Let the Phoenix Arise

The community of Father Dueñas Memorial School, along with benefactors, friends and the family of Pale’ Jesus Baza Dueñas, the school’s namesake, gathered at the school to dedicate an image of Pale’ Dueñas, along with those executed alongside him.


The seven-foot monument depicts two CHamorro men after their execution and a third figure gazing up at Father Dueñas, in the ecstasy of rising towards heaven. The statue was designed by Emmanuel “Chito” Santos, a Geography and Art teacher at Father Duenas Memorial School, who has been instrumental in the design of many of the art projects throughout the community.

The dedication of the image coincides with the 75th death anniversary of Father Dueñas who was executed on July 12, 1944 at the hand of Japanese soldiers, along with his nephew, Eduardo Dueñas, Juan Pangelinan, and another Chamorro man unidentified in records.

Mr. Ismael Perez, principal of Father Dueñas Memorial School, expressed the importance of this day for the school community and especially for the island, stating that Pale’ Dueñas is a very relevant example for today’s society, since he was a person faithful to his island and unwavering in his commitment to his Faith, even if it meant paying the consequences with his life. His sacrifice serves as a reminder to all of us to live holy lives of service to our community.

The school is grateful to the Dueñas family for their presence and support and most especially to the Ada family for making this memorial a reality. The school and island community now have a monument which pays homage to the sacrifice of Pale’ Dueñas and to the memory of those CHamorros who also lost their lives that day in service to the faith and their people.