There was excited chatter in the tour bus as it inched its way through the wide, open roads of Tumon from the airport. Chanel, Bulgari, Prada, Louis Vuitton and Tiffany silently beckoned behind perfectly tended bushes that lined the well-paved streets.
Amid the excitement, I kept thinking what I could possibly buy with the little amount I had in my wallet. But worries like lack of sleep and shopping money wouldn’t top our itinerary: After all, we were in Guam for a three-day holiday. Besides, Ross Dress For Less and K-Mart weren’t far behind.
Cebu Pacific flies to Guam
The Philippine STAR was invited by Cebu Pacific to its inaugural flight to Guam, which left the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 on March 15 at 3:45 a.m. Guam is only three and a half hours away from the Philippines — with only two hours’ time difference. So biyaheras who normally shop in China, Taiwan or Hong Kong are now flying to Guam not only because the good stuff is from “Stateside,” but also because it’s duty-free. And with Cebu Pacific’s lowest year-round fares, which start from P7,203 all-in, while seat-sale fares go for as low as P1,499 all-in, every Juan can now afford to fly to Guam — with the whole family or barkada — anytime.
It was my second visit to Guam and just like the first, I quickly felt at home. Maybe it’s the air, the kind that invigorates the senses. Maybe it’s the food that’s prepared with so much love and passion. Or it could be the locals — the Chamorros — who are charming and gracious, just like us Pinoys.
It’s hard to be a stranger on this side of Micronesia when almost every person you meet looks just like you (Chamorros and Filipinos share the same dusky features) and speak your language.
At the Guam International Airport, for instance, the immigration officer greeted everyone with “Mabuhay!” And as soon as I handed him my passport he asked, “Kamusta ka, mahal?”
At the Guam Premium Outlet in Tamuning, I rummaged through a rack of men’s pants inside the Tommy Hilfiger boutique with a sign that read: “US$10.” Just to be sure, I asked the sales person (in English) which ones, exactly, were on sale. “Yung colored pants and shorts lang po,” replied the young man without even looking at me. How did he know? Was it my accent or did he simply assume that only Pinoys go for the bargains?
Even the cab drivers, sales personnel and the hotel staff are mostly Pinoys. In the latest report released by the Guam Visitors Bureau (GVB), Filipinos already comprise 26.3 percent of the island’s current population.
I guess that explains why everything on the island looks and feels new, yet surprisingly familiar.
Once on this island
I had a glimpse of this beautiful island in 2008 upon the invitation of the Guam Visitors Bureau, which organizes the annual “Guam Ko’ko Road Race,” the island’s elite ekiden relay and half-marathon, so named to raise awareness on the plight of Guam’s territorial bird, the Guam rail or ko’ko’. The event attracts runners from around the globe, proceeds of which go to the Ko’ko Bird Awareness Fund.
We were in Guam that time just for the marathon, but my friend, PDI’s Vangie Reyes, and I managed to have an à la Amazing Race city tour before boarding our flight back to Manila. It took us only three hours to check out Guam’s must-see sites. Needless to say, it was short, sweet, and yes, bitin!
So when another chance came to explore Guam, this time with Cebu Pacific, I jumped on it. Why? Because I knew little about the island and a guided tour seemed the best way to approach the unknown. And I can’t deny the fact that part of the lure was the outlet shopping and the chance to sample the juicy three-foot-long sausage and large turkey leg, marinated in brine, smoked and then grilled right in front of you, turo-turo style.
Just like the Philippines, Guam — an island state of the United States of America — was colonized by Spain from the 15th to 18th centuries.
Historical records also show that both islands were taken over by the Americans from the Spaniards in 1898. The two suffered the same fate under Japanese rule when World War II broke out. This explains why Guam and the Philippines have so many things in common in terms of religion, culture, heritage and food.
Whether by pure coincidence or intentional design, JG Summit Holdings Inc.’s Viveca Singson, Cebu Pacific’s Michelle Eve de Guzman and our hosts from the Guam Visitors Bureau headed by its marketing manager for the Philippines, Mark Manglona, took us to exciting spots and delicious stops, which together topped off an exciting delicious experience in the island of the Chamorros, Guam’s indigenous people.
