Who We Are
Jenny Bawer Young
Jenny Bawer Young is the Master Weaver, co-founder, and driving force behind Kalingafornia Laga, a women’s collective dedicated to preserving and promoting traditional Kalinga culture in the Bay Area. Her goal is the same as the goals of her ancestors: to sing, dance, weave, and preserve the ancient arts that made the Kalinga people special. Isolated from the outside world for centuries in the deep mist of the Cordillera, these practices need to be shared to those who want to celebrate the traditional way of the Indigenous People.
She was born and cradled by a family that bears the Kalinga Traditional way of life. She is the daughter of Maria and Cirilo “Sapi” Bawer, who is internationally recognized as a Culture Bearer of Indigenous Knowledge, Skills, and Practices of the Kalinga people. Since childhood, Jenny’s parents and grandparents passed their knowledge and practice of Kalinga traditional arts—particularly laga (backstrap weaving), music, chants, and dances—to her siblings.
She learned the painstaking and time consuming tradition that passed down through her mother’s family. She has been weaving since the age of 10. Her first item was a belt. Her products are not only authentic, but in high demand. Each item is created without the use of a loom most Westerners are exposed to; instead, they are created with single strands of thread and sweat, which make each item unique. Tapis (kain/skirts), be-e (G-strings), and blankets are important reminders of the tradition that forms a strong bond between tribal members in the Mountain Provinces of Northern Luzon.
Jenny has also performed and conducted Kalinga traditional arts workshops in her native Cordillera region, as well as in Metro Manila, Switzerland, Germany, and the US. She has toured as a dancer who has dazzled crowds with her renditions of Banga, Salip, and Chalichog. Since immigrating to California with her family in 2006, Jenny has been a valuable resource on Kalinga culture and heritage for the Pilipino American community, especially in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Holly Calica
Holly Calica is the co-founder of Kalingafornia Laga alongside Jenny Bawer Young. For 40 years, she’s been active as a practicing visual artist, an educator and a published poet. Her experience as an educator, artivist, dancer and herbalist influences her current work. She promotes healers of color, traditional arts and practices, and budding herbalists. She now focuses on ancient healing practices as a means to bring balance, clarity and strength to individuals and communities. Her collaborative focus is to provide holistic care in private practice, clinical work and educational forums.
The foundation of her well-being is grounded in traditional Philippine and African Diaspora dance, her on-going community involvement and her international solidarity work. She dedicated years of performing with Palibuniyan Kulintang Ensemble and dancing in San Francisco’s Carnival with Fogo Na Roupa and other contingents. Her leadership in preserving ancient traditions is integral to the progress of promoting laga (Kalinga backstrap weaving) in the San Francisco Bay Area and the building of traditional canoes alongside California Natives and Bangka Journey: Balik Sa Dagat. With a 40 year history of visual arts in the community, her latest exhibit was “Guardians of the Waters” in 2019.
The following teachers made a huge impact on her life’s direction and work. At this time she would like to publicly thank these Ancestors: Mestre Carlos Aceituno, Master Danongan Kalanduyan, Manang Maria Bawer of Mabilong, Lubuagan, Philippines, Akon Darryl “Babe” Wilson and Manu Koreha of the Maori Healers.
2023 Current and Active
Kalingafornia Laga Members
Brenda Bautista
Terry Bautista
Lauren Benetua
Caroline Cabading
Grace Dueñas
Karen Pennrich
Porling Fleurdeliza Rabara