Author
Tanya was born in 1974 to a Chamorro Army soldier and a South Korean beauty, Un Cha Kang (Chargualaf). Her father is the late Siñot Tedy Gamboa Chargualaf. Tanya is the eldest child of three. Her mom and brothers, Theo and Sonny K. Chargualaf reside on Guam with their families. Sonny created the stunning art for Sirena: A Mermaid Legend from Guam and Attitude 13: A Daughter of Guam's Collection of Short Stories.
Tanya is the product of a Guam public school education. She graduated in 1992 from George Washington High School. She attended the University of Guam on a Merit Scholarship. She graduated with honors with a BA in English and Secondary Education in 1996. Tanya had an eight-year-career as an English and Creative Writing teacher at John F. Kennedy High School; working proudly with the GCC Tourism Academy. She taught alongside her late father, a Chamorro teacher and brother, Sonny--an art teacher.
Tanya has had fictional work featured in Latte Magazine, and articles in Marine Drive Magazine and Guam Business Magazine. She received the Who's Who Among America's Teachers award in 2000 and 2002. Her short story, Yes, I Am., will be included in an anthology featuring Pacific Islander writers, USO's on Freeways. The University of Guam's Storyboard 6 features two of her poems, Seahorse and From Oklahoma to Heaven (under her maiden name, Tanya Kang Chargualaf), 1999; Storyboard 11 includes Tanya's short stories, Charity Case and YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED, 2011; and Storyboard 12 includes her short story, Reach, 2012.
Tanya married her childhood friend, Henry Taimanglo--a Navy Chief, in 2004 in the village of Asan, Guam. They moved from sunny San Diego and are slooshing it up in Washington with their son and daughter. With her love for all things literature, Tanya is hoping to have a novel published. She will continue to work with her artist brother, Sonny to bring all Guam legends and some new characters in their unique children’s book format.
Tanya is a proud military spouse. She enjoys time with family and friends—Chamorro barbecue, anyone? When she’s not writing, Tanya is keeping up with her favorite movies, books and managing her status as a domestic goddess.
Tanya is the Former Secretary and Board Member of the non-profit organization, CHE'LU which strives to promote the Chamorro culture through education.
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