First Filipino mayor and ‘influencer’ in Guam dies at 94

Zamora is also considered Guam’s first “influencer” for having hosted the “Buhay Pinoy” weekly television show of PBS Guam from 1976 to 2006.

Prospero “Popoy” C. Zamora, the first Filipino municipal mayor in the U.S. territory of Guam died on May 3 in Cavite, Philippines. He was 94 years old.

“We express our deepest condolences at the passing of a colleague of the Mayors’ Council of Guam,” the Mayors’ Council stated in a Wednesday press release.

Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero also sent condolences to Zamora’s family, citing his work to support the Filipino community in Guam and breaking ground in local politics.

Zamora was elected assistant commissioner in November 1972 by the residents of Dededo, the most populated village in Guam and became mayor in 1976. In addition to serving as the first mayor of Dededo, Zamora was also elected delegate to the Guam Constitutional Convention in 1977.

Prospero “Popoy” Zamora, 1928-2022.

Zamora is also considered Guam’s first “influencer” for having hosted the “Buhay Pinoy” weekly television show of PBS Guam from 1976 to 2006. The show ran on PBS Guam KGTF Channel 12 from 1976 to 2006 and around the world on ABS-CBN and The Filipino Channel from 2005-2006.

The show covered cultural events, special appearances from visiting Filipino leaders and dignitaries, entertainers, and information for relief drives to help victims of several calamities in the Philippines.

Zamora also founded the Blood Exchange Center of Guam from 1976-1982, a nonprofit humanitarian project, which helped fill the critical shortage of human blood supply.

For his services to Filipinos on Guam, he received the Presidential Award for Outstanding Filipino Overseas from Philippines President Fidel Ramos in 1996.

Along with his groundbreaking show, Zamora was a busy public servant on Guam. In 1973, he was elected commissioner of Dededo. In 1977. Zamora also spearheaded many events for Guam’s Filipino community, organizing numerous activities including the first Philippine Independence Ball in 1984 and the Pilipino Amateur Basketball League and the Filipino World War II Veterans Luncheon.