Messages for the 40th Anniversary

Hello BIBAK San Diego,

Happy 40th Anniversary. I would like to express my gratitude to our current President Carlo and his fellow officers to keeping us all connected in spite of the the lockdown and restrictions resulting from COVID19. Also for generously accepting to extend their term in office until things get back to normal.

Just like everyone else, Igorots are now practically found all over the world for want of adventure, job opportunities or a different kind of life. And where there are enough kailians gathering to bond or share homesickness, a BIBAK organization is bound to form. When I first arrived in San Diego in 1970, I didn't know any kailians in town. Fortunately, John and Luz Pulsingay with their three small kids just arrived from the East Coast. Mostly Luz, her kids and I kept each other company while John and Ed were out to sea on their respective assignments. I was sure there were some fellow Igorots around but there was no BIBAK organization at the time. Then we moved to Japan, Alameda, and Hawaii consecutively. While we were in Hawaii, there were a handful of us enough to form BIBAK Hawaii with Angel Pawid as our first president.

In 1981, we were back in San Diego. I was so happy to learn that BIBAK San Diego was just organized, the first set of officers were elected with John Pulsingay as president. Many new arrivals, most military families. Edwin Abeya was elected next president and Marites and I both served as secretaries. It was my pleasure to also serve as president from 1991 to 1992. We have come a long way since our humble beginnings. We grew along the way. We have grown and expanded to keep our meetings and gatherings interesting to look forward to. The youth have their own set of officers, youth oriented activities, dance and play the gongs. We have athletic meets to also remind us of the kind of sports we love, There are events to recognize the senior trailblazers who can now step back and watch the younger folks lead. You have the energy and creativity to move and make things happen. But really, it is the combined effort of the leadership of president, the officers, and the participation of the members to make the organization alive and thriving.

We, Igorots, come together because we share this unique,special history and culture. Our forefathers fiercely guarded, maintained their independence and lifestyle in the mountains for as long as they could all these centuries. In the past 120 years alone, slowly but surely, modernization, technology has already caught up with even the most remote towns in our beloved mountain country, How much longer can we keep our culture alive as we know and hold dear now. Will there be accurate accounts written about us? Will our history become legends or myths? In the next 100 years, the reference to us as "Igorots" may have undergone some changes. May even be unrecognizable. Changes are inevitable. Part of our human evolution.

So let us enjoy every moment now, live, celebrate, be grateful for every BIBAK chance to gather and reconnect.

Lily Ritarita

Greetings all as we acknowledge BIBAK San Diego’s 40th!

Throughout the years, BIBAK San Diego has been actively getting together. Within the group, and with other BIBAK organizations, as well as other social groups. With gratitude, I salute Carlo as he puts things together and skillfully sits in the cockpit as we continue to do so.

As a social group, of significance to me personally is what I will call the Rohr Park years. For so long, we met at the park and spent most of our Saturday and Sunday afternoons, and holidays. Sometimes in the rain. Unbelievable that this came about because of volleyball. But it was something that teens and seniors were able to participate in and have fun. That the teens also came and spent their time was what I was mostly grateful for. Parents were able to keep them in real time view and away from the risks of being idle. And with the younger generations, they were practically in the park all year round and readily available for gong sessions. My daughters grew into adulthood coming from these Rohr Park years.

Regrettably, these weekend gatherings became less and very less frequent. I believe the drastic decrease of new members had a significant impact and that the closure of the US Naval Base in Subic Bay in ’92 was a big reason. Recruiting in the Philippines for service in the US navy came to an end. And with it, the chances of parents and siblings. A lot of us in the service then were able to sustain the attendance as we were mostly free on weekends and holidays.

Very fortunately, the other big pipeline remains open. Although the system is currently more restrictive, nurses continue to make it. But the numbers are definitely down. And with many members working throughout the week, the Rohr Park years will continue to be just memories to be cherished.

But I still have hope that we can have even a little of what we did back then as many of us from that period are now grandparents. And that we will be able to gather our grandchildren together more often.

With the infusion of blood from the motherland greatly diminished, growth now comes mainly from within. The challenge to teach Igorot ways that we can became more so as it starts mostly at ground zero. But this is another reason BIBAK San Diego exists. The Igorot culture and how we can make the next generations be aware of them, and ideally, learn some.

The pandemic is holding us hostage but we do our best to go forward. We have to. 

And when we’re able, we will continue to gather in numbers. We need to. Thank you Carlo for flying us through.

And I thank you for your time.

Jhun