UPDATE: The PIBBA Conference has been postponed until 2027. It was decided that, due to the severe damage inflicted by Super Typhoon Sinlaku on the island nations of Chuuk and the islands of Saipan, Tinian, and Rota, it was best to postpone the conference this year to allow our brothers and sisters affected by the storm to focus on recovery and rebuilding efforts as they return to pre-typhoon conditions. As the months progress, PIBBA President Shelten Neth will provide further details regarding the PIBBA International Conference 2027. The organization looks forward to welcoming everyone then and sincerely appreciates the continued support.
PIBBA POHNPEI, FSM
Sponsored by: Pacific Islands Bilingual Bicultural Association (PIBBA) International and Pohnpei 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.
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!
Guam celebrated its 65th Liberation Day with an annual parade down Marine Corps Drive on July 21, 2009. The island marked the day when, on July 21, 1944, U.S. forces landed on the island and began its mission to regain control of the island from the cruel occupation of the Japanese Imperial Army. Biba Guam!
In celebration of Guam's liberation day, former PIBBA International President, Shelten G. Neth, took it upon himself to translate the PIBBA song in his Pohnpeian native language. We are grateful for his contribution. Here is the translation provided by Neth:
Kisinieng ipidohsang paliehsed
Ekehker peneinei dekehn PIBBA kan
Pwe kitail en ehukipene atail wewe kan, pokpene oh sirei
Atail lokaia kan, atail tiak, en wauniki atail dekeh kan,
Iokwe, raan annim, kaselehlia, alii, aloha,
Olomwaay, hafa dei, tuwoh, mogethin, talofa
Ngilen koul en PIBBA peido laud sansal
Kitail miniminpene, kitail wiaki ehu, sohte kemou
Sohte ketiuo
Lowetail kan en kosoia kitail en poakehng emenemen oh pil koarosie
Atail lokaia, atail tiahk, me kitail pwoson, atail sai!
Iokwe, raan annim, kaselehlia, alii, aloha,
Olomwaay, hafa dei, tuwoh, mogethin, talofa
Currently, the PIBBA song, which is located towards the bottom of our website, is now available in the following languages: English, CHamoru, Carolinian, Chuukese, Kosraean, and Pohnpeian. If you would like to assist us in translating the song in other Pacific languages, please contact us at pibba.international@gmail.com We will give you proper credit for your contribution. We'd love to have the song translated in as many languages as possible!
Thank you, Shelten! Un Dangkulo Na Si Yu'os Ma'ase' (Thank you very much)!
I joined PIBBA because of worries that the island cultures and languages are fading away.In addition, the introduction and importation of western life styles are taking over our inherited cultures and languages.
To allow our cultures and languages to decline and eventually disappear would be one of the greatest offenses we can make against our collective heritage of all humanity and ancestors.When we lose the foundation of culture through language we lose our cultural exposure.Our cultures and languages serve as our identity.When we lose a word, we lose the idea it represents, and when we lose the idea, we lose a piece of the puzzle of where we come from and who we are.
Through the collaborative efforts of PIBBA, I remain committed to help preserve the cultures and languages of our Pacific Island entities.
2.How long have you been a member of PIBBA?
I’ve been an official member for three years, but I’ve been a loyal supporter and follower of PIBBA for nearly 20 years.
3.Has PIBBA made an impact in the Pacific Island entities?
Based on my own opinion, in which I am entitled to this loaded question, PIBBA is making some positive impact in the Pacific Island entities but not suffice comparatively to its outflow and disappearance. You heard the presentation from the Kosrae panelist and the local chapter of Kosrae during the last day, that they lost their culture and language in their entirety 201 years ago. The attempt to restore is challenging, but they will not surrender and retreat, because they have realized the great importance of cultures and languages for us, the islanders that were born and raised with them.
4. Why should others join PIBBA?
Others should join PIBBA, because our only God-given identity is our own cultures and languages that must be preserved, avoid being lost, and promoted. This tells the world who we are and what we are. We can try all we can to be Americans, but cannot because we are who we are.
Behind the words and customs we speak, there are meanings, ideas, and feelings accumulated by our ancestors for thousands of years.Every object seen or made, every phenomenon, relationship, or idea, everything that meant anything from time immemorial became recorded in languages as they evolved.No language will ever be better suited to a particular place or a particular culture than the one language that was created exactly as a reflection of that place and that culture over time.So in any particular part of the Pacific, we should think of our language not as a collection of words, but as a living repository of literally everything that was ever experienced by our ancestors, everything that existed in our island, touched our people, and shaped our lives and worldwide.
PIBBA aims is to bring the Pacific Island entities together to promote cultural and language activities by disseminating information, involving communities, and encouraging quality education programs through the western Pacific.Therefore, I applaud the organization’s mission and will support its goals.
