Put Guahu
About Me
Håfa adai! My name is Schyuler Lujan (Familian Påli’) and I am the owner of Bula Guinaiya, where I design and create Chamorro cards and stationery that celebrate our people, language and culture. I started this shop to create what I couldn’t find - handcrafted paper goods that bring the Chamorro language and culture to life, offering everything from cute and fun designs to heartfelt pieces deeply rooted in our traditions.
Celebrating the Chamorro people, language and culture
I design each card with a modern look in mind, but always with a deep connection to Chamorro culture and the Mariana Islands.
Some cards focus on language—using fonts, colors, and layouts to show off the beauty and rhythm of Chamorro. Others are more illustration-based, touching on shared experiences, memories, or little moments. Some are playful, others more heartfelt—but all come from a place of love for our people, islands and language.
Chamorro Front, English Back
Every card features a sentiment written entirely in Chamorro, as a way to celebrate the language and give it new life. To ensure that these cards can be shared with everyone, there’s always an English translation on the back.
Mafa’tinas Kånnai
Handmade
Each card is made with care in our home studio here in Portland, Oregon—designed, printed, trimmed, folded, and packaged by hand. We use thick 88lb coated cardstock for a smooth, deluxe feel, paired with a 95lb bright white envelope for a polished finish.
Taimanu Matatuhun Esti
How This Started
The idea for Bula Guinaiya began during the pandemic, when a friend asked our language group if we could email each other in Chamorro as a way to practice. Wanting more time away from screens, I asked if anyone wanted to send letters through the postal service instead.
A large number of people signed up, so I decided to send postcards. A week later I designed my first card with Bula Guinaiya (lots of love) as the sentiment.
After that first design, I continued making and sending cards as a hobby and was astonished by people’s reactions.
One favorite moment was watching my aunt in her 80s laugh in wide-eyed disbelief as she read Hu guaiya hao mås ki råmen (I love you more than ramen) on a card illustrated with a ramen bowl.
Another was hearing the excitement as my younger cousins saw cards with beloved items and characters from their childhood.
I will also never forget the big smile on her face as a speaker from our language group held up a card featuring her favorite word, toktoktoggak.
But perhaps the most touching response came when I gifted sets of greeting cards to family members for Christmas—only to hear each auntie firmly declare she wasn’t going to use them. Instead, they were going to keep the cards for themselves, as they were too special to give away.
Business Launch 2024
As I watched people across different generations connect with our language through the greeting cards, I realized I was onto something special and wanted to make my cards available to everyone.
With support from my partner Jay and encouragement from family and friends, I launched Bula Guinaiya in August 2024 at the first annual Marianas Festival in Oregon.
I’m excited to continue growing this small business, expanding my handmade product offerings and sharing more ways for us to celebrate our language and culture.
I hope you’ll join me on this journey - one card, sticker, or notebook at a time.
Bula Guinaiya. Lots of love.
-Schyuler :)