SABRINA SALAS MATANANE

The fruit didn’t fall too far from the tree…

Bri, (as most of her friends and supporters call her) or Bing-Bing, (her nickname used only by her late Mother & Father) is a paradox in the best way. She is equal parts aggressive and shy. A self-described introvert who is also outgoing and confident enough to work the microphone and stage with grace and ease. 

 

Sabrina Salas Matanane was born in Guam on April 23, 1971. She is the daughter of Agat natives Lolita Palomo Abelon Salas, a retired federal civil servant and jack-of-all-trades; and Noberto Aguigui Salas, who spent more than 25 years in the U.S. Air Force. 

 

Bri says she gets her toughness and work ethic from Mom, who could bake and decorate the most delicious cakes then turn around and repair the family’s car and kitchen appliances. Kind-hearted but with the “you-better-get-out-of-the-room” temper to match. 

 

From Dad, the proud Senior Master Sergeant and Salas family self-taught piano player, and karaoke superstar, Bri received her fun, prankster and musical side. 

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Hard work pays off

Sabrina is an award-winning journalist, spending almost a quarter of a century in front of the camera and behind the scenes, investigating and reporting television news. 

 

After receiving her bachelor’s degree in electronic journalism from the University of Oklahoma, Bri first cut her professional teeth as an associate producer for KWTV-9 in Oklahoma City. Bri’s first major reporting gig? The bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City on April 19, 1995. The Oklahoma City bombing remains the deadliest act of homegrown terrorism in U.S. history. And the bright-eyed, ambitious young producer and reporter was in the thick of all it, covering and uncovering the facts to keep the public informed. 

 

This sticktoitiveness and dogged determination would remain the catalyst that fueled Sabrina’s fire for more than two decades in broadcast news. Bri became a household name and the most trusted face on Guam. She wrote, directed, produced and reported the news to Guam’s residents, appearing in our living rooms every night. Bri helped news station KUAM-TV8 grow exponentially; from having a loyal but local viewership to a global audience. 

 

After more than two decades in journalism, Bri went from one form of serving the public to another: She ran for Lt. Governor of Guam with Congressman Michael San Nicolas in 2022. Bri jumped from the frying pan into the fire…and never looked back! 

 

Although she and the Congressman were unsuccessful in their quest for Adelup, Bri knew she wanted to help our people in a leadership capacity in our government. In 2024, Bri chose to run for Senator in the 38th Guam Legislature and was successful, coming in second overall among the Republican majority, beating out some incumbent stalwarts. 

 

Senator Sabrina Salas Matanane has just completed the first half of her first term as a Senator and the Chairperson of the Committee on Health and Veterans Affairs. 

 

Under her leadership, Senator Bri appropriated more funding for the Guam Memorial Hospital than previous healthcare committee chairs, allowing for serious improvements to the physical structure of the facility. 

 

Electrical subpanels are finally being addressed and soon will be repaired. Old chillers have been replaced with brand new ones, beginning the prevention of mold in the health facility. Even something as basic as cleaning and water blasting the exterior of the hospital was never scheduled. Senator Bri pushed for cleaning, for capital improvements to happen as soon as possible and to replace GMH management. She made it happen!

 

Senator Bri has successfully passed the Medicaid Enhancement Act into law, giving  Medicaid patients greater access to quality healthcare by Guam’s providing tax incentives to medical professionals. Her bill to give Guam’s military veterans a greater voice also became public law, giving real teeth to the Guam’s Veterans Commissions which will ultimately benefit Guam’s veterans. 

 

Senator Bri is also working to stand up Guam’s cannabis industry, starting with Bill 254-38 which would removing restrictions in the current law by aligning cannabis with other agricultural crop requirements on Guam. It’s been over a decade since Guam’s medical cannabis bill was passed into law and 7 years since recreational use of cannabis was made legal. Senator Bri knows it’s time for this industry to get a kickstart, including helping those suffering from cancer and other debilitating diseases who are in need of pain management. 

 

And Bri’s not done! Senator Sabrina Salas Matanane is running once again to continue the good work for the people of Guam.