Bakunawa Market Brings Filipino Culture + Ancestral Healing to Barrio Logan

This October, a new kind of wellness gathering is rising in San Diego — one rooted not in trends, but in ancestral memory and collective renewal.

Launching during Filipino American History Month, Bakunawa Market makes its debut October 18–19 in Barrio Logan, offering a free two-day experience that blends art, spirituality, and culture in celebration of Filipino identity and healing.

"Bakunawa Market was born from my personal journey of reclaiming my Filipino American identity beyond assimilation," says Ka'ila Rojales, the market's founder. "Inspired by the Babaylan, the healers and spirit-keepers of pre-colonial Philippines, the market honors the wisdom that once guided our people before it was silenced by colonization. It's a community offering – a sacred space to remember our roots, reconnect with ancestral wisdom, and restore our spiritual balance."

The market will feature a diverse group of over 30 makers, artists, and healers, including the Bakla Collective, which highlights Queer Filipinx artists, reflecting the market's commitment to uplifting marginalized voices. 

Intro to Mediumship workshop facilitator Iris Salita, founder of Laya Kaluluwa

The market's name is drawn from pre-colonial Visayan mythology, referencing Bakunawa, the "moon eater." Legend says that when Bakunawa rose to swallow the last of the seven moons, the people united with sound and prayer to protect the light. The event is timed with the New Moon in Libra, symbolizing a moment of collective harmony and renewal, and encourages attendees to gather, protect their own light, and create new cycles together.

"Our ancestors once beat their drums to call back the moon, and in many ways, that's what we're doing now – calling back our stories, our power, and our light," says Rojales. "Through art, ritual, and community, I hope that Bakunawa Market becomes a gathering place for cultural revival, creative expression, and spiritual resurgence."

Yoga + Sound workshop facilitator Kate Cobarrubia

Attendees can take part in hands-on workshops on Sunday, October 19, all designed to nourish both creativity and connection:

Each offering blends mindfulness with sustainability and ritual, creating opportunities to explore ancestral healing through a modern, inclusive lens.

On Sunday, October 19 from 5–7 p.m., the market closes with Kamayan by Kujo Eats, a traditional Filipino feast served by hand.

Guests will gather around long tables lined with banana leaves and share a menu curated by elders, featuring grilled pompano, fried bangus, BBQ chicken, beef kare kare, pork skewers, and garlic rice. While crowd favorites like sisig and lumpia will be available all weekend, the $65 ticketed Kamayan dinner offers a more intimate, soulful ending to the celebration, and a chance to eat, connect, and remember together.

Zero-Waste Candle Making workshop facilitator Kaela of Lola Severina

The Bakunawa Market invites San Diego to experience a meaningful celebration of Filipino heritage, art, and healing. It's an opportunity to connect with ancestral wisdom, support local creators, and honor the cycles of death and rebirth.

When: October 18-19, 2:00-8:00pm
Where: The Chrysalis: Monarch School of the Arts, Barrio Logan
Tickets: Free entry | Workshops + dinner ticketed

Visit bakunawamarket.com or follow @bakunawamarket for updates