomplished youth athletes, who are all island and Oceania region champions.

Assistant coach Ethan Aguigui, who was an all-island wrestling champion and an Oceania gold medalist, believes this is a reason why Fudoshin Fitness Club is a great place for young athletes to train.

“At Fudoshin Fitness Club we have people

who have been wrestling for most of their lives. We understand proper ways to train and methods to get our wrestlers to the next level,” Aguigui said.

Fudoshin Fitness Club also welcomes people who just want to get a workout in and learn the sport of wrestling.

“Besides promoting wrestling, another goal we have at Fudoshin Fitness is to bring people from around the island to train and be fit together. Wrestling helps with self-confidence and instills pride in what you do. I hope more people come out and join our family,” Aguigui said.

People from all over the community train at Fudoshin Fitness Club.

Their youngest trainee is four years old. They also have people from the military community who train there.

Senior Airmen Nate Irelan trains at Fudoshin Fitness when he is off duty.

“I recently moved to Guam and I’m just glad I found this place. I haven’t wrestled in awhile

so it’s awesome to get some training in as well as help these young kids become better wrestlers,” Irelan said.

Fudoshin is a word that comes from Japanese martial arts.

The meaning of the word is, “immoveable heart” or inner strength.

Fudoshin Fitness club trains their wrestlers to have the strength to never quit in wrestling and in all aspects of life.

Kaela Aquino and Ethan Aguigui are

currently training for the next Olympic Games.

Coach Tony Aquino’s goal is to train for higher levels of competition and more opportunities.

“Guam’s youth has was it takes to compete and wrestle with the best. The kids here are just as strong, talented, and disciplined as they are anywhere else in the world. Here at Fudoshin Fitness we give Guam’s youth a platform to excel and to see their true inner strength.”