By Johanna Salinas
What started as a personal project to get a Guam flag signed by war survivors and liberators has evolved into a journey of photographs and storytelling now compiled into a book.
California Judge Johnny Cepeda Gogo launched his book “Hasso WWII CHamoru Survivors & Liberators” on July 15 ahead of Guam's 80th Liberation Day commemoration on July 21.
Gogo published “Hasso” upon the insistence of his friend, the Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Manny Crisostomo.
“Hasso”— which means “remember” in CHamoru—is a collection of photographs and stories of Guam’s last WWII survivors and liberators. “I needed to move quickly with this project because I’m dealing with a very precious group. Time was of the essence for this particular project,” Gogo said, referring to his book as his “love letter to Guam.”
Although Crisostomo offered to find corporate funding for the project, the judge declined the offer. “I can’t really take funding from any sources because judges aren’t supposed to be bought,” he said.
Gogo previously served as a prosecutor in Santa Clara County and Guam. His father was in the military, so the family has lived in different places, including Guam.
“I want to make sure that there’s no appearance of impropriety, nobody is trying to influence me. The best way to do this is to publish this by myself,” the judge said.
The book includes contributions from former congressman Robert Underwood, with an introduction by award-winning investigative reporter Rob Perez.
Underwood acknowledged the polarization of America’s liberation of Guam late into the war. Some CHamorus called it “reoccupation.”
In his preface, Underwood wrote: “Who suffered the most in the battle for Guahan? Is Guahan truly liberated? These are major issues and the answers changed from the 1950s to the 1990s to the 21st century. I have participated in the changing perspectives of what ‘gi tiempon gera’ meant then and now for the people of Guahan.”
In his intro, Perez wrote: “His target audience is shrinking. With each passing month, more survivors and liberators are passing away. Their stories often die with them. Already, at least a dozen of those who signed Gogo’s flag have died.”
Gogo hopes to find as many war survivors and liberators as he can before they all pass away. He hopes to collect more signatures on a second flag. His first flag is on display at the Guam Museum.
The judge is open to collaborating with any filmmakers interested in turning the book into a documentary. “Anyone from UOG or maybe even Thrive Media Group,” he said. “It’s just getting more of our younger generations involved to share this project with others, so more can be part of the next flag. Any amateur filmmakers interested in my book should probably reach out to me.”
“Hasso WWII CHamoru Survivors & Liberators” is available at Manny Crisostomo’s online store at sanlagu.com.
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