Måfnas Family Guelo'

A Chamori Play.
by: norbert perez

Narrator:  Story about a 3rd generation Chamori family, borned and raised in the mainland city of San Diego and recently relocated back to Guahan. It depicts the daily struggles that the family had to endure in their quest of blending into their new environment, finding their identity and learning all about their ancestral roots. Very serious and touching scenes but delightfully funny.

Characters:

Jake Måfnas: Father. 39 years old. Retired Major, USMC.
Alice Måfnas: Mother, 39 years old. A stay-at-home soccer mom. Very religious. Member of the order of Christian Mothers.
Russell Måfnas: Son. 17 years old. High School Senior & Jock. Very hip.
Serina Måfnas: Daughter. 16 years old. High School Junior. Cheerleader. Punk Rocker.
Katherine Måfnas: Daughter. 12 years old. Middle School Student. Spoiled Brat/Princess.
Guelo' Måfnas: Taotaomo'na Spirit. 311 years old.


Scene 1

Tuka', Tuka', Tuka'
Tuka', Tuka', Tuka'
Tuka', Tuka', Tuka'

Gof atanon yan påopåo
Mahetokña uritåo
Yangen hågu lokkue' guåo
Hacha'mori na tåotåo

Tuka', Tuka', Tuka'
Tuka', Tuka', Tuka'
Tuka', Tuka', Tuka'

Tana'tunas i eklåo
Loloklok yan lalåolåo
Yangen hågu lokkue' guåo
Hacha'mori na tåotåo

Tuka', Tuka', Tuka'
Tuka', Tuka', Tuka'

Mungnga che'lu ma'åñåo
Mungnga ga'chong mamåhlåo
Sa' tano'-mu na gaigi håo
Hacha'mori na tåotåo

Tuka', Tuka', Tuka'
Tuka', Tuka', Tuka'
Tuka', Tuka', Tuka'

Tåotåo Tåno' yu' sagåo
Gof måolek na ginagåo
Yangen hågu lokkue' guåo
Hacha'mori na tåotåo

Tuka', Tuka', Tuka'
Tuka', Tuka', Tuka'

Narrator…..
The Måfnas family are making themselves at-home in their newly inherited house on the rolling hills of Umatac. The dwelling had belonged to a great-great-grandfather who deeded the property to any Måfnas descendent willing to have the home. Mr. Måfnas’ grandfather left Guahan in the 1930’s in search of a better life for himself and his brood. Believing that America was the land of opportunities, he sold off his entire family holdings in Umatac and settled in the thriving town of San Diego, California.

Timeline: 1925:00 Guahan Local Time - 13 December 2005

Setting: The Måfnas family are sitting around the living room. Alice Måfnas, Serina Måfnas and Katherine Måfnas are lounging on the large sofa with their eyes glued to the television set - watching 'As the world turns', a popular soap opera. Jake Måfnas is far off at a corner table rearranging his fishing equipment of lures and hooks into his tackle box. Russell is sprawled on the carpet playing with his Gameboy.

At Rise:

The sounds from the television set permeated the room.

Jake Måfnas:                       Yes! Yes, baby! (admiring his new lure) You’re gonna catch me the biggest fish in the ocean!

(In unison)
Alice Mafnas:                       Schusssssh!

Serina Måfnas:                    Shush! Quiet daddy!

Katherine Måfnas:                 Schusssssh! Okay, dad!

The room again became engaged with the soap opera….

Russell Måfnas:                 Is it true that we have ghosts in our house? (addressing no one in particular)

Alice Måfnas:                       Schussssh, Russ. You’re disturbing the show.

Once more, the room became one with the movie…..

Serina Måfnas:                    I don’t like her! She’s a witch! (one can tell that there was a commercial break in the movie).

Alice Måfnas:                       Yeah!

Katherine Måfnas:                 I do! I think she’s terrific; A little weird but terrific.

Serina Måfnas:                    You think everyone is terrific. Russ, what’s this about ghost?

Russell Måfnas:                 My friends at school told me. And Jared Naputi, who lives down the road, said so too.

