Miagaowanons of Northern California

A non-profit organization

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The Miagaowanons of Northern California (MNCA)


The San Francisco Bay Area has been home to many Miagaowanons for many years. Miagaowanons first came to the area in the early 1900’s to work as laborers and military servicemen. Being from Miagao was the common bond that unified these early migrants and the easily community became a source of support for each of them.

As new Miagaowanons migrated to area, the Miagaowanon community was always a resource. The community was always ready to help the new immigrant with job referrals, moral support and in some cases, temporary housing and financial support, thus helping the new immigrant ease the burden of adjusting to his new environment.

Weekend family parties are a common occurrence within the community and served as a venue for socializing and for playing mahjong, Miagao’s favorite past time. More importantly, these parties made Miagaowanons reach out to each other on regular basis and strengthened the bond between the people. Miagaowanons also gathered together at least once a year for one whole day to celebrate their town’s religious fiesta. With the efforts of several individuals, the celebration has become a tradition that has grown ever since. This tradition may be deemed as the first informal organization of the Miagaowanons of Northern California (MNCA).

MNCA was formally founded in 1994 in an effort to host the 3rd Annual Miagao Reunion Dinner and Dance. The organization was officially incorporated as a California non-profit organization in 2000. The organization was also officially granted a Section 501c (3) (tax-exempt) status by the IRS and Franchise Tax Board in 2001. Today, MNCA have more than 400 members comprised of Miagao-born persons as well as Miagaowanon Americans, their spouses and descendants. Members live in the greater San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento and Stockton areas.

The organization’s main objectives are
  • To foster unity and harmony among Miagaowanons in Northern California, their relatives and friends, Miagaowanons in other part of the United States, and in Miagao in Iloilo, Philippines.
  • To preserve, and promote the religious customs, traditions and cultural heritage of its members.
  • To celebrate and share the Annual Feast of the Santo Tomas de Villanova every 22nd of September of every year (or the weekend closest to September 22 of that year).
  • To initiate, assist in charitable endeavor by providing a community fund for the organization’s projects.