The art of giving

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Christopher R. Morales
  • JBER Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  Originating in the ancient Chamorro culture, Chenchule is a system of social reciprocity where everyone gives out of the kindness of their heart while expecting nothing in return.

"I grew up in Guam, the village of Dededo, and it was great," said Tech. Sgt. Daniel Dela Cruz, 703rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 962nd Aircraft Maintenance Unit element lead. "A lot of people think the island is small, but to me, that was my world."

"Everyone says you can drive around the island in an hour and-a-half; what that tells me is that they are not doing it right," Dela Cruz said. "You need to take in the scenes, the culture, and the family. That's where I spent most of my childhood, fishing, hunting, and taking care of the family ranch with my brother."

The Chamorro are the indigenous people of the Mariana Islands, including Guam. The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands is a United States territory, meaning everybody born in the CNMI are American citizens.

"I am a proud Chamorro, just like Dela Cruz," said Air Force Staff Sgt. Michael Camacho, 3rd Maintenance Group executive services manager. "Our culture is based on family values and it is tied into our language and how we go about things."

Despite the size of the island, Guam is split into two different groups; the north and the south. The north is westernized and has a wider diversity of people. It is also the location of Andersen Air Force Base.

"I'm from the south and we still hold on to the roots of the island and its culture," Camacho said. "Our mentality is small, we don't normally visit up north, despite it being 30 to 45 minutes away. Typically in Guam, we wouldn't be hanging out.

"The only way I would've known this guy is through the military," Camacho said.

Dela Cruz joined the Air Force in 2003 and Camacho joined in 2010, after college. Both received a huge culture shock outside of the island, but there was some similarity in the military they could relate to.

"I think it was an easy transition into the military due to our cultural background, because respect is huge, discipline is huge, listening to authority and not questioning is all a part of our culture," Camacho said. "When tasked to do something, we would get it done faster than you would think it could be done to prove the point that we are determined, and we will adapt to our surroundings."

Just like Chamorro are a tight-knit community, the military are also a close collective able to connect through their association while not being directly related, said Camacho.

"We all need to look out for one another," Dela Cruz said. "I'd look out for Airmen and teach them the right way rather than scream and yell because people shut down. I'm trying to break the mentality of 'let them fail' by helping them learn instead."

"Being from a small island, that's just what we do in the even smaller communities - and I'd like to instill this culture of helping and giving to my Airmen," Dela Cruz said.
Dela Cruz was given the nickname of 'Mother' at his workplace because of how much he cares for his troops. He has expressed this doesn't offend him at all.

"What he mentioned is Chenchule; he is giving his culture, he is giving to his Airmen," Camacho said. "Whether it is physical or - more importantly - help and support with nothing in return; that is the art of Chenchule."

Dela Cruz and Camacho have been friends and family since they met at their last base.

"He came up to me and introduced himself and I knew he was someone I'd want to associate myself with," Camacho said. "I have a son and a daughter and even though Dela Cruz and I aren't blood-related, whenever he comes over, my daughter calls him 'Uncle Dan.'"

"By having the people I associate with come over and for her to call them 'uncle' and 'auntie' it allows her to build her own family that she will never have anywhere else," Camacho said. "This is important because she doesn't have the same opportunity that I had - spending 22 years on the island, being surrounded by people who share similarities."

Camacho, 28, grew up the youngest in his immediate family with five brothers and three sisters, some up to 50 years old. Like other Chamorro he also grew up in a community with extended family and friends in their village in Guam.

"Usually one house was the hub and that was the go-to place that always had food, whatever you needed," Dela Cruz said. "If you were feeling down, there was always someone there to talk to. If you got kicked out of your house, that was the place to go."

Dela Cruz's grandmother, Ling Rosario Taitano Hiura, was the host of the hub. Like any good host, she would always have drinks and food ready - always prepared to give, he said.

"The one person that was always there for anybody was my grandmother," Dela Cruz said. "No matter what the situation was, everybody ran to her for advice. She took the time and energy to teach my generation the culture and traditions, how to cook, how to clean and the history of her life."

"We try to teach our kids everything we know and understand as part of our tradition," Dela Cruz said. "Our culture is all about treating all others with respect and to always give."

Camacho's and Dela Cruz's children won't share the same experiences as they did growing up on the island. Instead, they share their culture and expand their family, wherever they go.

"Culture, to me, is a sense of belonging," Camacho said. "Culture is not a physical connection to a single place; I can take my culture and bring it to wherever I am. I will always have that sense of belonging and pride.

"We embrace everyone and who they are, it is very important to us because I'm proud of my heritage and if they are proud of theirs, that is one aspect we can relate culturally," Camacho said. "I like to ask people where they are from because a lot of people take pride in their heritage and culture."

Camacho knows the struggle of being a minority and starting out in the military so whenever he notices someone having the same struggles he comforts them with the reminder that they are not alone.

"Others have been in their position and succeeded, so don't be afraid to ask for help or be proud of who you are," Camacho said.