Alice Måfnas:                       I don’t believe in ghost. Although I always get this eerie feeling when I’m home alone.

Russell Måfnas:                 Is this true, daddy?

Jake Måfnas:                       I don’t know. Jose Naputi, Jared’s father asked me yesterday if we encountered anything weird? I told him no.

Serina Måfnas:                    This house is haunted. Last night, we heard some strange sounds coming from the kitchen. Right Kat?

Katherine Måfnas:                 Yeah!

Jake Måfnas:                       My cousin Tomas told me once that there is a Taotaomo’na living in this house. He said that no one in the family wanted to inherit this property. They wanted nothing to do with this home.

Alice Måfnas:                       Quiet.                 The show is back on.

Katherine Måfnas:                 Schussssh!

Serina Måfnas:                    Quiet, please! (as she fiddled with the remote to increase the volume)

Again, the room became engross with the TV drama.

Katherine Måfnas:            What is that awful smell? Yuk!

Alice Måfnas:                       Phew! Yukkie!

Serina Måfnas:                          Russell, did you fart?

Russell Måfnas:                  No! I did nothing of the sort!

Alice Måfnas:                       Oh god! It smells like someone old.

Katherine Måfnas:              I need some air. (rushing to the window to catch a breath of fresh air)

Jake Måfnas:                       Did you do anything, Russ?

Russell Måfnas:                  No, dad. It wasn’t me.

Narrator:                Just then, the lights flickered off and the room became dark. A gust of wind rushed through the living room. That musky foreign odor permeated the house. As suddenly as it had manifested, the electricity flicked on again and the room became bright.

Alice Måfnas:                       (Still lounging on the couch) Ai……ai…….ai.

Serina Måfnas:                    (Sitting next to her mother) Oh my! Awoooow.

Katherine Måfnas:                 (Standing near the open window, clear across the room) Ai. Whjat is that thing?

Russell Måfnas:                  (Got up from the floor, dropped his game boy. Turned in the direction of the rocking chair. He saw the figure and he, too began screaming)  Ai….Ai….Ai.

Narrator:                           Alice Måfnas, Russell Måfnas, Serina Måfnas and Katherine Måfnas ran up to where Jake Måfnas was…clear across the room. Sitting on the rocking chair was a silver haired old man with dark chocolate skin and wearing only Sadi’ (thong). He was rocking the chair back and forth, back and forth; enjoying the moment.

Jake Måfnas:                        (Stood up, grabbed a baseball bat and stood between the alien and his crowding family) Who are you?

Narrator:                 No answer came from the old man.

Jake Måfnas:                       Who are you and what are you doing here? (a little louder and forceful)

Narrator:                 Still no answer came from the figure on the rocking chair.

Jake Måfnas:                       (Inched a bit closer)  Who are you??

The man looked up in his direction and gave him a friendly smile but did not reply.

Alice Måfnas:                       Jake, ask him in Chamoru.

Jake Måfnas:                       Håjee håo?  (in his houle accent)

Narrator:    Still smiling with those piercing dark brown eyes, the old man raised a hand and pointed to his lips. Then he started chanting in a language foreign to everyone in the room. It sounded much like the ancient language of the Tåotåo Tåno.

Old Man:                                  Tuka' på'go sa ma tågo'.  Ma'lak somnak kumalåo.

                                                Tuka' på'go sa ma tågo'. Tåotåo Tano' Tåotåo Tåno' Håo.

                                                Tuka' på'go sa ma tågo'.  Niyok fåha' Bakalåo.

Jake Måfnas:                           Kåo un tungo' ju'? (In his houle accent)

Russell Måfnas:                         That wierd smell is coming from him, Daddy.

Alice Måfnas:                              Hush!  Hush, Russell.

Jake Måfnas:                               Please son, let me handle this. Why don't you take your  sisters and go get Mr. Naputi. Maybe he can understand what this man is saying. Maybe they can communicate. 

Russell Måfnas:                          Okay Dad. What shall I say to Mr. Naputi.

Alice Måfnas:                              Just say, "my Dad needs you right away". And please hurry.

