The Bulacheros softball team hit another home run this year with their fourth Liberation celebration on July 19 in Kapolei, Hawaii. More than 500 came to feast on red rice, kelaguen, roasted babui and other fiesta favorites, then dance the electric slide before competing in coconut husking and kåmyo grating contests.
Like other July gatherings around the country sponsored by CHamoru groups to commemorate the liberation of Guam by American forces during WWII, the Bulacheros’ event has become so popular that they’ve required more space this year.
“We needed a bigger venue,” emcee Joseph Benavente Queremit said. “People were coming out, so it became really big. We had to get a bigger venue, so DreamHouse Ewa Beach sponsored the venue this year.”
While the majority of their sponsors (Hafa Adai Club, DJ David Catimon, Pars Plumbing, Pars and Brews Golf Lounge, Salty Metal Works, Leche Par, Bula Gunaiya and Maddawg Productions) are based stateside, one brand is a familiar name to those who have grown up on island drinking their libations: Ambros provided the banners proudly announcing the 81st Guam Liberation presented by the Bulacheros.
While the venue’s policies meant that beer and other alcohol were not allowed at this year’s event, drinks were not the main attraction in any case.
Lani Ching, who grew up in Nimitz Hill and graduated from George Washington in 1975, has faithfully attended every Liberation celebration for her CHamoru food fix, despite not knowing anyone else at the gatherings. This year’s favorite bites from the fiesta table: the red rice and pickled papaya.
Sitting under a canopy with her fiesta plate on her lap, she said she appreciated the new venue, saying, “This is better, it’s breezy, there’s a lot of people this time too, more tents and more people.”
At least one person, however, didn’t come for the fiesta table’s treats. “I didn’t know the food was so good otherwise I wouldn’t have eaten lunch (earlier),” said Vincent Lin, founder of Vince Jewelers. The Tamuning resident was visiting Hawaii and came to the gathering with his mother, Linda Lin, to check out the vendors and inquire with the Bulacheros about possibly having a booth next year.
He’s lived on Guam for 47 years, starting from when he attended Tamuning Elementary, Dededo Junior HIgh, and Father Duenas before leaving for Hawaii to help take care of his grandparents. After graduating from McKinley High in Hawaii in 1986, he moved back to the Marianas.
Vincent and Linda Lin
“We know that there are lots of CHamorus in Hawaii — we continue our culture, we are proud of our culture,” Vincent said. “Guam is my home.”
That connection to the island apparently doesn’t fade, no matter the distance or length of time away – which is why the Bulacheros may be looking for yet another bigger venue in the years to come.