As part of its overall involvement in the island’s beautification effort, members of the Guam Army National Guard participated recently in a bus stop painting contest, earning first place, completing the task first while employing a uniquely cultural design.

            The event was part of the Guam Contractors Association 25th Construction Rodeo (Bus Stop Painting Competition) held late in February.

            The bare bus shelters were built and provided by the Department of Public Works, while Frazee Paint supplied the paint, brushes and other materials. Painting the bus stops are part of an effort by the Lieutenant Governor Ray Tenorio’s Island Wide Beautification Task Force program.

            The task was to paint the bus stops, all of which were also stenciled with the Guam seal on each side.

            The two exterior Guam Seals had to be painted with specific colors. The inside of the bus stop had to be painted with any color of the team’s choice. The bus stop deck had to be painted with a special non-skid paint. All other design and painting jobs were "extra" points. The team to met all the specific parameters first won the contest.  

            The GUARNG team was first out of the five entrees, finishing in 1 hour and 30 minutes.

            Chief Warrant Officer 2 Stephen Pangelinan, GUARNG team leader, said the judges for the contest noted that the GUARNG team’s color contrast of the Guard bus stop was very nicely done.  The Guard was also the only group to use purple for the bus stop. For the inside wall segment, the Guard team painted cultural icons such as the latte stone, coconut tree, and the fish hook, among others. 

            “The ancient Chamorro symbols that we used inside the bus stop complemented the Guam Seal,” Pangelinan said.

            All proceeds from the GCA Rodeo event were donated to the Special Olympics. DPW was going to transport the bus stops for use in different spots around the island.

            The GUARNG team was composed of Pangelinan, SSG Jonathan Guzman, SSG Freddie Garcia, SPC Mcmillan Kitalong, and SPC Mayette Concepcion.