Serina Måfnas:                            Okay Mom. We're going.  (She grabs her brother's arm to lead him to the door. )

Katherine Måfnas:                      Alright Dad. Phooey! I need some fresh air. (Scampers behind her older siblings as they rushed out the front door.)

Jake and Alice Måfnas turned there attention to the old man who now was kneeling on the floor and bowing in cadence to his chants.  "Saina Yu! Guåo Tåotåo! Saina Yu! Guåo Tåotåo! Saina Yu!  Guåo Tåotåo!"

Narrator:     The scene ends

Tuka', Tuka', Tuka'
Tuka', Tuka', Tuka'
Tuka', Tuka', Tuka'

Gof atanon yan påopåo
Mahetokña uritåo
Yangen hågu lokkue' guåo
Hacha'mori na tåotåo

Tuka', Tuka', Tuka'
Tuka', Tuka', Tuka'

**************************************************

Scene 2

Tuka', Tuka', Tuka'
Tuka', Tuka', Tuka'
Tuka', Tuka', Tuka'

Gof atanon yan påopåo
Mahetokña uritåo
Yangen hågu lokkue' guåo
Hacha'mori na tåotåo

Tuka', Tuka', Tuka'
Tuka', Tuka', Tuka'
Tuka', Tuka', Tuka'

Tana'tunas i eklåo
Loloklok yan lalåolåo
Yangen hågu lokkue' guåo
Hacha'mori na tåotåo

Tuka', Tuka', Tuka'
Tuka', Tuka', Tuka'

Mungnga che'lu ma'åñåo
Mungnga ga'chong mamåhlåo
Sa' tano'-mu na gaigi håo
Hacha'mori na tåotåo

Tuka', Tuka', Tuka'
Tuka', Tuka', Tuka'
Tuka', Tuka', Tuka'

Tåotåo Tåno' yu' sagåo
Gof måolek na ginagåo
Yangen hågu lokkue' guåo
Hacha'mori na tåotåo

Tuka', Tuka', Tuka'
Tuka', Tuka', Tuka'


Narrator:   The Naputi family is your typical Chamori clan who have been a part of the Umatac landscape for hundreds of years.  After Four centuries of assimilation into the Spanish culture and now the American lifestyle, they still hold a close affinity with the Taotaomo'nas.

Characters:

Jose Naputi: Father. 58 years old. Retired GovGuam Police Officer & Farmer.
Tona Naputi: Mother, 57 years old. Retired GovGuam School Teacher.
Lukas Naputi: Son. 27 years old. .
Pepito Naputi: Son. 24 years old. .
Susanna Naputi: Daughter. 22 years old. .
Jarred Naputi: Son. 17 years old.                                                                                         
Manuel Naputi: Brother. 56 years old..
Antonio Naputi: Grandfather. 77 years old. .

Timeline: 2011:00 Guahan Local Time - 13 December 2005

Setting: The Naputi  family were clustered around the television set absorbing the news of the day. The Channel 6 newscaster was interviewing the Fire Chief about a late night brush fire which consumed nearly five acres of the western hills of Malesso'.  Jose Naputi and Tona' Naputi sat comfortably in their lazy boy chairs while the children were spread about the living room.

At Rise: 

Fire Chief:                            We received the alarm at 8:22 last night and we responded immediately. We arrived on the scene 17-minutes later and found the raging fire, which we contained in approximately 40-minutes.

News Caster:                        Were there any damages to homes and property? 

Fire Chief:                            No! The fire was in a remote area and posed no danger to anyone or any homes. 

News Caster:                        Thank you, Chief.  There you have it folks.  Reporting Live from Malesso', this is Dina Santos of Cable 6 News. 

Narrator:   Suddenly, a string of loud and annoying knocks came through the front door.

(Pounding).  Knock!  Knock!  Knock!  Knock! Knock! 

Jose Naputi:                         Håyi adai ayu?  (Who is that?) Hoi'. Hoi'.  He called out....

Tona' Naputi:                       Oppi fan i petta. she called out to no one in particular. Hoi' She called out.  

Jose Naputi:                         Hoi'.  Hoi'.  He cried out in response. 

