WHAT IS BIBAK?
BIBAK is an acronym of the five sub-provinces of the original Mountain Province in the Cordillera mountain range: Benguet, Ifugao, Bontoc, Apayao, Kalinga. The indigenous peoples are most often referred to as “Igorots”. Elders will refer to themselves by their ethnolinguistic affinity or their ancestral origin such as IKaling, Ibalois, Kankanaey, Ipugo, Ifuntok, etc.
Mountain Province was divided into 4 provinces in 1966 with Bontoc retaining the “Mountain Province” name. Kalinga and Apayao became their own respective provinces in 1995. In 1987, Abra was included in a newly formed Cordillera Administrative Region owing to the Tingguian indigenous people in that province. For this reason, various sister organizations around the world are named BIMAK, BIMAKA, BIMAAK to include Abra as well as the “Mountain Province” name.
BIBAK of Northern California is proud to announce that we are in the process of gaining 501c3 non profit status (rather than 501c4) so that our group can be exempt from taxes and can better contribute to charities, events, and fundraisers. We represent the California counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Fresno, Kings, Marin, Monterey, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano and Sonoma.
The mission of BIBAK NC: Under Article II of our bylaws:
- Promote the arts, culture and traditions of Filipinos coming from the mountain provinces of the Philippines, namely, Benguet, Ifugao, Bontoc (Mountain Province), Apayao and Kalinga;
- Provide a cultural transition for new immigrants to America from the said provinces and to provide relief or assistance to members who may find themselves in a distressed situation;
- Constitute a forum for the discussion of vital issues affecting the well-being of the members, including those touching upon relations among the members themselves; and
- Undertake projects of a civic, social, cultural and educational character in communities within its area of operation
Check out our Timeline or Philanthropy page to see some of what we’re all about!