Cultures, Traditions, and Beliefs

The Ilocanos are hardworking, determined, simple and as well

appreciative, but the are also known for being stingy, “kuripot” in
their tounge. Yet, for them being called this is just a joke among all
Filipinos, not as a negative description of their kind. It is their
characteristics that that our nationality have grown to understand.

Being Thrifty
They value money so much that most people see them as stingy,
but in truth they are just thrifty, they want to spend what they
earned wisely.

All of this is due to the fact that in their homeland, in the Ilocos
Region, which is located between the barren lands of the Cordillera
mountain ranges and the South China Sea. An absolutely blessed
land with agricultural benefits, making life in Ilocos is very difficult.

And with the fast growth of population, their homeland is not

enough to contain them. Thus this sort of environment turned them
to fighters and survivors. And mainly focusing on living a better life.

And due to all this, it is hard for them to make money, plus
considering the fact that they are very far away from the centre of
the trade industry. The long hours it takes to travel in order to take
their products, mostly fruits and vegetables, to the capital makes
their jobs even more harder. And once they arrive, the products are
no longer fresh thus making business hard.

And all of this led to the traits of Ilocanos being thrifty.

Marriage
Ilocanos have a very strong family tie. Just like all Filipinos, they
follow all the norm inside the house and within the family. Like the
father being the head, the one who provides and the for the family
to survive, the mother being the “light of the home”, the one who
takes care of the children and manages all house finances. Plus, the
Ilocanos have high respect to their parents, which is absolutely
evident in their marriage traditions.

Before even planning for marriage, Ilocano youths seek first the
approval of both sets of parents. The parents are to decide if they
would agree to let their child marry or not. The young man,groom,
asks for his parents’ consent. His parents will pay the dowry and
finance the wedding.

Then, the young man formally announces (panagpudno) his

intentions of marrying the young woman to her parents. The
groom’s parents visit the bride’s parents, in which they set the date
of the wedding. In setting the date, both parents go to a planetario
(planetarium) to learn what dates are the good-luck days.
Another meeting is set for the wedding (palalian or ringpas) wherein
the groom and his relatives to the bride’s house to finalize the
wedding arrangements. The families set the choice of sponsors, the
dowry, sagut (wedding dress and accessories which will be provided
by the groom), and the parawad (cash that given by the groom to
the bride’s mother as a reward for raising his bride).
Valuing Education
Their are not just industrious in the fields but also in schools. Most of
them are literate, and the parents are very passionate in giving their
children proper education, and would sacrifice everythimg in order
to give them a good life.

All this is done because they believe that their children will have
better opportunities aside from farming. And parents will ensure that
their children will have a better future than the parents have.

Gods and Goddesses

Here is a tale of their almighty ones.

The Gods and Goddesses

Philippine Folk Literature

Cabalangegan was formerly a jungle at the edge of the river Abra.

