BIBAK :  Resilience and Resistance 
Published in Diversity Times
p. 8 Oct 2016. Vol.5 No. 10

Levy Abad (August 30, 2016)

I saw Manong (Elder) John Gano yesterday at the La Merage restaurant while Neri Dimacali and I were having a chat about how to organize consciousness raising events in the community. John Gano was one of the pioneers of the Filipino community. He was here in Winnipeg since 1967 and was one of the leading founders of Pilipino Association of Manitoba or PAM (1971). I asked Manong John Gano about BIBAK’s beginnings in Winnipeg. Manong John shared that BIBAK (Benguet, Ifugao, Bontoc, Apayao, Kalinga) was founded in April 1994 by him (Manong John Gano as Chair and Manong Conrado “Popoy” Gomez as Vice- Chair.  He explained that back in the 50s,  some students of the different tribes  in the five colleges in Baguio came together to form BIBAK as a mechanism for building unity amongst the different tribes, thus beginning the process of  bringing about Bodong (peace pact ) among warring tribes in the Cordillera. Today, according to Manong Enrico Ancheta and Evita Lammawin, there are more or less 300 BIBAK families in Manitoba.

with Manong John Gano

Members of BIBAK are descendants of the mountain people (Igorots) of Central Luzon who moved to the mountains to evade the Spanish colonialism (BIBAK MB website).  The Igorots are noted for resisting colonialism .  The tribes of the Cordillera are fierce and independent. They never tolerate encroachment into their ancestral lands. I remember back in the 80’s, I read and studied the life of Kalinga Chief Macli-ing Dulag, one of the heroes of the Cordilleras who defended their land. His famous quote, “How can you own that which outlives you?”

At the August 20, 2016 Manitoba Filipino Street Festival, the float of BIBAK won first prize in the float competition. BIBAK was also a participant of the First Manitoba Filipino Street Festival from the beginning.  I was reminded of the Kanyaw (a feast that lasts for a day, characterized by having the Pinikpikan,  a free flow of Spirits or Tapey and Igorot dancing to the sound of gongs- Source: BIBAKNET).  Manong John told me that the first performance of the Cordillerans here in Winnipeg happened in 1968. The event happened at the Dakota Motor Hotel during the New Year’s Ball and it was sponsored by the Filipino Canadian Association of Manitoba, the first Filipino group in Winnipeg, under the chairmanship of Dr. Guzman that time.

Enrico Ancheta BIBAK Chair 2004-2005

I want to know more about the leadership of the BIBAK through the years so I inquired from Manong John Gano (1994-2005) who succeeded him as head of BIBAK. According to Manong John, it was Enrico Ancheta (2004-2005), followed by Conrado “Popoy” Gomez (2006-2009), Alex Oyas (2010- 2011) and Evita Lammawin (2012-2013). Darwin Rufino (2014-2015) and BIBAK’s current Chair is Virginia Gayot who  assumed the leadership in 2016 up to the present (Source of years: Evita Lammawin).

Conrado Gomez Bibak chair 2006-2009

Listening to Manong John talk about the history of BIBAK made me reflect on the achievements of their community here in the city. I expressed to Manong John that BIBAK contributes a lot to the cultural exchange that is happening in the province by showcasing their indigenous culture like the Kanyaw.  It is worthy to note that in the 70’s, Manong Popoy Gomez, who became the third chair of BiBAK, was also decisive in the anti-dictatorship campaigns in the city. He was one of the founders of Philippine Support Group -PSG (1983) and later on was part of the struggle against racism in 1993 when a Filipino was wrongly accused of stealing something at the McPhillips Superstore. This resulted to a barricade of 1500 people in front of said Superstore.  Danny Gomez, a brother of Manong Popoy, was also part of PSG and the struggle against racism in the city. This only shows that even before BIBAK was formed, the community involvement already existed essentially in the character of its people.

In the area of provincial politics, according to Manong John, BIBAK was also instrumental in the nomination and election of Dr. Conrad Santos, who became the first elected Filipino in the Manitoba Provincial Legislature.  Manong John recalls that they really campaigned hard for Conrad Santos to win.

Evita Lammawin ,Chair 2012-2013

Another area where BIBAK’s contribution can be seen is in solidarity with the indigenous community of Manitoba. I personally witnessed the joint performance between the First Nations community of Winnipeg and BIBAK at PCCM (2014). Manong John Gano also informed me that there is an ongoing conversation between BIBAK and Chief Jim Bear of the Broken Head Ojibway Nation about sisterhood. An important program of BIBAK from its pre-1994 formation and up to now is the effort that they exert in helping out with the settlement of newly-arrived members of the community. Personally, what makes BIBAK special and unique is its love for folk and country songs and making sure that these are integrated in its
culture.

 Back in the 90s, I had the opportunity of going to Mankayan, Benguet to attend the Cordillera Festival. I also had the chance of staying in Trinidad where I performed a couple of Garth Brooks and Kenny Rogers’ songs in one of the small gatherings to the appreciation of the crowd. Here in the Winnipeg, I met and became friends with Daniel Tabo-oy, Art Abad and Darwin Rufino, members of the Gangsa Rhythm Band and founders of Cordillera Darters Association of Manitoba (CDAM), who love singing folk and country songs.  They have invited me to perform in at least three of their events:  February 2015 - BIBAK community organized the SAF44 tribute to the Mamasapano fallen soldiers were a number of the casualties were from the Cordillera; ADIVAY event in 2015 and the Valentines Fundraising Dinner Concert at the Canton Buffet on February 27, 2016.  Daniel and Darwin were among the performers when we organized the First Filipino Folk Music Festival at PCCM (2014 ) and in my “Dito sa Winnipeg” Concert fundraiser on June 19, 2015 at PCCM, when I ran for Winnipeg North.

Daniel Tabo-oy and  Darwin Rufino ,Chair 2014-2015

When I arrived in Winnipeg with my guitar, among the thoughts that ran through my mind was how to connect with the community. Meeting up with different folks led me to Manong John Gano.  Manong John arrived in Winnipeg in 1967 and was one of the pioneers of the community not tarnished with scandal.  He is known as a humble person not given to boasting. He has the capacity to listen and absorb what one is saying then able to pose some relevant questions about how to help with community issues. Manong John was a witness when the first Filipino organization, Fil-Canadian Association, was formed (1967 ). When Kayumanggi (1968) was organized and later on when the Philippine Association of Manitoba (1971 ) was born, Manong John was already there to support the community. Through the years Manong John is a humble servant of BIBAK and the Winnipeg Filipino community and his example is infectious. His influence pervades BIBAK and you can sense this humility in most of its leadership .  During the 2016 Manitoba Filipino Street Festival, one will notice Manong John leading the Kanyaw dance of the BIBAK community downtown. For somebody who loves folk and country music like me, I hold Manong John and the Bibak community dear just like a favourite song.  Agbiag Ti Cordillera ,Manong! Agbiag Ti Bibak!