Leah Lupao Amadiz: Igorot Filipina unveils indigenous heritage in New York
When Leah Lupao Amadiz represented New York in the Ginang Filipinas National pageant, she was not simply stepping into the spotlight. She was carrying with her the proud legacy of her Igorot roots, upheld through her involvement with BIBAK NY, an organization dedicated to preserving the culture of the Cordillera region.
BIBAK—an acronym for Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, and Mountain Province—was founded in 1994 and now counts approximately 112 active members in New York, said Leah, who serves as its public relations officer.
“Proudly Igorota, proudly Filipina,” she declared at the national Ginang competition held in Seattle-Tacoma, Washington.
The Igorot are an indigenous people of Northern Luzon in the Philippines. The name means “people from the mountains.” Leah herself bears the traditional name Gum An, passed down from her grandmother, in keeping with Igorot custom that honors ancestral lineage through names.
A Practical Nurse, Leah, 41, moved to New York in 2018 and works as a home health aide. She lives in South Richmond Hill with her 15-year-old daughter Mythea, while her 21-year-old son pursues college in the Philippines. Her husband, a U.S. Navy serviceman based in San Diego, was supportive of her decision to join the pageant.
“Even if it meant less time together, he supported me wholeheartedly and even drove me to the airport and picking me up after,” she shared.
Crowned as Ginang Filipinas Global 2025, Leah sees Ginang Filipinas as more than a beauty competition.
“The pageant gave me a platform to serve, advocate, and proudly share our culture. I met inspiring women, built friendships, and realized that together we can make a stronger impact. It was one of the most meaningful journeys of my life.”
Standing on stage among contestants with their own stories reaffirmed her purpose.
“This journey is not only about wearing a crown. It is about carrying forward the advocacy of cultural preservation and education, especially for the youth. Our traditions, dances, and stories are treasures that must live on. They are not just tales of the past but the living heartbeat of who we are as a people.”
She explained that BIBAK serves as a platform to showcase the Cordillera’s traditional dances, indigenous music, and attire. Beyond performances, the group also raises funds for scholarships, medical aid, and disaster relief efforts in the Philippines. At the same time, it continues to teach and preserve vital elements of Cordilleran heritage—such as the native language, gong-playing (gangsa), and cultural identity. She said BIBAK’s mission is to “promote, preserve, and pass on the rich indigenous heritage of the Cordillera region while fostering unity among Cordillerans in the diaspora.”
Beyond her involvement in BIBAK, Leah is also active in JCI (Junior Chamber International) New York, SOLIBAO (Solidarity of Igorots Based in America Organization, Inc.), and the Baguio Kindasan Lions Club International.
She firmly believes culture endures when it is shared.
“Tradition and identity will continue to thrive,” she said, “when we embrace them wholeheartedly—even if we’re thousands of miles away from home.” – Cristina DC Pastor
