Felis Pasgua ~ Feliz Navidad

May the Lord richly bless you with a memorable Christmas to cherish with family and friends. Felis Pasgua! Feliz Navidad! Have a blessed Christmas filled much love, joy, peace, and happiness!

Condolences for Jose Aguon Concepcion

The PIBBA family extends its deepest condolences and sympathies to the family of Jose Aguon Concepcion, our PIBBA friend and father of PIBBA member Terry Flores. He left this earth on September 25, 2009 in the state of Hawaii and was buried in Sa'ipan on October 13, 2009. He will always be remembered. God Bless him and his family. May he rest in peace.

PIBBA Conference to be hosted in the RMI

For information on the 29th Annual International PIBBA Conference, please read the details below.

Image source: http://www.rmiembassyus.org/

29th Annual International
PIBBA Conference


KUBWIJ BUNI EO
REVIVING THE LANGUAGES AND CULTURES OF THE PACIFIC

Tuesday-Friday, June 22-25, 2010
Marshall Islands High School

Sponsored by:
Pacific Islands Bilingual Bicultural Association (PIBBA) International and RMI Chapter

The PIBBA Conference is an annual event in which Western Pacific educators are provided with opportunities for professional growth and cultural enrichment. This year's conference offers a wonderful selection of traditional, innovative, and practical workshops, presented by creative and imaginative educators and cultural leaders from the Pacific islands.

PIBBA Conference Chairs:

Cheta N. Anien, President-Elect, PIBBA International
Emman Rokjan, President, PIBBA RMI Chapter

For information, contact Cheta N. Anien at (692) 625-5261/5262 or e-mail chetaanien@rmimoe.net or pibba.international@gmail.com

SNAPSHOTS FROM THE 28TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL PIBBA CONFERENCE HELD IN GUAM

Pictured above: Proclamation signing for the 28th Annual International PIBBA Conference at the Governor's Conference Room. L-R front row seated: Carmen Weaver, Rosa Salas Palomo, Lt. Governor Mike Cruz, Governor Felix Camacho, and Dr. Jose Q. Cruz. Back row L-R: Teresita Flores, Maria Cruz, Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, Carol Cepeda, Marife Fernandez, Mye Ganan Flores, Risa Salas Miguel, Zander Refilong, Joseph Mafnas, and Antonia Salas.

Pictured above: The 30th Guam Legislature presented a legislative resolution commending the celebration of the 28th Annual International PIBBA Conference on June 22, 2009 at the Guam Marriott Resort and Spa. Pictured above L-R: Dr. Robert Underwood, UOG President and first PIBBA President; Masa-Aki Emesiochl, first PIBBA President-Elect; Juanita Manibusan, PIBBA Conference Co-Chair & 2008-2009 President of PIBBA Guam Chapter; Rosa Salas Palomo, PIBBA Conference Co-Chair & 2008-2009 PIBBA International President-Elect; Senator Tina Muna-Barnes; Frances Sablan, CNMI head delegation; Marilyn Salas, 2008-2009 PIBBA International Secretary; Alister Tolenoa, Kosrae head delegation; and Shelten Neth, 2008-2009 PIBBA International President.

Pictured above L-R: Zander Refilong, PIBBA steering committee member; Lt. Governor Bill Tosie of Kosrae; PIBBA President Shelten Neth; and Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, PIBBA steering committee member.

Pictured above L-R: Teresita Flores, PIBBA steering committee member; Joe Mafnas, PIBBA steering committee member; Frances Sablan, PIBBA secretary; Alister Tolenoa, Kosrae delegation; and Carmen Weaver, PIBBA steering committee member.

Pacific Educator Fall 2009 Issue

The Fall 2009 issue of Pacific Educator is now available via PDF download at http://www.prel.org/products/pacific-educator.aspx As mentioned in PREL's announcement, the "Pacific Educator features articles focusing on the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) legislation, classroom applications for teachers, and PREL program updates from throughout the U.S.-affiliated Pacific and continental United States."

In particular, this issue includes topics dealing with standards for Guam and FSM, professional practice in Palau, preparing principals in the Pacific, Pohnpei's digital library training, social entrepreneurship & the arts, special tributes to Drs. Tom Barlow and Rita Inos, and Yap's transitional year of grade 5! Enjoy!