Narrator:         Muffled sounds could be heard through the closed door. 

Susanna Naputi ran to the window and skewed the curtain to see who was at the door. 

Susanna Naputi:                 Daddy, it's Russell Måfnas from up the hill. He and his two sisters are up front. 

Jose Naputi:                         Håyi?  (Who?) 

Jared Naputi:                       Ombre, Si Señot Måfnas nai.  I’ll bet the Taotaomo’na has visited them.

Lukas Naputi:                      I familian Måfnas hulo’ gi ekso’ (The Måfnas family from up the hill)

Pepito Naputi:                      Ai! Gof atanon si Serina. (Wow! Serina looks beautiful!)

Tona' Naputi:                       Baba fan i petta, Susanna. She ordered. 

As the door flung open, Russell, Serina and Katherine Måfnas stormed in and shouting in unison. As they entered, they went directly towards Mrs. Naputi to extend their respectful greeting.

Russell Måfnas:                  Hello Mr. Naputi. My Father needs your help right away. 

Serina Måfnas:                    Hi. My Mom and Dad told us to come and get you.

Katherine Måfnas:                 Please help us Mr. Naputi. We have an emergency at our house. 

Jose Naputi:                         Håfa? (What?) Calm down! Calm down! Tell me what is wrong? 

Russell Måfnas:                  Ñora Mrs. Naputi. Taking her hand and kissing the upper side of her palm.

Serina Måfnas:                    Ñora Auntie Tona'. As she hugged the old woman and planted a kiss on her cheek.

Katherine Måfnas:                  Ñora Auntie. Håfa Adai. She too hugged the old woman and kissed her.

Tona' Naputi:                       Ai adai, famagu'on-hu. (Oh my children). Si yu'os un binendisi. (God bless you) Si yu'os un binendisi. (God bless you) Si yu'os ma'åse' (God have mercy) Hugging each child. What is the matter?

Jose Naputi:                         Okay! What is wrong at the house? He childed.

Russell Måfnas:                  My Dad needs you Mr. Naputi. Please come with us. 

Katherine Måfnas:                  There is a weird old man at the house and boy, does he stink.

Jose Naputi:                         What? You have a man at your house?

Katherine Måfnas:                 Yes sir. He speaks a foreign language. We can't understand a word he says.  Dad told us to come and get you. You may be able to understand his lingo. 

Jared Naputi:                       I told you! I told you!  It's the Guelo'. It's the Taotaomo'na.

Serina Måfnas:                    The what? she cooed.

Jared Naputi:                       The Taotaomo'na.  Your Guelo'.  Your relative.

Katherine Måfnas:                 No Way! That man is NOT RELATED to me. `He smells Super BAD.  Phooey!

Jared Naputi:                       Yes Way!   That Guelo’ is your Great, Great, Great, Great, Grandfather.

Serina Måfnas:                    Yeah….right! She muttered in a sarcastic tone.

Jose Naputi:                         Alright kids. Let’s go help your parents.

Katherine Måfnas:              Yes!  Let’s go, Mr. Naputi.

Lukas Naputi:                      Do you want us boys along, too??

Pepito Naputi:                      Yeah Dad. Can we come too?

Jared Naputi:                       I’m coming Daddy.

Russell Måfnas:                  Shoot Jared. Come along.

Jose Naputi:                         Pepito and Lukas, you stay behind and finish the coconut oil. Jared, you come along. Let’s go.

Tona’ Naputi:                       Esta famagu’on-hu. Hånåo!  (Okay my children, Go!)

Serina Måfnas:                    Okay, Auntie Tona’. Thank you so much and goodbye.

The three Måfnas kids, Jared and Jose Naputi filed out the door.

Narrator:                The Scene Ends…..

Tuka', Tuka', Tuka'
Tuka', Tuka', Tuka'
Tuka', Tuka', Tuka'

Gof atanon yan påopåo
Mahetokña uritåo
Yangen hågu lokkue' guåo
Hacha'mori na tåotåo

Tuka', Tuka', Tuka'
Tuka', Tuka', Tuka'