Benguet Ifugao Bontoc Apayao/Abra Kalinga

”Simply knowing what your purpose is and your priority when it comes to having a dinner and dance fundraising event. Consider the people, the food, the music, and how you can make the event an enjoyable and memorable one. Fundraising is not all about money that you will raise but also the fulfillment that comes after.”

Though canao/kanyaw is deeply rooted in the spiritual i.e. offering or sacrificing an animal either for thanksgiving and/or appeasing the ‘anitos’ or ‘kabunyan’, in modern times, it is now a social gathering strengthening the ties within the community.

BIBAK BC Members banded together along with the Benguet Society of British Columbia organization on the afternoon of June 24, 2023. Both organizations joined other Filipino performances and other exhibitionists throughout the day.

This year’s annual BIBAK BC Valentines Dinner & Dance for 2023

BIBAK BC Christmas Party 2022

Annual BIBAK Christmas Party culminating in an eventful 2022. Though the celebrations may have been held on a date prematurely to the official holiday, the event still represents the symbol and celebration of Christmas for the BIBAK members and Igorots of the Vancouver region.

An event that is celebrated by young and old and visitors from even outside the community, all are welcome to gather and dance and sing with elders and children alike.

Celebrating the BIBAK Grand Canao and Anniversary 2022

Cañao In A Nutshell; Yesterady And Today

“The people of the Cordilleras have been practicing the age-old socio-religious ritual, Cañao or Kanyaw. Traditionally held as a thanksgiving rite to their God, Kabunian. It usually involves the sacrifice of animals (e.g pig, chicken, carabao) led by a village elder or a native priest. The bile of the sacrificed animal is read as this plays a significant role in the fulfillment of the ritual.

Different ethnolinguistic groups within the region have varying terms for this ceremony as they also have several reasons that call for the occurrence or observance of Cañao.

A family may hold one namely for someone's healing from an illness, for the celebration of birth, a marriage or death. A community for a bountiful harvest, crop protection and abundance or for well-being in general.

The second annual Benguet Society of British Columbia Adivay for 2022!

“Adivay” is an Ibaloi word that means “coming together”

A cultural celebration that brings together entire villages, communities and people, even if we are abroad.

Featuring the various variations of dances or “Tayaw” from each Municipality as well as booths that reflect what make each municipality special.

“In Bontok society, childcare is seen as a cooperative effort between the wife and husband. Both males and females are distinguished identities relevant to the child's growing years. Men are expected to be around, especially during a difficult childbirth and as they grow and learn the right way to live amongst their society.

Fathers have also been recognized as the decision-makers in the family. In Cordillera region, the decision-makers primarily comprise older men among the Ibaloy, Kankana-ey, and Bontok. In some cases, they also came from distinguished families with functions of directing, advising the head of families.The anum'nemen' or impamana (Ibaloy) or lakay or amam-a ( Kankana-ey and Bontok) are composed of men whose primary function is to settle disputes between person and families. They also settle cases of conflict between neighboring communities. In general, they are seen as the decision-making council of certain ili, a truly distinguished position in the community.

Naragsak nga aldaw iti amin nga Tattang, Ama, Papa, Daddy, ken Lolo dita!! Ay-ayaten da kayo!

References:Prill-Brett, J. (2009). Tradition and Transformation: Studies on Cordillera Indigenous Culture”

— caption by One Cordillera (via. https://www.instagram.com/one.cordillera/ )

BIBAK BC’s Annual Christmas Party of which was in hiatus since 2020 was brought to culmination on December 11th

After nearly 2 long years of not being able to gather with fellow Kailians during the Christmas Holidays it was a welcome experience to celebrate the birth of Christ in fellowship, truly an Adivay!