Condolences


Vera Flores Dela Cruz

The PIBBA family extends its deepest condolences and sympathies to the family of PIBBA member Vera Flores Dela Cruz.  May Vera's family members be comforted with loving memories.  She will always be remembered. God Bless her and her family.  May she rest in peace. 🙏

PIBBA CONFERENCE TO BE HOSTED FSM


The PIBBA Conference has been POSTPONED.

FSM will host the PIBBA Conference - TBA.



39th Annual International PIBBA Conference


POSTPONED until June 2023

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.

Mark your calendar for the 39th Annual International PIBBA Conference in Pohnpei! Stay tuned for more details!


PIBBA Monthly Meeting

 FEBRUARY 2022 MEETING SNAPSHOT





Snapshots of the 38th Annual International PIBBA Conference in Koror, Palau!


Snapshots of the 38th Annual International PIBBA Conference in Palau!














PIBBA 2017 Conference

PIBBA 2017 Conference Video

Click on the video below to view the 36th Annual International PIBBA Conference hosted in Pohnpei

Click on the video to hear the PIBBA Song!

Click on the video to hear the PIBBA Song!

Tuesday 25 December 2012

Merry Christmas!



Merry Christmas from around the Pacific!

~Felis Pasgua (Chamorro)
~Maligayan Pasko (Tagalog)
~Peren en Krismas (Pohnpeian)
~Monono ilo raaneoan Nejin (Marshallese)
~Falang e Baynag (Yapese)
~Tok Tapeng (Kosraean)
~Ungil Kurismas (Palauan)
~Pwapwan Kirisimas (Chuukese)
~Mele Kalikimaka (Hawaiian)
~Ameseighil ubwutiiwel Layi Luugh me raagh fee (Carolinian)

Saturday 3 November 2012

PIBBA Guam Chapter Plans for 32nd PIBBA Conference

The PIBBA Guam Chapter officers and members met today, November 3, 2012, to discuss the Constitution and By-Laws, as well as to plan for PIBBA's 32nd Annual International Conference in Guam. They finalized that the conference will be held July 19-21, 2013. Further information will be discussed at their next meeting.

Pictured below are PIBBA Guam Chapter officers and members hard at work.

 

Saturday 20 October 2012

UOG Culture and Learning Program

The University of Guam's Enrollment & Student Services in collaboration with the School of Education and Human Resources Office held a meaningful Culture & Learning Forum on October 19, 2012 with focus on "enriching and contextualizing teaching and learning in Pacific Island settings to improve achievement."

Participants were enlightened by various cultural speeches. Among a few of the highlights are the following:

"I have my own story, my own identity, and I need to accept that," said Dr. Isebong Asang, Palau Community College. Asang said that it's essential to have "knowledge, history and truth specific to Palau." MESULANG, Dr. Asang, for the inspirational speech!

Dr. Nicholas Goetzfridt shared that we must genuinely focus on ethnomathematics, the language of numbers. He said that it "requires different people around the world, and in this case the Pacific, to adapt (relevant mathemathetics)."

Traditional ethnomathematics in the Pacific involve "navigators of the past, navigators of the present, and values to live on," Goetzfridt said. He stressed the traditional ideas of patterns and that if the indigenous mathematics is unable to be carried out, it is done through imperial colonial means.

Our traditional mathematics need to be preserved in education, because it is the essence of communal identity. In fact, the UH Project MACIMISE is doing research to recover mathematical ideas and curriculum ideas to be used in schools. This will allow us to imagine with purpose and resolve for our own ethnomathematical identity. To get an insight of the experience on one of the UH candidates' first phase of Project MACIMISE, visit http://projectmacimise-rivera.blogspot.com.

Dr. Frankie Santos Laanan, SOE Dean focused on "Sieving Through Asian and Pacific Island Data on Culture Variation and Achievement." He mentioned about the importance of STEM. He further shared videos and websites to provide explicit, yet meaningful visuals pertaining to its relevance. Check out Pathway2.stemdegree.org for more information.

Students in the videos shared powerful messages, such as the following: "I'm just as good as anyone else in college." Another student said, "I deserve to be here. I work just as hard as anyone here."
The CARE was also highlighted and its relevance in research regarding Asian Americans, risk factors of AAPI students, and other critical areas of research. Laanan also presented statistics and terminologies, such as MSI-Minority serving institution and AANAPSI-Asian Americans Native Americans Pacific Islanders.

Laanan expressed the need to expand knowledge, broaden awareness, and build institutional capacity. He shared DOE and UOG data to stress the critical needs. He mentioned that of the 31,000 students in DOE, there is a high ESL population. This entails that we are faced with the challenge to meet the unique needs of ELLs.

Unfortunately, Guam's latest SAT10 performance data shows low scores. This makes us question what's happening in these areas. "What are we going to do about it? How do we serve these students? What do we do to ensure that they understand?" Laanan asked.

He presented student demographics, trends, enrollment by ethnicity, gender, and status. He also shared that for the UOG English placement, 2/3 placed in developmental English (EN085 and EN100).
Laanan further shared retention and graduation tracking by program statistics, so that we can reflect and analyze the data. He then showed a Robert Feldman video that mentioned we need to take action, so that we don't endanger college student success. We need to provide opportunities for first year experiences before college students arrive on campus.

