5 July 2013 - The Philippine Consulate General attended the opening of a Special Exhibit on Camp Roxas held at the Hall of Governors in Adelup, Agana at 10:30 AM on June 24.
The Special Exhibit on Camp Roxas was organized by the Department of Chamorro Affairs, the Guam Museum, the Guam Museum Foundation, and the Guam Council on the Arts and Humanities Agency, with the support from the Guam Humanities Council and the Camp Roxas Film Project, in commemoration of the Philippine Independence Month this June 2013.
Mr. Joseph Artero-Cameron, President of the Department of Chamorro Affairs, served as master of ceremonies and welcomed the guests, which included officials from the government of Guam and the above-mentioned institutions, the Philippine Consulate General as well as the Filipino Community of Guam (FCG).
Guam Acting Governor Raymond S. Tenorio delivered the keynote address. He commended the Department of Chamorro Affairs for putting up this exhibit and highlighted the important contribution of the Filipinos in the Guam reconstruction after World War II (WWII) and in the present development of the island of Guam.
Consul General Bayani V. Mangibin, on the other hand, gave a message on behalf of the Philippine Consulate General and conveyed appreciation to the Department of Chamorro Affairs and its co-sponsors for organizing the special exhibit as part of the commemoration of the 115th anniversary of the Philippine Independence. He pointed out that there is indeed special links between the peoples of the Philippines when it comes to history and that the post-World War II coming of the Ilonggos to Guam and the Camp Roxas story highlights the important contribution of the Filipinos to Guam.
Dr. Kimberly Kihleng, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Guam Humanities Council, also gave some remarks on behalf of the Council.
Ms. Bernie Provido Schumann, Camp Roxas Film Producer, spoke and explained about the Camp Roxas Film Project and also introduced the former residents and descendants of Camp Roxas present during the opening program.
Likewise, a significant part of the program was the remarks of Mr. Johnny Luces, former Camp Roxas resident and one of the surviving Ilonggos who were recruited after WWII, who related some of his experiences when he first came to Guam.
The main highlight of the event was the screening of the 20-minute documentary film titled “Under the American Sun” produced by Ms. Bernie Provido Schumann, daughter of Loreto Parenas Provido who was one of the Ilonggos recruited for the reconstruction of Guam after the World War II, and directed by Mr. Burt Sardoma, Jr., also a Camp Roxas descendant.
The film traces the epic post-World War II migration of Filipinos laborers to Guam. As explained in the brief description of the film: “The U.S. military recruited skilled laborers and professionals to help rebuild an island devastated by war, resulting in the initial 1946 influx of Filipinos to Guam. The recruitment process lasted for two decades, resulting in a migration of over 10,000 Filipino men and women to Guam. Under the American Sun tells the story of Filipino immigrants to Guam, the Ilonggos from Iloilo Province, who arrived in 1946 at Camp Roxas in Agat, Guam. Their arrival and settlement laid the foundation for four generations of Ilonggos to become Filipino-Americans and part of the Guam community.”
The special exhibit showcases the history of Camp Roxas, formerly located in Agat, which contributed to rebuilding Guam following World War II and reflects the important role of Camp Roxas in helping rebuild Guam after World War II.
The exhibit also features a photographic exhibition titled “A Journey Home: Filipino American History in Guam” by the Guam Humanities Council, Camp Roxas Film Project titled “Under the American Sun”, (Work in progress, TRT 20 min), and a display of artifacts such as newsletters, religious items, personal utensils, etc. from former Camp Roxas residents.
The exhibit at Adelup will be until July 10, 2013. END