Condolences for Orfa Camacho Crisostomo Salas

The PIBBA family extends its deepest sympathies and condolences to the family of Orfa Camacho Crisostomo "Orfan Chele" Salas, mother of Drs. Marilyn Salas and Arlene Diaz, our PIBBA familia and former PIBBA International Officers. Orfan Chele formerly of Hagatna, resided in Agana Heights and was called to her eternal rest on November 4, 2009 at the age of 84. She will always be remembered. God Bless her and her family. May she rest in peace.

Funeral services will take place on Friday, November 13 at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church in Agana Heights, beginning at 9:00 a.m. Mass will start at 1:00 p.m. Interment service will be held at 2:30 p.m. at the Guam Veteran's Cemetery in Piti.

Condolences for Tsunami Victims in American Samoa

The PIBBA family will continue to pray and remember all of our PIBBA families and friends who lost their lives in the tsunami tragedy in American Samoa. We also extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to the families of our PIBBA members who did not survive the disaster.The tsunami, which was triggered by an undersea earthquake, killed at least 170 people. God Bless you all, and may you rest in peace always.

Condolences for Dr. Jose Lujan Chong

The PIBBA family extends its deepest condolences and sympathies to the family of Dr. Jose Lujan Chong, our PIBBA friend and relative of Past-PIBBA International President, Shelten G. Neth, and PIBBA International Secretary, Frances Sablan. He is also the father-in-law of FSM Congressman, Dion G. Neth, who is a great supporter of PIBBA. He will always be remembered. God Bless him and his family. May he rest in peace.

Condolences for Jose Cascayan Respicio

The PIBBA family extends its deepest condolences and sympathies to the family of Jose Cascayan Respicio, our PIBBA friend and stepfather of PIBBA Guam President, Juanita Manibusan-Manglona. He left this earth on Sept. 6, 2009, but he will always be remembered. God Bless him and his family. May he rest in peace.

PIBBA International Donation

Pictured above: PIBBA International donated a canopy gift set to the Mayor of Malesso, Ernest Chargualaf, on Saturday, September 12, 2009 at the Merlyn Cook School. The canopy will be used for various activities held in the village. PIBBA International donated the canopy set in gratitude to Mayor Chargualaf who graciously allowed the association to host its last day of the PIBBA Conference at the Merlyn Cook School in Malesso on June 25, 2009. Pictured L-R front row: Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, PIBBA International conference steering committee member; Julia Shore, PIBBA member; Mye Ganan-Flores, PIBBA International conference steering committee member; and Joseph Mafnas, PIBBA International conference steering committee member. Second row L-R: Antonia Salas, PIBBA Guam Chapter Historian; Mayor Chargualaf; Dr. Jose Q. Cruz, PIBBA International Historian; Teresita Flores, PIBBA International conference steering committee member; and Zander Refilong; PIBBA International conference steering committee member. Back row L-R: Carmen Weaver, PIBBA International conference steering committee member and Dr. Greg Tainatongo, PIBBA International conference steering committee member. Not pictured are PIBBA International President Rosa Salas Palomo; and PIBBA International conference steering committee members Maria Agulto, Maria Cruz, Toni Ramirez, Marie Castro, Carol Cepeda, Peter Onedera, Juanita Manibusan-Manglona, Julie Ulloa-Heath, Jovie Taimanao, Barbara Manibusan, Gene Dydasco, Faye Kaible, Marife Fernandez, and Risa Salas Miguel.

HAPPY LABOR DAY!

Pictured above: Steering committee members of the Pacific Islands Bilingual Bicultural Association (PIBBA) are hard at work during the 28th Annual International PIBBA Conference held June 22-25, 2009 at the University of Guam, Guam Marriott Resort, and Merlyn Cook School in Malesso. The conference theme was “Invigorating Languages and Cultures of the Pacific.”


Hafa Adai, and Happy Labor Day weekend! Hopefully, you’ll be able to enjoy the Labor Day holiday, since there’s no doubt that many of us have exerted much effort to contribute to the betterment of our island. Our genuine commitment to work hard and wisely should not go unnoticed. Kudos to all of you who sincerely strive to make a difference!

An Interview with PIBBA International President-Elect Cheta Anien

1. What made you join PIBBA?

When I got my job as a Marshallese Language Arts Specialist, PIBBA started to grow in my mind bit by bit. I got involved with PIBBA for the very first time when I went to Kosrae for the 8th Annual PIBBA Conference way back in mid 1988. At this time, Dr. Robert Underwood was the keynote speaker and his speech was so inspiring it got me hooked, and I love my job to this day.


