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Don Muna is most known for his role as Vicente Flores in the Muna Bros. directorial debut, Shiro's Head. Don has over a decade of professional experience in multi-media production, including song writing, music production, cinematography, and video editing. And just like his big brother Kel, Don is also an independent producer, writer and director, but above all considers himself to be a true advocate of the arts.

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JB’s Ukulele Workshop – Astumbo Middle School

January 12th, 2009 • Related • Filed Under

With everyone I meet, I do my best to just kick back and observe… maybe learn a thing or two. And that I did. To make a long story short, I asked JB what the secret of his success was and he said this: “Don, it’s not all about your ability… it’s also about your accessibility.” It took me a whole day for JB’s words of wisdom to completely sink in, but I finally got it.

How accessible are you willing to make yourself in order to achieve your goals in life? Everybody is capable of great things, but how many days of the week are you putting aside to follow your dreams? Your answer equals your accessibility.

Up top is a little video I shot while I was kicking back with JB during one of his free ukulele workshops at Astumbo Middle School in Dededo. As if the free workshop wasn’t enough, JB gives away his signature Hafa Adai Ukulele to Johnny, a student thats been experiencing a tough past couple of weeks. Also in the video, you’ll meet Cameron Cruz, student and co-founder of the Astumbo Middle School Ukulele Club. After school, we catch Cameron jamin’ ‘Funky Town’ with his electric uke and he also tells us how he and some friends got the green light to bring their ukes to school to form Astumbo Middle School’s first ever ukulele club.

There Are 6 Responses So Far. »

  1. Comment by Jayton Okada on 12 January 2009:

    Props to JB! MAJOR Props to Cameron for taking initiative to enable music and creative expression for the youth in our island!

    This is what the younger generation needs.

    GMI is going to do some free clinics/demonstrations at the public high schools and middle schools with Matala and a few other bands!
    Matala was supposed to do one of their (it’s becoming kind of annual) clinics they do at GW High School before the X-mas break.. some things got in the way so yeah.

    We’re also planning on talking to the Superintendent and the appropriate parties to bring 2 bands to play at each middle and high school either this year or next school year.
    I’m also coordinating a week-long show at Skinner’s Plaza for all the numerous private school K-12 kids that hang there in the afternoon.
    1 band each day of the week.

    Evening shows at Skinner’s is where shows started for me, so it’s nice to go back and do something in the daytime with the kids there!

  2. Comment by Jayton Okada on 12 January 2009:

    “Is there any way we can clone more “JB” business owners and more kids like Cameron?”

    I’m working on a cloning machine, it’s getting harder being 3 places at once like I usually am :)

  3. Comment by Kel Muna on 13 January 2009:

    Jayton, just make 3: Governor Okada, Lt. Governor Okada and Congressman Okada.

  4. Comment by Kel Muna on 13 January 2009:

    Is there any way we can clone more “JB” business owners and more kids like Cameron?

    GREAT JOB, GUYS! Cameron – before there were no Ukes allowed in school. But now, because of you, not only are they allowed – there’s a club for Ukes?! You’ve taken the initiative to do something great and to change things for the better. Not even some adults are that brave. I hope you don’t stop doing things in the same way. Guam needs you more than you know. Keep it up.

    JB – your time, effort and passion have given these kids as well as Johnny something great to hold onto forever. Four stars, brotha! And let’s give credit to the staff and faculty of Astumbo Middle School for actually listening to what their students have to say. Great example to set!

    Whaddya know? A real-life positive effect. C’mon, people – Guam needs more of these guys!

    p.s. who was the old man behind the camera singing “Funkytown?”

  5. Comment by Jay Fejeran on 17 January 2009:

    This is a great story! Cameron, I am very proud of you buddy! This is an amazing accomplishment & I hope you keep it real and keep it going.

    This message is also to the staff and faculty of Astumbo Middle School who approved this program. Pass this to the other schools & let these kids lead the way for the future of Guam.

    JB, I love what your doing for these kids. Please always keep in contact with them and keep them on the right track. You were guided the same way once by friends, family and even strangers. These kids need you!

  6. Comment by JB on 28 January 2009:

    Thanks for all the love and support, guys! It was truly a blessing to have Don come along on this school visit and hopefully we can collaborate to do more projects in the community together!

    Regarding the ukulele workshops, I can honestly say that although it’s my face and name attached to it, the credit goes to our ENTIRE JB’s Ukulele Hut team because without them taking care of the store while I’m out, none of this could be possible. So hope you don’t mind me shouting-out our staff for all their hard work: Jennifer Neves, Dennis Nakamoto, Mar Quenga, Bo Martinez, and Dan Topasna.

    Also, the ukulele club advisors at the local schools, like Ms. Maka at Astumbo Middle School, should be applauded for making these opportunities available for us to do our thing. Like I mentioned to Don, it’s not the ones with the most “ABILITY” who necessarily make the most positive impact on the community, it’s the ones who have the most “AVAILABILITY”. Are we “available” to spend some TIME with people in need? “Available” to lend a helping hand? “Available” to offer a listening ear? “Available” to bless someone financially in some way? “Available” to pray for someone who’s lost hope?

    We all have our struggles in this day-and-age on our island, but one thing I am sure of is that there is always someone who’s worse off than us…and by being “available” to help them out in some way, it inevitably comes back around to uplift our own condition. It’s the universal law of “seed, time, and harvest”. Whatever seeds you plant and cultivate will come back to you ten times over. :-)

    Sorry for being so long-winded, but thanks again to Don and Guamology for being “available” to shed a true light on the mission of JB’s Ukulele Hut: “To promote a fun, positive, and DRUG-FREE island culture.”

    Keep strummin’!!

    JB

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