CANAO
(2003) photo by Ben Macapugay
Historically, the Canao is a feast to celebrate an Igorot religious rite with food, song, gangsa (gongs) and dance. In the early 1900s, an American man named Dean Worcestor, who was in charge of monitoring the Bontoc sub-provincial area, noticed the canaos happening across different villages he visited. Dean decided to host a bigger scale version of the canao by inviting the different villages in hopes to foster harmony amongst them (Finin, "The Making of the Igorot"). It was a chance for the villages to see how similar they were, especially in their celebrations. Though most Igorots today do not typically practice old religious rites and customs, playing gangsa and dancing continued on. These skills are an heirloom that have been passed onto the next generation of Igorots in San Diego thanks to initiative of the Uncles and Aunties who took their time to teach the youth. BIBAK San Diego had their first Canao in 1994, then held subsequent grander versions in 2008, 2014, and 2023.
Photo from the first San Diego Canao in 1994.
Uncle Preston teaching the Youth (2003) photo by Ben Macapugay
The 1st BIBAK 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.
It was not until 2007 under President Jessie Robbie Mina's term that San Diego attempted hosting a Grand Canao open to folks outside the Southern California area.
Image 1. An image from the July 1994 Mountaineer Newsletter that entails a letter from Mr. Kollins and his thoughts on the Canao.
Image 2. An image from the same July 1994 Newsletter that shows a letter from Mr. Wandag in BIBAK LA about the Canao.
Photos arranged by Octavio Balangcod.
2008 Grand Canao
President Jessie Robbie Mina organized and promote a Grand Canao in San Diego, their first bigger-scaled program, in 2008. Over 700 people gathered at the Sheraton Hotel & Marina in San Diego to meet up and enjoy performances of: 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 done by the San Diego Youth.
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. Igorot Youth 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.
photo by Jessie Robbie Mina
2014 Grand Canao
In July 18, 19, and 20, 2014, in Jackie Fianza's term, BIBAK San Diego invited hundreds of brothers and sisters of the Igorot collective from around the world to gather San Diego for it's 2nd Grand Canao. Festivities began at St. Matthew's Episcopal church in National City with a Welcome Party where local artists performed. The party the next night at the Gala in Town and Country Hotel where BIBAK San Diego performed traditional dances with over 700 guests in attendance. On the 3rd day, guests were bid farewell at Rohr park with more music, food, and dancing to close out the festivities.
We were happy to have everyone at the event and hope everyone had a good time. Thanks again to those who were there with us and who helped make the Canao happen.
flyer by Jessie Robbie Mina
DAY 1 & 2 PICS
photo by Meanne
image by Octavio Balangcod
2023 Canao
The BIBAK San Diego 2023 Grand Canao was celebrated in Town & Country hotel with over 700 in attendance with all cultural performances being performed by BIBAK SD members.
