Re gio n 1:

loc os Reg ion

I roup 1
By G
It is located in the Northwest of
Luzon.
The Region was called by the
Spaniards "Ylocos" which meant
from the "Lowlands".
Inhabitants are called Ilocanos.
Provinces
and
Capitals
 The
Bac k g r ou nd
o f th e
Ilo k a no
 i ve o f ll o k a n d ia,
O K A N O , t h e n a t
THE IL
a ll s h is lit e r a tu re
r Ilo c o s re g io n , c
o o rd s
t o y ( fr o m t h e w
Ku r d it a n S a m
n s t o w r ite , a n d
r d it” w h ic h m e a
“k u
y ” , m e a n in g o u r
“saom i d ito
e h e r e ).
languag
The ancient Iluko writer expressed
himself in folk and war songs:

Dallot, a versified exchange of wit

between a man and a woman;
Badeng, love song; and,
Dung-aw, the death chant. Biag ni Lam-ang (Life of
Lam-ang), the famous
Iloko epic, was believed to
have been sung by bards
accompanied by the
kutibeng, a native guitar.
 Cardinal
Bella r m i ne ’s
r in a Arte Ye Le
D o c t ngua
Ch ris ti a na Yloca

ve r p u b lis h ed in
The first book e bo ok o n Iluk o
t e d in 1 6 2 1 . The firs t
Iluko, p rin
a n
Translated by th e A u g u s tin i grammar.
o Lo p ez, y L o p e z w ith
Written by Fra
r ia r, F r . F ra n c is c
Span is h F
P e d ro B u c a n eg
P ed ro B uk an e g.
w ith t h e h e lp o f the h elp o f
(1592-1630)
Artists
 Pedro Bukaneg Pablo Inis Jacinto Kawili

The first known Ilokano poet. An Iluko poet who found

Considered as the Father of solace in the Catholic The only notable Ilokano
Iluko Literature. faith and wrote poems writer and poet.
He was the first to put down and prayers in honor of
into writing the Lam-ang the Virgin Mary.
Epic.
 Antonio Megia Leona Florentino Isabelo de los Reyes

The first internationally famous Leona Florentino’s illustrious son and

He published an lluko Filipino poetess. recognized as the Father of Philippine
translation of the pasion in whose poems like Naangawan A Folklore.
1845. Kablaaw (A Jolly Birthday founded in 1889 the El llocano, the first
regional newspaper in the Philippines
It was the very first Philippine Greeting) and Nalpay A
which published fiction and poetry.
“pasyon”, pointed out by Namnama (Blasted Hope), were
Wrote the first short story in Iluko, Ti
among the earliest lyrical and
Wenceslao Retana. Langit Ti Inanamatayo (The Glory of our
satirical verses in Iluko. Hopes), published in El Ilocano.
Fr. Rufino Redondo Fr. Justo Claudio Fojas Leon C. Pichay

Published his novel Apay A

an Augustinian, wrote the wrote Ti Gloria (Heaven),
Pinatayda Ni Naw Simon?
first Iluko novel, Matilde de considered as the first Iluko
(Why Did They Slay Don
Sinapangan, published in poem that is of a mystical
Simon?), the first known
1892. nature.
detective novel in Iluko.
Estela Rimorin-Gordo

The first woman novelist in

Iluko.
Novel: Sasainnec (Sobs)
 o f n am e d Il u k o
The w o rks
t s a nd e ss a yis t
writers , p o e
or a no th e r,
one time
e p a g e s o f t he
appea re d in th
g (M a ga z in e ).
Ba n n a w a
GUMIL’S LOGO Gunglo Dagiti Mannurat nga Ilokano iti Filipinas (GUMIL Filipinas)
A very powerful association of Ilokano Writers.
First organized in 1961.
The local chapters are: GUMIL Ilocos Norte, GUMIL Abra, ..., etc.
Abroad, the member chapters of GUMIL Filipinas are: GUMIL
Hawaii (1971), GUMIL Guam (1988), ..., etc.
Published more than 60 books, excluding those of GUMIL
chapters as well as individual writers who have decided to
publish their works on their own.
With the Bannawag and the GUMIL, Kurditan Samtoy is here to
stay. And the Iluko writer continues to write, expressing the
sentiments of his race, thus enriching further the literary
traditions of his region in particular and of his country in general.
Born in La Union and probably the best short
story writer in the Philippines.
His collection of short stories, entitled How My
Brother Leon Brought Home a Wife and other
stories (1940), won first prize in the
Commonwealth Literary Contest.
“ How My Brother Leon Brought Home a Wife”
(Literary Apprentice, 1934) is probably the most
famous Philippine short story in English.
It was cited by Jose Garcia Villa in his honor roll
and also by Edward J. O’brien in the yearbook of
the American Short Story.
Manuel E. Arguilla
 “Morning by
in Manuel E. Areguilla
Nagrebcan”