2. How long have you been a member of PIBBA?

I’ve been a member of PIBBA for 21 years, and I feel great for this wonderful opportunity!


3. Has PIBBA made an impact in the Pacific island entities?

I am not sure about the rest of the neighboring entities, but I want to share that RMI started to see the importance of preserving its own culture and language through the same vision and mission shared by PIBBA. To this day, the invigoration of the Marshallese culture and language has been done through many local festivities.


4. Why should others join PIBBA?

I think others should join PIBBA if they want to keep their cultures and languages alive and strong. We, the Pacific people, are seen as special and very unique people in the way we do things differently such as birthday celebrations, burial ceremonies, first born child, respect for the elderly, etc. We need to be together as strong PIBBA families to make PIBBA grow and grow for the sake of our future generations, and they will do likewise.

An Interview with PIBBA CNMI Head Delegation Frances Sablan

1. What made you join PIBBA?

I joined PIBBA initially because of our NMI local members. After participating in the PIBBA Conference in Kosrae in 1999 and experiencing the camaraderie of the PIBBA International members and officers, and the hosting entity, I remained a loyal member.

2. How long have you been a member of PIBBA?

I have been an active member of PIBBA since 1999.

3. Has PIBBA made an impact in the Pacific Island entities?

Yes, through the networking and sharing of best practices, etc.

4. Why should others join PIBBA?

Others should join PIBBA for the reasons I’ve stated in my earlier responses.

5. Are there any other thoughts you wish to share regarding PIBBA?

PIBBA is a very worthwhile organization that not only promotes our cultures and languages, but also friendship and camaraderie. I can now say that I am not just a daughter of the Marianas, but also of Micronesia and the Pacific in general.

Condolences for Past PIBBA President Dr. Rita Hocog Inos

The PIBBA family extends its deepest condolences and sympathies to the family of our PIBBA friend and past president of PIBBA, Dr. Rita Hocog Inos. God Bless her and her family. May she rest in peace.




Dr. Rita Hocog Inos



Funeral Services:
Memorial Service for Saipan: Saturday 7:30am, followed by Memorial Mass at 11:00am.
Between 7:30am & 10:30 last respects and viewing & series of tributes & resolution presentions and 10:30am Eulogy , acknowledgment & Mass.

Remains will be transported to Rota Sat. afternoon at 2:30pm. Tues. morning at 7:30am viewing and last respects at San Francisco de Borja Church. Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00am. Burial follows immediately at San Jose Cemetary, Rota.

Contact person: Angel S. Hocog, email: angelshocog@yahoo.com, Tel. 483-4164, P.O Bx 5870 CHRB, Saipan, MP 96950, Mwaar Mwaar Ave, Dandan, Saipan

Condolences for PIBBA Family Member Masa-Aki Emesiochl

The PIBBA family extends its deepest condolences and sympathies to Masa-Aki Emesiochl and his family on the passing away of their beloved father. We will keep them in our prayers. God bless you all.

An Interview with PIBBA International Historian Dr. Jose Q. Cruz

1. What made you join PIBBA?

I joined PIBBA because of my commitment to expanding my knowledge of the languages and culture of Guam, the Marianas, and Micronesia. PIBBA’s annual conference has not only included reading and discussion knowledge of the language and culture of the region, but has immersed us into each other’s languages and cultures, as we interact in the islands per se.

2. How long have you been a member of PIBBA?

I have been a member of PIBBA since 1989.

3. Has PIBBA made an impact in the Pacific Island entities?

I believe it has made an impact first by the PIBBA song and subsequently the personal knowledge of persons in the region who share the same concern of bilingualism and biculturalism. It has not been spectacular but the evidence of continuing to exist outside of direct grants to most of our entities is extraordinary. Incorporating PIBBA into greater consciousness and policy directives is an uphill battle. Globalization has added to the dimension of our existence if not confirm the need for greater consciousness of our Pacific existence in a global if not macro-world.

4. Why should others join PIBBA?

Others should join PIBBA for what one can give or add to the “Family of PIBBA!”  During this 2009 PIBBA Conference I not only became more aware of the power of peoples when joining together for a task, but also my own personal learning about my CHamorru language and culture. A discussion of this from one’s language and culture may need to be opened up altogether!