One thing I've learned from traveling and meeting Chamorros all over the United States is that no matter how long you've been away from Guam, Saipan, Tinian, or Rota, there's always a part of you that's mahalang for home.
Maybe it's the food.
Maybe it's hearing the language.
Maybe it's hearing island music playing in the background.
Or maybe it's just being around people who understand exactly where you come from.
That's why I love events like Chamorro Day in Tacoma.
For one day, thousands of people from across the Pacific Northwest come together to celebrate everything that makes the Marianas special. Families reconnect. Friends reunite. Kids learn about their culture. Elders share stories. And everyone gets to experience a little piece of home.
Last year, I attended for the first time and honestly, I didn't expect it to hit me the way it did.
Walking through the event, hearing the language, seeing the dancing, smelling the food, and feeling the inafa'maolek spirit all around me—it felt like home.
It reminded me that even though we may live thousands of miles away from our islands, our culture is still alive and strong.
What makes Chamorro Day special isn't just the performances or the food.
It's the people.
It's seeing parents introduce their children to traditions they grew up with.
It's seeing old friends reconnect after years apart.
It's seeing an entire community come together because they're proud of who they are and where they come from.
If you've been mahalang for home, I encourage you to make the trip.
Bring your family.
Bring your kids.
Bring your friends.
Come eat some good food, listen to some great music, learn something new, and reconnect with the culture that connects all of us.
I'll be there with some fresh new blades, new merch, and that SHINARP energy, but more than anything, I'm looking forward to seeing everyone again.
Hope to see you in Tacoma.
Stay SHINARP.
si Frank