The Distinguished Ilocano Traditions In 21st Century Ilocano Literature

Senior High School

iACADEMY-Nexus
Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics

FUENTES, CLAJEL
JARLEGA, ANGELO
MANALANG, VICTOR ABBY
MANINGAS, GABRIEL
PEÑARUBIA, JOSEPH
VILLANUEVA, IAN
AN 11 – A

2018
 The Distinguished Ilocano Traditions In 21st Century Ilocano Literature

A Narrative Research Presented to the Senior High School

iACADEMY-Nexus
Yakal, Makati City

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Course

Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics

by

FUENTES, CLAJEL
JARLEGA, ANGELO
MANALANG, VICTOR ABBY
MANINGAS, GABRIEL
PEÑARUBIA, JOSEPH
VILLANUEVA, IAN

October 5, 2018

The Distinguished Ilocano Traditions In 21st Century Ilocano Literature

CONTENTS
Introduction 4
Research Questions and Terminologies 4
Research questions. 4
Terminologies. 4
Purpose and Significance of the Narrative Account 4
Purpose of the Narrative Account 4
Significance of the Narrative Account 4
The Role of the Researchers in the Narrative 5
Data Gathering Techniques 5
Data gathering techniques. 5
Data gathering tools. 5
Sample data gathering tools. 5
Target Respondents 5
Data gathering report. 5
Narrative Account 7
(Write the Header here) 7
Conclusion 8
Closing Narrative 8
Researcher’s Reflection 8
References 9
AppendiCES 10
Appendix A: PBL Concept Paper 11
Appendix B: Sample Interviewee Invitation Letter 12
Appendix C: Sample Informed Consent Form 14
Appendix D: Accomplished Consent Forms 17

The Distinguished Ilocano Traditions In 21st Century Ilocano Literature

INTRODUCTION

Literature is a collection of written works. The name has traditionally been

applied to those imaginative works of poetry and prose that are distinguished by the
intentions of their authors and the perceived aesthetic quality of their execution.
Literature can be classified according to a variety of systems, including language,
national origin, historical period, genre and subject matter. (Rexroth, 1998) The
vastness of its historical and geographical range is one of the most fascinating and
challenging aspects of literature. This means that, through literary texts, readers of
the twenty-first century like us can access the lives and thoughts, the sorrows and
pleasures, the fears and desires not only of the men and women around us or
hundreds of kilometers from us, and perhaps not even share a language with us.
(Michalopoulou, 2016)
Though according to a news report from the National Endowment for the
Arts, literature is on the decline, in 2015, 43 percent of adults read at least one
literary work last year. This is the lowest percentage in every year since the NEA
surveys began tracking reading and art participation in 1982, when the literacy
reading rate was 57 percent. With this information we could say that the tradition of
reading, alongside literature itself, is dying. As stated by Rose (2015), the use of the
terms “tradition” and “progressive” in the same sentence a bit odd - almost
counterintuitive. After all, the progressive movement can largely be understood as
the counterpart of tradition; challenging traditional ways of behaving, thinking or
doing and labeling them as “ outdated ”, “ irrelevant” or “ unimportant.”
But according to Keenan (n.d.), some use the term tradition to hinder
reflection, discussion, education, insight, wisdom, development, or growth. In its
richer meaning though, tradition is always progressive, developing, and constantly
calling us to receive it, enrich it, and humanize it. The Ilocanos are the third largest
ethno linguistic group in the Philippines. (The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica,
1998) It would be a shame to know that its traditions are close to fading away, and
with the knowledge that it is one of the more active groups when it comes to
regional literature, invalidating them is invalidating the culture itself.
This study aims to determine which Ilocano traditions can be found within 21st
century Ilocano literature. Ilocanos, and other ethnic groups as well, are at risk of
losing their tradition and literature to the toxic mindset of the modern age. The
researchers chose this topic due to the enrichment of the Filipino language which is
currently ongoing, which requires the Filipinos’ objective to preserve its many
dialects and the culture it brings along with it.

