More than 50 social media from seven countries converged on Guam for the 2nd Annual Maila Ta Fan Boka sponsored by Guam Visitors Bureau (GVB) May 26–28 in an effort to promote the island’s authentic food culture. Bloggers and photographers from Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, China, Philippines, and Taiwan arrived for the three-day event that allowed them to see everything from crops grown on Guam to how dishes are prepared.

Media were welcomed with an orientation breakfast at Toh-Lee Restaurant in Nikko Hotel, where an expansive view of Tumon Bay greeted them. Bus transportation secured through MHI them transported them to Johnny Castro’s mango farm in Talofofo, Hamomoto Fruit World in Yona, and a hydroponic lettuce farm in Mangilao before capping the day off at the Muna home, where media learned how to prepare dishes like hineksa’ agaga’ (red rice), lechen biringhenas (barbecued eggplant with coconut milk) and gollai appán lemmai (breadfruit in coconut milk) in the family’s backyard kitchen. Cultural entertainment was also provided by Inetnon Gef Pa’go.

Before venturing off to individual group tours with their respective market ground operators May 27, the 54-member group was treated to a special introduction of Lina’la’ Chamorro Cultural Park in Tumon. On Saturday, the event capped off with the 2nd Annual Maila Ta Fan Boka Culinary Competition and lunch at the Agat Mango Festival.

Sponsors for Maila Ta Fan Boka included the Guam Hotel & Restaurant Association (GHRA), The Westin Resort Guam, Lina’la’ Chamorro Cultural Park, the Micronesian Chefs Association, Farmer’s Cooperative Association of Guam, GPO, Pacific Islands Club, Guam Community College, Fiesta Resort Guam, Hotel Nikko Guam, Continental Airlines, the Agat Mayor’s Office, the Department of Chamorro Affairs, IT&E, Nippon Rent-a-Car, DFS Guam, Outrigger Guam Resort, Sandcastle Cocktail Show, Gyoza Yatai, Skydive Guam, Alupang Beach Club, Two Lovers Point, Capricciosa, and Atlantis Submarine.

Guam Visitors Bureau (GVB), www.visitguam.org