Fanachu! Podcast

Send us a text

During the month of July, Chamorus reflect most heavily on their past, in particular the experiences of our elders who endured the Japanese occupation of Guam in World War II. This is the third episode of a series focusing on Chamoru war survivor stories hosted by Michael Lujan Bevacqua, that tries to tell stories untold before and also dive deeper into the experiences, the suffering and also the courage and endurance of Chamorus during a brutal time in their history. 

This episode will focus on the following stories:
Tun Pedro Guerrero Cruz and the defense of the Plaza de España
Dr. Rosa Roberto Carter 
Tun Jesus Camacho Babauta
The Fena Cave Massacres, stories from different survivors
A wartime Taotaomo’na story from Malesso’

This episode was originally aired live on July 26, 2023 but was re-recorded due to audio problems in the original live recording.

Support the show

Send us a text

This episode of Fanachu originally aired on Facebook on April 8, 2020 just a few weeks into the first COVID-19 lockdown on Guam. In that time of crisis, the divisions on island between civilian and military or federal and territorial relations became increasingly apparent, whether in terms of restrictions on commissary privileges for locals, the quarantining of the USS Theodore Roosevelt on Guam after a coronavirus outbreak happened onboard and overall the lack of transparency from the US Department of Defense. All of these issues can help us better understand Guam's current and continuing colonial political status. 

This episode featured as guests representatives from the group I Hagan Famalao'an Guåhan: Victoria-Lola Leon Guerrero, Rosario Perez and Heather Garrido. It was hosted by Michael Lujan Bevacqua and produced by Lawrence "Siguenzama" Lizama. 

Support the show

Send us a text

For this 2020 episode of Fanachu! we headed to Palau to learn from Tutii Chilton, President of the non-profit LIUS on his island's initial response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. With Palau as an independent country, how did their response to the global crisis differ from Guam's, which remains an non-self-governing territory?

This episode went live on April 22, 2020 on Facebook and featured as guests Tutii Chilton and Erin Mitchell. It was hosted by Michael Lujan Bevacqua. 

Support the show

Send us a text

Episode premiered in 2020, in response to debate and backlash on Twitter about the authenticity of contemporary Chamoru dance. 

Pim Limtiaco, Fu'una Sanz and Luke Tedtaotao, all cultural dancers and musicians gathered for this episode of Fanachu to address the criticism of something that they have dedicated their lives to promoting. Is Chamoru dance just made up? Or is it stolen? Is there such a thing as authentic Chamoru dance or culture? They discuss what it means to practice Chamoru dance, the meaning behind their dances, and their commitment to not only the culture but also the famagu'on that find comfort in these practices. 

This episode was filmed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and prior to it being announced that FESTPAC 2020 was being postponed due to the pandemic. It premiered on May 12, 2020 and was produced by Lawrence "Siguenzama" Lizama and hosted by Pim Limtiaco. 

Support the show

Send us a text

This 2020 episode of Fanachu featured a collective of community members called Para Todus Hit. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, when many were fired or put on furlough and the island was struggling economic, this collective was formed to advocate for rent and mortgage freezes, and also organized a diaper and mutual aid drive for those most affected. 

This episode premiered on Facebook on May 27, 2020 and featured Machålek Sindålu and Kaitlin MaManus as guests. It was produced by Lawrence "Siguenzama" Lizama and hosted by Michael Lujan Bevacqua. 

Support the show

Send us a text

For this special 2020 episode of Fanachu!, the Godfather and founder of the podcast Dr. Manny Cruz hosted a virtual discussion with members of the Fanohge Coalition, to share more about Guåhan's struggle for decolonization and the intersections between anti-racist and liberation movements around the world. 

This episode featured as guests: Samantha Barnett (Independent Guåhan), Maria Sol Dueñas Marques (I Hagan Famalao'an Guåhan), Josephine Ong (Filipinos for Guåhan), and Starlet Cruz (Manhoben para Guåhan). 

This episode went live on June 4, 2020 on Facebook. 

Support the show

Send us a text

In celebration of Juneteenth 2020, local Black Lives Matters voices joined for this episode of Fanachu, highlighting why supporting the continuing struggle for justice by African Americans is important for those in Guam. In this conversation they connect the struggles of Chamorus and Pacific Islanders to those of African Americans and talk about the importance of solidarity.

This episode premiered on June 19, 2020 and featured as guests Kiana Brown, Nichole Quintanilla, Talysa Quintara Kakas

Support the show

Send us a text

For this 2020 episode of Fanachu! author Javier Hernandez is guest sharing his book "Prexit: Forging Puerto Rico's Path to Sovereignty" which challenges misconceptions about Puerto Rico not being  viable should it pursue independence. Hernandez proposes a Brexit for his island home, which could help unlock Puerto Rico's economic potential. Read more or get a copy of his book by clicking this link: https://www.amazon.com/PREXIT-Forging-Puerto-Ricos-Sovereignty/dp/1676722181

This episode premiered live on Facebook on June 25, 2020 and was hosted by Michael Lujan Bevacqua. 

Support the show

Send us a text

In anticipation of the Na'lå'la' Songs of Freedom Vol. 4 held virtually in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Fanachu featured several episodes interviewing musicians who were a part of the lineup for the concert. For this episode Siñot Carlos Laguaña and Andrew Gumataotao were interviewed. They were part of a group that performed the finale for that year's concert.

This episode premiered live on Facebook on July 10, 2020 and was hosted by Michael Lujan Bevacqua. 

Support the show

Send us a text

Welcome to the second episode of a special new Fanachu series titled “Agu’ot: Amplifying Queer Voices in Guåhan” hosted by Helen Yeung. For this second episode, she welcomes Maria Sol Dueñas Marques. Maria (she/they) is a young CHamoru artist and activist living in Sinajaña. They enjoy creating small multi-media acrylic paintings based on intimate, taboo topics and emotions. Her work is influenced by her personal experiences, pop culture and the cinematic nature of Guåhan's landscape. 

Each episode will feature a guest to talk about everything from identity, politics and creativity, to healing, sex and relationships. Agu’ot, the CHamoru word for “to hold each other,” signifies how this series intends to uplift and hold space for marginalized voices, sharing the same name as an upcoming zine co-edited by Yeung. 

Helen Yeung (she/they) is a Hong Kong-Chinese queer feminist scholar, Ph.D. candidate, community organiser, māma, illustrator and zine-maker based in Guåhan and Aotearoa (New Zealand). She grew up in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland), and has previously organized with pan-Asian activists to mobilize migrant solidarity for Māori sovereignty and self-determination. They are also the founder and director of Migrant Zine Collective, which aims to amplify the voices of migrant communities through activism, self-publishing and arts-based practices. 

Her recent works in Guåhan include Kulo’, a collaborative publication with Independent Guåhan on CHamoru sovereignty, and Famalao’an/Babae, a photo zine made with University of Guam’s communications students to celebrate women’s stories. Find her work here: @chinesegoth @migrantzinecollective https://www.helen-yeung.com/

Support the show