Legendary Guam architect Andrew Laguana posthumously honored with Maga'haga Award

A Guam visionary in architecture and engineering was posthumously awarded the Maga'haga Award, as his misty-eyed family was embraced by the community. Andrew Tenorio Laguana passed away on July 14 this year. He was 71. 

Jerusa Laguaña, daughter of Andrew Laguana, said, "All these buildings, when we were driving over here, these buildings hold his spirit."

For the past 45 years the late Andrew Laguana helped build Guam, setting the foundation for some iconic sites: from designing the Guam Museum to renovating JFK.  "So every time you drive by these buildings, please think of him," Jerusa said.

He was known by many as "Andy". The 1968 FD grad's work and leadership spans from San Francisco, California to right here at home where he returned in 1990 to bring his ideas to life and breath life into the buildings on island.

On Friday, his wife Joanne accepted the Maga'haga Award from Adelup in his honor. Governor Lou Leon Guerrero said, "We will miss Andy. We will miss his, like Josh said, his acumen, his love for his people forever and he will be remembered. Our deepest condolences again and we are a very grateful Guam and island as a result of all the contributions he has made for the best of our people."

The governor described his work as defining Guam's building environment and a guide to the future of the island's architectural and engineering professions.

Lieutenant Governor Josh Tenorio said, "He knew the people of Guam, the CHamoru people can aspire and do whatever they could do with the right resources and right opportunities they could definitely do so much."

He had his hand in many community service projects reflecting his heart for his home.

"My dad had really big plans for Guam. And I feel like he left his mark here on this island and I know a lot of you have approached me saying there is still more to be done," his daughter said gratefully.