The Biodiversity of the Plants and Animals of Ilocos Norte

Ilocos Norte is well known for the many ornamental, medicinal and
edible plants that it produces. These plants make our home beautiful, others
help cure common diseases and some gives us nourishment as they can be
cooked in so many ways. However, these plants have become endangered
due to the exploitation of man, some due to natural causes such as pests and
natural calamities.

s.

Among the vegetables that can be found in Ilocos Norte and are rapidly
vanishing are the following: Balinsoek, red cowpea, cayenne pepper, kundol,
kapas-kapas, sugod-sugod, himbabao and wild sponge gourd.

Among fruit and forest trees, the following are also considered vanishing:
dalayap, caburao, darukis, custard apple or anonang, mansanitas, antipolo,
balayang, pomegranate, bignay, Carissa, zapote Negro and pannalayapen or
aping.

Ornamental plants such as the marigold, calachuchi, rosal and sampaguita

can lso be found in Ilocos Norte however, vanishing.
Other plant species that are now in the endangered list are samac, anis,
ballang, tigue, maguey, lipai, arrowroot and indigo.

Lastly, Ilocos Norte is well-known for it’s tobacco industry.

On the otherhand, Ilocos Norte has the common farms animals such as goats
and carabao. House pets include dogs and birds, field rats and frogs are also
prominent.

A rare and vulnerable bird species was found in the Northern town in Ilocos
Norte called the spotted imperial pigeon or the ducula carola which can attract
international and local bird watchers to the province.
The plants and animals in Ilocos Norte are as precious as the ones that we
have in the whole country. We need to work hand in hand to avoid their
extinction brought about by the continuous exploitation of man.

We can do our share by taking care of our environment as a whole. By simply

starting
in our own homes, segregate trash, do not waste water, do not cut trees or
plants and most of all do not threatened the lives of animals.
 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,
foofstuffs 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 provinces
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 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 includes the belief of some religion in the places.