THE ILOCOS REGION AND THE ILOCANOS

About 1,453,000 hardworking estimated Ilocanos live in the provinces of Abra.

Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur and La Union in the northwestern coast of Luzon of its
11,447.5 sq. km. area. Only a narrow strip of plain is fertile and arable, with rice as
its chief crop. Due to this limited area for agriculture, foodstuffs are often
insufficient.
The physical environment of Ilocandia has effected the Ilocano way of life. Ilocanos
are thrifty and used to difficulties and hardships. They work hard to earn a living;
thus to an Ilocano every centavo counts. A long province makes agriculture in the
area not profitable. As a result, the Ilocano families engage in other occupations.
Men as well as women, spin and dye yarns. Women with their native crude hand
looms weave blankets, towels, napkins, table cloths, bags, and jackets. Aside from
weaving, bagoong and tuba making are two other industries of the Ilocanos.
The Ilocanos are adventurous and the most hardworking people. They migrate to
other provinces like Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija and Cagayan during harvest time, to
find work. After the harvest they go back home with their earnings. Others go to
faraway like Cotabato, Davao and Bukidnon and other parts of Mindanao as settlers.
Many Ilocanos are also working in Okinawa, Guam, Hawaii, and Saudi Arabia, easily
adapting themselves wherever they go.
THE ILOKANOS CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS
Ilocanos strive hard to make a living, difficulty is never a hindrance to their success.
To and Ilocano, hardships can easily be overcome. He believes in the value of study,
industry and patience; thus, every Ilocano family encourages the children to go to
school and learn skills to find better paying jobs and consequently, have a better
life.
Most customs and traditions of the Ilocanos are influence by their frugality. From the
cradle to the grave, the Ilocano rituals reflect what they believe in.
Death to the Ilocanos means great sorrow. If the father dies, the wife dresses the
deceased alone so that her husband's spirit can tell her any messages or wish he
was not able to convey when he was still alive.
The body is placed in a coffin in the middle of the house parallel to the slats of the
floor. A big log is then lighted in front of the houses so that the spirit of the dead will
go to heaven with the smoke. As long as the dead body is in the house, the log is
kept burning to keep the evil spirit away.
During the wake, the members of the family keep vigil. The women wear black
clothes and a black manto (handkerchief) to cover the head and the shoulders.
Before the coffin is carried out of the house all windows must be closed; No part of
the house must be touched by the coffin; otherwise the man's spirit will stay behind
and bring trouble to the family.

Family members shampoo their hair with gogo as soon as the funeral is over to
wash away the power of the dead man's spirit. Prayers are said every night for the
next nine nights. After each night's prayer, rice cakes and basi are served to all
guests. The period of mourning ends on the ninth day when relatives and friends
spend the day feasting and praying. The first death anniversary will then be another
occasion for feasting and praying.
The above customs and traditions are purely Catholic rituals and practices. It does
not include the belief of some religion in the places.
ABOUT THE ART
The serious outlook of the Ilocano is reflected on his physical movement as well as
in his writings. He is not lyrics types; he is the epic type. An Ilocano epic depicting
this sobriety is Biag ni Lam-ang, a poetry piece that requires sustained effort.
Among the well known Ilocano writers are Salvador Lopez, Loepoldo Yabes, Manuel
Arguilla, and Consorcio Borje.
The ancient literature of the Ilocano consisted of songs for different occasions. The
Ilocano war song expressed the vigor and joys of the warriors coming from battle;
the dal-ot, popular among the peasants was sung during a baptismal party, a
wedding or a feast; the badeng or love song is a serenade. Pamulinawen, a popular
Ilocano love song expresses longong for a loved one.
Like most Filipinos, the Ilocanos possess musical instrumentals. Examples are the
flute, kudyapi and kutibeng, which is a sort of guitar with fine strings.
The Ilocano are proud of their dances. One of their favorites is the kinnotan, or ants
dance, in which a group of dances gesticulates toward a person being attacked by
ants and then makes motions of scratching the man. The Kinnailongong is another
Ilocano dance showing a man and a woman sings and dances towards him, and
then dances with him.