On the far side of the river were mountains high and steep. On
these mountains lived an old man named Abra, the father of
Caburayan. The old man lived and controlled the weather. It is said
that the river Abra was a gathering of water vapor, shaded, and the
days were always bright with sunlight.
At that time Anianihan, God of Harvests, was in love with Anianihan,
Goddess of Healing. Her mother, Lady Makiling knew about their
mutual understanding, but Abra did not know it for the three were
afraid to tell him since he might punish them as he disapproved of
Anianihan. Abra wanted his daughter to marry either Saguday, God
of the Wind, or Revenador, God of Thunder and Lightning. This being
so, Anianihan took Anianihan from her home. Abra wept a great
deal. He sent Lady Makiling away after beating her.
When Abra was alone, he wept day and night till Bulan, God of
Peace and Calm, came. But though Bulan was there to brighten
Abra’s spirits, Abra did not stop weeping. He could not express his
anger. He begged the other gods to bring back his daughter.
One day the sun, eye of Amman, shone so bright that the water of
the river Abra was excessively heated. Smoke rose from the river.
Soon, thick, black clouds began to darken the sky. Then Saguday
sent the strongest wind until the crowns of the trees brushed the
ground. The god Revenador sent down the largest strings of fire.
The heaviest of rains fell. All these frightful events lasted seven
days. The river Abra then rose and covered the trees. There rose a
vast body of water and the highest pan of the mountain could be
seen. It looked like the back of a turtle from a distance. At this spot
Abra lived.
On the seventh day, Abra heard a cry. He also heard a most
sorrowful song. Abra dried his tears and looked around, but he saw
no one. He determined to find Maria Makiling, his grandchild. He did
not find her for the cries of the baby had stopped.
The search for the baby lasted three full moons, but to no avail and
the poor old man returned to his home very sad. He lost all hope.
His wits were gone. At that time Maria Makiling was under the care
of the fierce dog Lobo, that was under a god of the Underworld. He
had been punished by the other gods and that is why he looked like
a fierce dog. He was sent down to do charity.
Festivals
Here are some of the festivals of the Ilocanos in their mainland.
 BAC-BACARRA FESTIVAL • • • • Bacarra, Ilocos Norte Farmers
Festival November 30 The legendary word “bac-bacarra” is a
specie of freshwater fish abundant in the river during the 15th
century which gave birth to the town’s name .
 GULING-GULING FESTIVAL • • • • Paoay, Ilocos Norte Guling-
Guling MartesMay aims to commemorate the 16th century old
practice of the Spanish friars for the religious sector to interact
with its parishioners. It has always been celebrated on the
Tuesday before Ash Wednesday
 PAMULINAWEN FESTIVAL • • • • Laoag City February 10 Our
Lady of Peace Pamulinawen is the name of a woman made
popular in the classic Ilocano song titled… Pamulinawen.
 PINILI TOWN FIESTA AND AGROINDUSTRIAL FARE and GARLIC
FESTIVAL • April 13 – 16 • Pinili,Ilocos Norte • Pinili Town Fiesta
and Agro-Industrial Fare is celebrated in honor of St. Isidore de
Farmer • Garlic Festival which is now a tourist attraction is
observed because garlic is the main commodity of Pinili
 EMPANADA FESTIVAL • Batac, Ilocos Norte • December 8 – 30 •
BATAC EMPANADA is made of savory filling of grated green
papaya, mongo, longganisaand egg. The dough that serves as
its thin and crisp wrapper is made of rice flour.
 Sinait Garlic Festival • • • Sinait,Ilocos Sur May 1 – 3 The
province-wide cooking contest is also held side-by-side with the
Search for the Biggest Garlic Bulb and Garlic Bundling, whose
categories include Longest Twined Garlic, Creative Bundling,
and Bundling Competition which also allows tourist
participation.
 Pinakbet Festival • • • Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur April 23 it features
street dances and cooking competitions and honours the Sta.
Maria’s farmers’ industry and their housewives’ cooking skills.
 Binatbatan Festival • Vigan City, Ilocos Sur • First week of May
• the festival got its name from the Iluko term batbatin, or
separating cotton balls from the seeds of the local fruit
tree kapas sanglay. The cotton balls are then spun and used in
weaving the abel, which Chinese merchants then residing in
Ciudad Fernandina, the Vigan of old, exported and which was
among the local products shipped during the galleon trade
from the 15th to the 18th century.
 Tabako Festival • Candon City, Ilocos Sur • every last week of
March • thanksgiving for the city’s bountiful harvest of
 tobacco. Semana Santa • Holy Week • Good Friday procession
highlights decorated carrozas bearing life-size, Spanish vintage
statues of saints. On Easter Sunday, the dawn celebration
depicting the Resurrection of Christ called “Sabet” is a scene to
watch out for.
 San Fernando Town Fiesta • February 6 to 12 to honour St.
William, the Hermit. • San Fernando, La Union Feast of Our
Lady of Caysasay • San Fernando, La Union • held on the
second week of September which is the 5th day of August in
the Lunar calendar Agoo Semana Santa • May 6 • Agoo, La
Union • During the Holy week the town people of Agoo come
up with religious activities to make the occasion more
meaningful and sacred.
 ARINGAY FESTIVAL • May 15-21 • Aringay, La Union • Fiesta
celebration highlighting the agricultural product of Lasam,
the Aringay Rice variety with agri-industrial trade fair, street
dancing and other activities. BUYBUY FESTIVAL • February 9 –
11 • Burgos, La Union • “buybuy” or tiger grass • Featured is a
civic parade, trade fair and handicraft exhibition. Cultural
performances can also be seen during this time.
 Bangus Festival • April 16 – May 1
• Dagupan City, Pangasinan • In 2003, the Guinness Book of
World Records recognized the “Kalutan ed Dagupan” as the
Longest Barbecue of the World Pista’y Dayat Festival • May 1 •
Lingayen, Pangasinan • celebrates the bountiful harvest and
abundant fishing from the sea. The events feature mass
offering on beautiful beaches and fluvial parade.
 Puto Festival • White Gold Fedtival • May 5
• Calasiao, Pangasinan • Calasiaoputo (white gold) “cup-
shaped, bite-sized, soft rice cakes; the semi-glutinous rice is
fermented in old earthen jars.” Panangedayew Festival • “to
uplift” • Nov. 27 – December 2 • Dagupan City, Pangasinan •
trade fair of Pangasinan’s pride like Bonuan bngus, bgoong,
peanut brittle, quilted products housewares and locally made
Christmas decors.
 Sigay Festival • January 15 to February 2
• Binmaley, Pangasinan • It serves as the main highlight of the
fiesta celebration of Binmaley town, the “Seafood Capital of
the North.” • Sigay is a Pangasinan dialect word which means
to harvest.