McDonalds Thanksgiving Day Parade

BIBBAK Illinois participated in this year's McDonalds Thanksgiving Day Parade in Chicago as part of the Philippine American Cultural Foundation (PACF). A special thanks to the following people who braved the early 40+ degree temperature and the crack-of-dawn start time:

 Participants:

• Pablo Aquisan
• Tara Aquisan
• Kate Aquisan
• Ray Baguilat
• Rae Joyce Baguilat
• Raul Buendia
• Rexcrisanto Delson
• Michelle Delson
• Caryl Ewangan
• Rowan Ewangan
• Rene Golocan
• Lalane Golocan
• Cassandra Hamilton
• Heaven Jose
• Angel Jose
• Rileagh Jose
• Lita Longbas
• Rosalinda Longbas
• Daryl Longbas
• Munsten Maslian
• Raquel Opiana
• Mark Opiana
• Stephan Opiana
• Leah Pataras
• Royce Pataras
• Bella Pataras
• Alpha Sadcopen

Alpha Sadcopen - Recipient of a College Scholarship

Congratulations to Alpha Sadcopen, who received a partial college scholarship from the Philippine Medical Association today in Westmont, IL.  Joining her today were her mother and brother, Tina & Herbert and the family of BIBBAK-IL officers Rex & Michelle Delson.  Of the four recipients who received this year's PMA scholarship, Alpha holds the highest grade point average, which earns her the #1 ranking of all recipients this year.

Her place of origin, the Mountain Province, has a history of people earning great academic achievements.  This sense of achievement is magnified even more when Igorots from there excel here in America, as Alpha is doing.  It is an exemplary and inspiring statement of what Igorots can achieve through hard work and intelligence.

Alpha recently graduated from Bolingbrook High School earlier this year and has just begun her college studies here in Chicago at Columbia University.  BIBBAK Illinois is very proud of her accomplishments and extends all of our best wishes to her.  Again, congratulations Alpha!

Alpha receiving her scholarship check from PMA members

Alpha with her proud mother, Tina Sadcopen

BIBBAK-IL Donates to Benguet State University

Gerald Batanes & Dr. Maria Luz D. Fang-asan

Last year BIBBAK-IL raised money to support the ongoing efforts of preserving our Igorot / Cordilleran heritage that is taking  place in the Cordilleras by people of the Benguet State University and others.

Prior to partaking in a missionary trip in the Philippines, our Vice-President, Gerald Batanes, visited the Cordilleras where he met with Dr. Maria Luz D. Fang-asan of the Benguet State University to deliver our donation.  It was recieved with much appreciation and delight.  

Along with the money, was a letter of appreciation for those involved in various projects involving the preservation of our heritage that read:

Letter dated July1, 2012
Addressed to: 
Dr. Maria Luz D. Fang-asan
Benguet State University
Benguet, Philippines

 Dear Dr. Fang-asan,

Preserving the indigenous knowledge of our Igorot heritage is very important to us here in the Chicagoland area of the United States.  We applaud the efforts of everyone there who are working hard to preserve the indigenous culture of our Igorot / Cordilleran ancestry.  The work you do there will surely touch the lives of many Cordillerans throughout the world for generations to come.

On behalf of BIBBAK-Illinois, please accept our donation as a token of our appreciation for everything you are doing there.  We hope it can help your current Cordilleran Dance Powwow project.  The video you sent us this past December of those involved with this project was received with great happiness and enthusiasm by everyone here in BIBBAK-Illinois.  Please keep up the fantastic work!

All our best,

Rexcrisanto Delson

President-BIBBAK Illinois

Gerald Batanes

Vice President - BIBBAK Illinois