Culture and Traditions

Isabela, being the second largest Philippine province, is the most populated
province among the five provinces in the Cagayan Valley region (Region 2).
According to recent statistics, Isabela has a population of 1,401,495 people, which
comprises about 46 percent of the population in the region.
Ilocanos are the most dominant group in Isabela. About 68.71 percent of the total
household is classified as Ilocanos. Next in line are the Ibanag (14 percent) and the
Tagalog (10 percent). The remaining 7 percent of the population are Gaddang,
Paranan, Yogad, and other ethic groups.
Ilocanos are generally known for being hardworking, appreciative and determined.
Compared to other ethnic groups, the Ilocanos are also known for their simple
lifestyle and strong value for money. They are known for being seriously tightfisted,
which has been a common joke or pun among Filipinos.
Ilocanos lived a tough life in the northern part of Luzon. Their geographical location
is not blessed with a fertile land compared to Central Luzon. This has moved them
to value every cent that they earn.
Ilocano Family
Like all Filipinos, the Ilocanos have a strong family tie. Most Ilocano families in
Isabela compose of an average size consisting of 6 to 7 members. The father acts
as the head of the family and primary breadwinner. The mother acts as the light of
the home (ilaw ng tahanan) that takes care of the children and the house budget.
The eldest child is responsible in dividing the chores equally amongst siblings.
Ilocano Marriage
Before planning for marriage, Ilocano children should seek the approval of both sets
of parents first. Then, the parents shall decide if they would agree to let their child
marry or not. The groom asks for his parents consent. It is his parents who will pay
the dowry and finance the wedding.
Panagpudno is when the young man formally announces his desire to marry the
young woman to her parents. The grooms parents shall visit the brides parents and
set the wedding date. Before they decide on the date, both parents shall meet with
a planetario to learn which dates are good luck days.
Another meeting will be set for the wedding (palalian or ringpas) to finalize the
wedding arrangements. It is also when the families will decide on the choice of
sponsors, dowry, sagut (wedding dress and accessories), parawad (cash to be given
by the groom to the brides mother as reward for raising his bride).
Value for Education

As industrious as they are in the fields, Ilocanos are also hardworking in school.
Most Ilocanos are literate. Ilocano parents are very passionate in giving their
children proper education at all cost. They believe that having formal education
shall open windows to better opportunities and ensure a better future for their kids.

English

Iloco (Iloko / Ilocano)

Welcome

Naragsak nga Isasanbay

Naragsak nga Idadanon

Hello
(General greeting)

Kablaaw

How are you?

Kumusta?
Mag-an?

Reply to 'How are you?'

Nasayaat met, agyamanak!

Mayat met (inf)

What's your name?

Ania ti naganmo?
Aniat' naganmo?

My name is ...

Ti naganko ket ...

... ti naganko

Where are you from?

Tagaanoka?
Sadino ti gapuanam?

I'm from ...

Taga-...ak
Naggapuak diay ...

Pleased to meet you

Naragsakak a maamammoka

Good morning
(Morning greeting)

Naimbag a bigat

Good afternoon
(Afternoon greeting)

Naimbag a malem

Good day

Naimbag nga aldaw

Good evening
(Evening greeting)

Naimbag a sardam

Good night

Naimbag a rabii

Goodbye

Pakada

(Parting phrases)

Agpakadaakon
Kasta pa

Good luck

Naimbag a gasat kenka

Dios ti agngina (lit: "God bless")

Cheers! Good Health!

(Toasts used when drinking)

Agbiag!

Have a nice day

Mayeg ti naimbag nga aldaw kenka

Bon appetit /
Have a nice meal

Manganen

Bon voyage /
Have a good journey

Naragsak a biahe

I don't understand

Diak maawatan

Please speak more slowly

Ibaybayagmo man ti agsarita

Please say that again

Ulitemman ti imbagam
Ibagam man manen

Please write it down

Isuratmo man

Do you speak Iloko?

Makasaoka iti Ilocano?

Yes, a little
(reply to 'Do you speak ...?')

Wen, bassit laeng

How do you say ... in Iloko?

Kasanom ibaga ti ... iti Ilocano?

Excuse me

Maawan-dayawen

How much is this?

Sagmamano daytoy?

Sorry

Agpakawanak
Pakawanennak
Dispensar

Thank you

Agyamanak

Reply to thank you

Awan ania man

Where's the toilet?

Sadino ti banio?
Ayanna ti banio?

This gentleman will pay for everything

Bayadan amin daytoy a nadayaw a lalaki

This lady will pay for everything

Bayadan amin daytoy a nadayaw a babai

Would you like to dance with me?

Kayatmo nga agsalata?

Agsalata man

I love you

Ayayatenka
Ipatpategka
Ikarkarayoka

Get well soon

Agpalaingkan

Leave me alone!

Bay-annak!
Talawannak!

Help!

Tulong!
Sumalakankayo!

Fire!

Uram!

Stop!

Sardeng!

Be careful!

Alluad!
Agalluadka!

Be quiet!

Ulimek!
Agulimekka!

Call the police!

Awaganyo ti pulis!

Christmas and New Year greetings

Naragsak a Paskua
Narang-ay a Baro a Tawen kadakayo amin!

Easter greetings

Naragsak a Domingo Alleluia

Naragsak a Domingo ti Panagungar
Naragsak a Domingo Sabet

Birthday greetings

Naragsak a panagkasangay
Naragsak a kasangay

One language is never enough

Madi pulos umanay ti maymaysa a sao

My hovercraft is full of eels

Why this phrase?

Napno iti igat ti hovercraftko

Napno iti igat ti lugantapawko