In light of this, we must remember that the essence of language is joined together by culture that we see or observe in our daily experiences at home and migrated into the wider Pacific Islands community.If we do not preserve our cultures and languages, the future generations will lose part of their identity.They will look at the remains of meeting houses and canoes in the museums, listen to our songs and stories on audio recordings, look at the moon rising over the lagoon and wonder why they feel nothing.They will wonder when their connection with the ancestors was cut off, when did they become the same as everyone else, and when did this world become so boring and monotonous.They might feel sad about it, but they will lack the words to express it.
Join PIBBA, so that we can strengthen the organization’s mission of preserving our islands’ cultures and languages, because together, we can make a world of difference!
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, Gover
nor 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.
The 28th Annual Pacific Islands Bilingual Bicultural Association (PIBBA) Conference was a success! The conference theme, “Invigorating Languages and Cultures of the Pacific” was highlighted in each of the conference days from June 22-25, 2009. Each day featured the gathering of everyone singing the PIBBA song, which includes all the languages of the region, such as the following chorus: “Iokwe, Raan Annim, Kaselehlia, Alii, Aloha, Olomwaay, Hafa Dei, Tuwoh, Mogethin, Talofa.”
Among the entities that attended the conference are Republic of the Marshall Islands, Republic of Palau, Chuuk, CNMI, Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Guam. The mission of PIBBA is to bring these entities together to promote cultural and language activities by disseminating information, involving communities, and encouraging quality education programs through the western Pacific.
The first night of the PIBBA Conference was held at the Guam Marriott Resort and included the call of the Kulu conducted by Ronald Laguana, GPSS Chamoru Studies Division Administrator; Parade of Flags by each delegation; National Anthem; Guam Hymn; Fanohge CHamoru; I Inefresi; traditional chant; Invocation & Opening Remarks by PIBBA International President Shelten Neth; presentation of Legislative Resolution; dinner; and Keynote Speech by Dr. Robert Underwood, President of the University of Guam and the first PIBBA President.
The second and third days of the PIBBA Conference were held at the University of Guam, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences buildings. The second day featured speaker/storyteller, Silvina Charfauros-Cruz Taumomoa, followed by various cultural and educational /language workshops.
The third day featured a panel discussion with the founding PIBBA Officers, namely Dr. Robert Underwood, Masa-Aki Emesiochl, and Carmen Taimanao. The Hurao Academy cultural dance group performed, which was followed by a special awards ceremony for the Indigenous Teacher of the Year and Pioneer of the Year for each of the entities. This was conducted by Dr. Jose Q. Cruz, Chairperson for the awards and PIBBA International Historian. Additional cultural and educational/language workshops were conducted, and the day ended with a silent auction of cultural arts, crafts, and more.
The final day of the conference was held at the Merlyn G. Cook School & Malesso Pier Park at the southern end of the island. It featured the traditional Chamorro cooking - Chinahan Ceremony of baking food in an earthen (underground) oven that was three-and-a-half deep, and one used by ancient Chamorros and their descendents until nearly the middle of the 20th century. Chants and prayers were sung as breadfruit, sweet potatoes, taro, bananas, mahi mahi, tuna, parrot fish, and other kinds of fish were placed on top of a thousand pounds of heated lava rocks & logs covered by coconut and banana leaves that burned to cook the food. Mark Benny Mendiola and Tony Ramirez, PIBBA steering committee members led the way for the Chinahan Ceremony. Additional cultural entertainment and activities took place, including the historic Malesso’ tour, Cocos Island boat ride, CHamoru games, dancing, weaving, and singing. A special panel of speakers from each of the entities also spoke to discuss the PIBBA goals of promoting language and culture. The PIBBA International Business Meeting was later conducted, and the new PIBBA officers were elected. Afterward, the special Chinahan dinner took place, followed by presentations and performances by each entity. The closing remarks were given by incoming PIBBA President and PIBBA Conference Co-chairperson, Rosa Salas Palomo.
Deep gratitude goes out to all PIBBA Conference steering committee members, and all the entities that joined us to make the 28th Anuual PIBBA Conference a memorable event that will always be remembered! Un Dangkulo Na Si Yu’os Ma’ase’! Kinissow! Kommol! Mesulang! Kalahngan! Kammagar!
Click on the form above to download the PIBBA International membership form. Please note that you will have to fill out both forms. The second form is for you to keep as a receipt. Membership will become official once payment is received in full by the PIBBA Treasurer. For more information, contact Rosa Salas Palomo at kailee.rosapalomo@hotmail.com, pibba.international@gmail.com.
Relative to recognizing June 22nd to the 25th of June, 2009 as the 28th Annual Pacific Islands Bilingual-Bicultural Association (PIBBA) International Conference and in recognizing the 28th Annual PIBBA International Conference Steering Committee, PIBBA, and PIBBA Local Chapter officers and members in promoting biligualism and biculturalism in the Pacific, particularly indigenous languages and cultures in the Micronesian region.
