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From the 1st San Diego Canao
The Canao is a feast for tribe members and visitors to celebrate an Igorot religious rite with food, song, and dance. In a book called, "The Making of the Igorot", the author Finin shares about what happened when an American man named Dean Worcestor, who was in charge of monitoring the Bontoc sub-provincial area, noticed this feast happening across different villages he visited. To keep better tabs on the greater area, and bring harmony among the neighboring villages, Dean decided to have an American version of Canao where he brought the different villages together so they can see how similar they are, especially in their customs and in how they celebrate through dance. Today, with most Igorots not practicing old religious rites and customs as they commit to mostly Christian religions, they still keep the tradition of celebration by gangsa playing and dancing, and teaching the craft to the next generation of Igorots. BIBAK San Diego held their first Canao in 1994- then subsequent grander versions in 2008, 2014, and 2023.
The First San Diego Canao
The First San Diego Canao
The first San Diego Canao was in April 30th, 1994 at Town & Country Hotel in Presidio Hall during President Nad Kollin's term. The Dance Troupe that organized the event was headed by the VP of Cultural Affairs Charles Enciso as Co-chairperson to Joan Carling. Dance coordination was conducted by Modesta Amiling, and the event was supported by secretary/treasurer Edith Esteban. Photo above is from the event and is provided by the Amiling family.
Click here to see the program from the Canao.
Below is an image from the July 1994 Mountaineer Newsletter that entails a letter from Mr. Kollins and his thoughts on the Canao. It also includes the Letter to the Editors section that shows our partnerships with BIBAK LA and St. Matthews.
2008 Grand Canao
2008 Grand Canao
President Jessie Robbie Mina organized and ventured out to promote the first Grand Canao to be held by BIBAK in San Diego in 2008. Over 700 people gathered at the Sheraton Hotel & Marina in San Diego to meet up and enjoy performances of traditional dances from the Kalinga province and the Apayao province dances performed by BIBAK PNW Youth; and the Ifugao province, the Benguet province, and the Bontoc province dances performed by the San Diego Youth. Members of BIBAK San Diego, especially the youth, have done performances for the San Diego community in several FilAm events, raising awareness of the Igorot culture and ethnic group in both the Filipino-American community and throughout San Diego.
The event was made possible with help from the Steering committee leaders Diane Balitang and Kirin Macapugay (Decoration), Patrick McDonough (Documentation/Photography), Malou Becasen (Financial), Mark Leo (Information), Jessie Robbie Mina (Welcome Dinner), Marie Badol and Jones Domingo (Saturday Brunch), Edith Esteban (Sunday Lunch), and Jackie Fianza (Souvenir), Malou Becasen and Moding Amiling (Registration), and Oliver Tanacio and Matthew Leo (Clean Up)- and their committee members (full list of names here and here.)
Videos: Canao 2008
2012 Youth Canao
2012 Youth Canao
In 2012, Kirin Macapugay organized a Youth Canao with support from ACTA’s Living Culture Grants Program, the Kalingas North America Network, and BIBAK San Diego, where youth of families from San Diego, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Maryland were invited to learn of backstrap weaving, a method used by all the tribes, and use of Kalinga bamboo percussion instruments.
2014 Grand Canao
2014 Grand Canao
President Jackie Fianza's term facilitated the next Grand Canao in 2014. A welcome dinner was held on the first night at St. Matthew's Episcopal church in National City complete with dancing, and where local artists played for guests. The next day, the main Gala event in Town and Country Hotel was held where BIBAK San Diego performed Igorot traditional dances. There were over 700 guests in attendance. A lunch was held the next day at the park for more music, food, and dancing before our guests left town.
Pictures at the event:
Owaynasdi Photography
Jessie Robbie Mina
Grand Canao for 2020
Grand Canao for 2020
Due to the COVID Pandemic, the Canao for 2020 was postponed until 2023.
This was the letter addressing the community about the situation by President Carlo.
"Good evening BIBAK SD family!
Due to the uncertainty of the COVID -19 pandemic, our Grand Cañao scheduled for July 11, 2020 is canceled. We will reschedule it for next year to coincide with the 40th year of BIBAK SD if everything is back to normal. For those of you who already paid for your tickets, you will get refunded.
All our BIBAK activities for the rest of this year are also suspended. We will reconsider if and when the ban for group gatherings will be lifted.
Let us all focus on our safety by staying home and being proactive in observing precautions in the meantime. Let us help each other get through this as BIBAK SD family. Like I’ve mentioned in my previous post, let me know if you or someone you know need assistance.
Looking forward to the containment of this pandemic so we can be with each other again!
Stay safe, stay home, and enjoy family bonding😁
Your President"
Luckily, festivities continued and held at Town & Country's Palm Hall.
10000000_5113901161985396_2726133569877437324_n.mp4The youth was featured on Damag Pinoy explaining their preparation in the coming Canao 2023.
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