Once a colony of Spain for centuries, Guam was recently recognized in a national celebration known as the annual Fiesta Nacional de España.
The island’s flag was included in the procession of Hispanic cultural sphere flags that took place on October 12 in the small town of Guadalupe.
Guam flag bearer Jose Antonio carries the flag during the Hispanic Cultural Bloc’s flag procession in Guadalupe, Spain on October 12, 2022. The event was part of the annual Fiesta Nacional de Espana in Spain.
Guam’s flag bearer is Jose Antonio, who celebrates more than 50 years as a cavalryman, or knight, of Santa Maria de Guadalupe. In 1928, Santa Maria de Her Guadalupe was declared “Queen of the Hispanic cultural sphere,” including Guam, by the Catholic Church.
“The addition of Guam’s flag to the procession of ‘Hispanic culture flags’ was widely recognized and acknowledged throughout the festivities,” said Clark Limutiaco, a CHamoru researcher who lives in Spain. Hosts, regional newspapers, local and national television news outlets highlighted the addition of Guam’s flag.
“On the day of the procession, Association President Agustín Margaro Moraño invited me to the initiation ceremony of the New Order, where I thanked him for including the flag of Guam in his annual ceremony. I did,” he added. “My short thank you speech was followed by cheers of ‘Viva Guam!'”
October 12th is commonly known as Spain’s National Day. This year he made the pilgrimage to Guadalupe with more than 1,000 horsemen.
This year will be the first time since 2019 when it was suspended due to the influence of the new coronavirus infection. Although a national celebration, the Guadalupe event is also a religious event.
The celebration was held in Plaza de Santa Maria de Guadalupe, in front of the Santa Maria de Guadalupe Monastery, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993.
“The flag remains a permanent part of the annual festival and is displayed alongside the flags of other countries of Hispanic cultural heritage, including the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Argentina, at Guadalupe’s Museo de la Hispanidad (Museum of Hispanic Culture). It will be exhibited in , Peru and Chile,” said Limutiaco.
After the procession, the flag was carried to the cathedral where Mass was held. After the mass, flags were hoisted again and paraded through the square.
“Cercro Cervantino”
Limtiaco said the inclusion of the Guam flag in the march was “Circulo Cervantino de Guam,” an online forum named after the association of the same name that once existed on Guam from the late 1950s through the 1970s and 80s. said thanks to networking with
“The association is dedicated to preserving the Spanish cultural heritage of the people of Guam and Chamorro, and has worked hard to preserve Spanish-era historic sites, including the San Antonio Bridge in Hagåtña,” Limtiacco said. “The online forum aims to continue the mission of the original Circulo His Cervantino de His Guam by focusing on Guam’s unique Hispanic cultural heritage.
Altar of Santa Maria de Guadalupe.
“The 500th anniversary of the Magellan-Elcano expedition brought a little more attention to Guam here in Spain,” added Limutiaco. “Guam should actively maintain dialogue with Spain as a means of working together to restore our untold history.”
Ron Rocky Coloma covers entertainment, lifestyle and artist features. Please contact him at rcoloma@guampdn.com.