Dr. Michael Bevacqua focused on decolonization. He said that Guam is a colony and shared the expansive definition of decolonization. He stated that some people think that "if he (colonial power) ever leaves, all the things disappear" or "so long as the colonizer is in power, you are out of luck."
He questioned, "What is the role the university should take in regards to this situation?" He stressed that we should "look more regional for things," because it's important that we tap on our own resources that are within reach.

UOG President, Dr. Robert Underwood, also highlighted the importance of culture and education. "Education is one through which cultural knowledge is formulated," he said.

Underwood said, "It takes the strength of soul for a child to struggle, to travel, to succeed." He reminded participants to make a difference. "As you navigate, you must help them learn," he said.
He highlighted culture as a process and that we must understand where those places are. Underwood further questioned, "What do we do about our students? What do we know about our students? Did we do anything about it (data performance)?"

Enjoy the following snapshots taken during the forum!

Dr. Robert Underwood, UOG President, says his speech on culture and learning.

Dr. Isebong Asang, Palau Community College Professor, conducts her presentation titled, "Palauan Epistemology: Implications on Teaching & Learning."

Dr. Frankie Santos Laanan, SOE Dean, conducts his presentation titled, "Sieving Through Asian and Pacific Island Data on Culture Variation and Achievement."

Dr. Michael Lujan Bevacqua conducts his presentation titled, "Decolonization at the University of Guam."

Larry Gamboa, UOG Chief Human Resources Officer, welcomes the participants of the Culture & Learning Forum.

Dr. Nicholas Goetzfridt conducts his presentation titled, "Ethnomathematics in Micronesia."

Saturday 13 October 2012

Sunday 8 July 2012

31st Annual International PIBBA Conference Snapshots


Pohnpei cultural presentation during the PIBBA Conference


PIBBA morning gathering prior to the Keynote speech

L-R: Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, Elcid Joseph, Rickson Higgins, and Dr. Jose Q. Cruz.

L-R: Dr. Jose Q. Cruz, Zander Refilong, Senator Shelten G. Neth, and Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera.

PIBBA participants gear up for the conference

Dr. David Hough, PIBBA Keynote Speaker

PIBBA participants gather together after the evening keynote speech by Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera.

Congratulations newly-elected PIBBA International Officers! Front row L-R: Dr. Jose Q. Cruz, Historian; Rosa Salas Palomo, Treasure; and Shelten G. Neth, Immediate Past President. Back row L-R: Illuminanda "Lumi" Bermudes, Secretary; Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, Webmaster; and Masa-Aki Emesiochl, President-Elect.

Rosario family gathering with Dr. Rivera, Clara Rosario, and Dr. Greg Tainatongo.

Pohnpei passes the key to Guam for PIBBA's next Conference in 2013. L-R: Dr. Jose Q. Cruz and Joseph Villazon, Director of Pohnpei Department of Education.

Thursday 19 April 2012

Condolences for Angustia Baza Tainatongo Rivera

 
The PIBBA family extends its deepest condolences and sympathies to the family of Angustia Baza Tainatongo Rivera, our PIBBA friend and sister of PIBBA Guam Chapter and International Member, Dr. Gregorio "Greg" Tainatongo and mother of longtime PIBBA supporter and GDOE educator, Eloise "El" Rivera Sanchez. "Auntie Uta/Angie" left this earth on April 15, 2012. She was 77. She will always be remembered. God Bless her and her family. May she rest in peace.

Rosary is being said at 6:00 p.m. at San Juan Bautista Catholic Church, Ordot. Last respects will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on April 28, 2012 at San Juan Bautista Church. Mass will be held at 1:00 p.m. and interment will follow at the Guam Memorial Park, Leyang Barrigada.

Intermediate CHamoru Class Story Hour a Success!

PIBBA Guam Chapter President, Rosa Salas Palomo, and her CM202 Intermediate CHamoru students culminated CHamoru month at the Hagatna Public Library with cultural stories/legends, arts, crafts, and songs! The children were captivated by the cultural presentations. Enjoy the following group picture taken during this memorable event!

Sunday 25 March 2012

PIBBA Story Hour and Cultural Presentations a Success!

The PIBBA Guam Chapter continued its service in celebration of CHamoru Month at the Hagatna Public Library's Saturday Story Hour on March 24, 2012 with coconut weaving conducted by Dr. Greg Tainatongo & grandchildren, stories by Bobbie Benavente & Liz Langas, chants by Toni Salas & Lois Gumataotao, cultural activities by Zan Refilong & Professor Palomo. The PIBBA Guam Chapter also conducted cultural presentations at the Navy Exchange with Professor Palomo's White Lady story, Malia Ramirez's Puntan & Fu'una legend/song/dance, and Dr. Rivera's Guahan/Mangga/Flores poem presentations, with the assistance of Mye Ganan-Flores and Bobbie Manibusan. What a busy, yet rewarding cultural day! BIBA PIBBA! BIBA MES CHAMORU! Enjoy the following snapshots taken during this culture-packed day!