• Chamorro Village. Centrally located along Hagatna Bay, the village is the go-to place for those who want to learn more about Chamorro culture as it offers a glimpse of the island’s lifestyle and cuisine. It also reminds one of the old Spanish markets with its quaint stalls and eateries. While tourists make a beeline for the Guam Barbecue Company to have their fill of the three-foot-long Portuguese chorizo and turkey leg, the locals set their eyes and palate on pancit bihon and adobo.
• Jamaican Grill. Not all barbecues are created equal. This we realized after a delicious lunch at Jamaican Grill in Tamuning. Cooled only by the gentle sea breeze that passes through the veranda dining area, the 40-seater restaurant is always packed and the huge paper towel rolls — placed right in the middle of the tables — tell diners that “serious eating is the order of the day.” Our group took up the challenge and ordered the house specialty: the Jamaican Grill Platter (jerk chicken and ribs combo). And ya, mon, it tasted the way jerk barbecue should be: juicy, spicy, sweet and unique.
• Meskla. For a taste of the best kelaguen (similar to our kilawin) in town, Mark Manglona and his team took us to Meskla, a Chamorro fusion bistro also in Hagatna. Served over fresh local greens, cucumber and avocado mousse, the Fresh Ahi Poke Salad, fresh yellow-fin tuna loin cubes marinated in a spicy soy-sesame dressing, is a must-try. We also couldn’t get enough of Meskla’s stuffed Portobello served with garlic aoli.
• Duty-free shopping. If you belong to the “born to shop” crowd, Guam doesn’t disappoint. The island’s duty-free status means that no tariffs are added to the prices of designer bags, shoes, watches, among others. Shop till you drop is the name of the game at Guam Premium Outlet as it houses American brands like Tommy Hilfiger, Naturalizer, Calvin Klein and Ross where you’ll have a field day rummaging through rack after rack of branded shoes, bags and apparel priced up to 70 percent off. Another popular shopping destination is Micronesia Mall in Dededo, which is owned by Filipino business magnate Lucio Tan. There’s Macy’s department store, local Guamanian brands, and yes, Bench! Also check out Guam’s largest retail outlets such as K-Mart in Upper Tumon for interesting finds that won’t leave a hole in your pocket. For some luxury shopping, check out Tumon Sands Plaza and T-Galleria, which are located along the hotel row of Tumon Bay. Name a luxury brand and the strip is sure to have it.
• Fish Eye Marine Park is an underwater observatory where tourists can enjoy Guam’s marine life up close without getting wet by viewing through large-panel windows. Since it opened in 1996, the attraction has expanded its business via snorkeling tours, dolphin watching and a Polynesian dinner show.
• Fort Santa Agueda. For those who want to know more about the culture and history of Guam, visit the many cultural and historical sites throughout the island. We passed by the Fort Santa Agueda, which is built to keep Agana Bay and the city of Hagatna safe. The fort provided defense from pirates for trading ships that docked in the bay. It also provides a splendid view of Hagatna, the capital city of Guam, and the Agana Bay that stretches out below.
• Two Lovers Point. For the uber-romantic, Two Lovers’ Point is the place to be. This 378-foot cliff tells the story of two star-crossed Chamorro lovers who leaped to their deaths, to be together forever. A wedding ceremony had just taken place when we got to the park. Unlike the legendary characters, the newlyweds sealed their union with a kiss instead of taking the plunge. Seriously, what makes the Two Lovers’ Point a sought-after wedding destination is the breathtaking view it offers. From the cliff, you get a panoramic vista of Tumon bay and central Guam, not to mention the spectacular sunset.
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Cebu Pacific Air flies between Manila and Guam four times weekly. Lowest year-round fares start from P7,203 all-in, while seat sale fares go as low as P1,499 all-in. For bookings, visit www.cebupacificair.com or call 7020-888 or 230-8888. The latest seat sales may also be found on Cebu Pacific Air’s official Facebook and Twitter pages.
For more information on Visit Guam 2016 events, visit the Guam Visitor Bureau website at www.guamvisitorsbureau.com or www.visitguam.com.