Born in 1910 in Nagrebcan, Bauang, La Union, where he spent much of his childhood
among peasant folks.
He obtained his B.S.E. degree at the University of the Philippines.
He wrote about 150 short stories.
He was able to capture the typical Filipino landscape – the mornings, the sunsets,
the evenings, the simple, rugged qualities of farm folk.
Also notable was his ability to project atmosphere, the quiet, restrained tenor of
country life, the shining poetic sentiments of young love, parental understanding,
and love and respect for one’s parents.
 A Filipino poet in the Spanish and Ilocano
languages.
Considered as the “Mother of Philippine Women’s
Literature” and the “Bridge from Oral to Literary
Tradition”.
Born to a wealthy and prominent family in Vigan,
Ilocos Sur, began to write her first verses in Ilocano at
a young age.
Despite her potential, she was not allowed to receive
a university education because of her gender.
Florentino was instead tutored by her mother, and
then a series of private teachers.
An educated Ilocano priest taught her advanced Leona Florentino
Spanish and encouraged her to develop her voice in
poetry.
Florentino married a politician named
Elias de los Reyes at the age of 14.
They had five children together and one
of their son named Isabelo de los Reyes
later became a Filipino writer, activist and
senator.
Florentino was shunned by her husband
and son, and live alone in exile seperate
from her family, and died at the age of
35. Leona Florentino
“Nalpay a Namnama”
The best known of Florentino’s poems.
Translated as “Blasted Hope” (or, more loosely,
curtailed hopes or desires) by M. Foronda Jr.
It starts: speaking of hopes and joys that come to a
person who is loved, who has someone with whom to
share all suffering and pain.
But that joy is followed by a description of suffering
that seems to have come from those curtailed hopes.
She speaks of her “tongue remaining powerless,” and
is resigned that “to be spurned is my lot.” Despite all
that, she ends: But would it be my greatest joy/to
know that it is you I love/for to you do I vow and
by promise I make/It’s you alone for whom I would lay
Leona Florentino down my life”.
“The Golden Rule”
A long time ago there lived in a town a couple a couple who had a son. The father of the
husband lived with his son and daughter-in-law happily for many years. But when he grew very
old, he became very feeble. Every time he ate at the table, he always broke a plate, because his
hands trembled so. The old man’s awkwardness soon made his son angry, and one day he made
a wooden plate for his father to eat out of. The poor old man had to eat all his food from his
wooden plate.

When the grandson noticed what his father had done, he took some tools and went down
under the house. There he took a piece of board and began to carve it. When his father saw this,
he said to him, “What are you doing, son?” the boy replied to him, “Father, I am making wooden
plates for you and my mother when you are old.”

As the son uttered these words, tears gushed from the father’s eyes. From that time on, the
old man was always allowed to eat at the table with the rest of the family, now was he made to
eat from a wooden plate.
 th er Ilok an o
O rk s
Liter ary Wo
 “Biag ni Lam-ang”
Lam-ang is a Filipino epic hero
known for his extraordinary
strength and adventures.
The epic, “Biag ni Lam-ang” or
“The Life of Lam-ang,” tells the
story of his birth, his search for
his father, and his feats in battle.
It is one of the most well-known
epics in Philippine literature,
showcasing themes of heroism,
love, and cultural values. by
Pedro Bukaneg
“Namnama a Nakeltay”

“Namnama a Nakeltay” is a traditional love story

from the Ilocano people of the Philippines.
It revolves around the romance between
Namnama, a beautiful maiden, and Nakeltay, a
handsome warrior.
Their love faces obstacles but ultimately triumphs,
embodying themes of love, courage, and
by
Leona Florentino perseverance in Ilocano folklore.
“Naunsyaming Pag-asa”

“Naunsyaming Pag-asa” is a Filipino phrase

that translates to “Lost Hope” in English.
It typically refers to a situation or feeling of
despair or disappointment.
The phrase encapsulates the idea of
hopelessness or the absence of optimism in
a given circumstance.
by
Leona Florentino
“Pamulinawen”

“Pamulinawen” is a popular folk song from the

Ilocos region of the Philippines.
It tells the story of a woman named Pamulinawen,
celebrated for her beauty and grace.
The song’s lyrics often describe her charms and
the admiration she receives from suitors.
It is a beloved piece of Ilocano culture,
highlighting themes of love and admiration.
by
Jose Bragado
“Ilokano Riddles”

Ilokano riddles are traditional puzzles originating from

the Ilocos region of the Philippines.
They often use figurative language, wordplay, and
cultural references to challenge the intellect of those
trying to solve them.
These riddles cover a wide range of topics, including
nature, everyday objects, and aspects of Ilokano
culture.
They serve not only as entertainment but also as a
way to preserve and transmit cultural knowledge and
linguistic skills across generations.
“Ti Ayat ti Maysa nga Ubíng”

“Ti Ayat ti Maysa nga Ubíng” is an Ilokano phrase that

translates to “Love of a Child” in English.
It encapsulates the deep affection and bond between a
parent or caregiver and their child.
This phrase represents the universal theme of parental love
and the special relationship shared between parents and
their offspring, emphasizing the tenderness and devotion
inherent in nurturing a child.
Thank You