The Distinguished Ilocano Traditions In 21st Century Ilocano Literature

Research Questions and Terminologies

This study aims to determine which Ilocano traditions can be found within 21st
century Ilocano literature. It also aims to delve into the elements found in Ilocano
Culture and how they present and execute them, specifically their traditions and the
preservation of their literature respectively.
More specifically, the researchers intend to answer the following questions:
1. How do the Ilocanos execute and present their culture?
-The Preservation of the Ilocano Literature
- The Traditions Associated With the Ilocanos

2. What are the Ilocano Traditions found in 21st Century Ilocano Literature?

Terminologies

- Ilocano: third largest ethno linguistic group in the Philippines from The major
Ilocano provinces, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and La Union. (The Editors of
Encyclopedia Britannica, 1998)

- Culture: the beliefs, customs, arts, etc., of a particular society, group, place,
or time. (Merriam-Webster, n.d.)

- Tradition: a way of thinking, behaving, or doing something that has been

used by the people in a particular group, family, society, etc., for a long time.
(Merriam-Webster, n.d.)

- Literature: written works (such as poems, plays, and novels) that are
considered to have excellence and to have lasting importance. (Merriam-
Webster, n.d.)

- Ilocano Literature: Ilocano literature pertains to the literary works of writers of

Ilocano ancestry regardless of the language used, be it Ilokano, English,
Spanish or other foreign and Philippine languages. (Saculles, 2018)

- Execute: to do or perform (an action or movement that requires skill)

(Merriam-Webster, n.d.)

- Author: the writer of a literary work (such as a book) (Merriam-Webster, n.d.)

- Interview: seeks to describe and the meanings of central themes in the life
world of the subjects. (Kvale,1996)

The Distinguished Ilocano Traditions In 21st Century Ilocano Literature

Purpose and Significance of the Narrative Account

Purpose of the Narrative Account

The purpose of this research is to give an inside look on the Ilocano writers
and how it is for them to write literature related to their heritage. Another purpose for
this is that those who pursue literature with the pride of their heritage can be inspired
by these writers. Lastly, this can also introduce more people to literature to write
about their heritage.
The research method used for this study is a descriptive research, it can
involve collections of quantitative information, such as scores on a test, or it can
describe categories of information such as gender or patterns of interaction. It
involves gathering data that describe events and then organizes, tabulates, and
describes the data collection (Glass & Hopkins, 19840). Descriptive studies are aimed
at finding out “what is,” so observational and survey methods are frequently used to
collect descriptive data (Borg & Gall, 1989). Three main purposes of research are to
describe, explain, and validate findings. Description emerges following creative
exploration, and serves to organize the findings in order to fit them with explanations,
and then test or validate those explanations (Krathwol, 1993). The descriptive
function of research is heavily dependent on instrumentation for measurement and
observation (Borg & Gall, 1989).

Significance of the Narrative Account

The researchers chose this particular topic to understand the perceived
Ilocano Traditions Found In 21st Century Ilocano Literature. The results will also benefit
the following.
From this study, the students will benefit because they will understand more
about Ilocano Literatures and their traditions. This will inspire them especially those
who are into Ilocano Literature to study more and to look for some ways to help it
grow. For the teachers, who are from the Ilocos region, can easily teach their
students by the use of their mother tongue while the teachers who are not familiar in
Ilocano language will gain interest and learn how to use it to not just improve their
skills but to also use it if ever it is needed in teaching.
On the other hand, the Generation Z, a generation who are not exposed to
Ilocano Literature, will develop interest in their culture and can help them enhance
their potential with the use of social media. The Ilocano literature will serve as a
vessel to connect the millennial to the values and traditions of the Ilocanos. Also, the
Ilocanos will have the opportunity to obtain more knowledge on their literature
which was the product of the intellectual mind of the writers while the Ilocano writers
themselves will also benefit from the feedback of the community to help them
improve in their literary skills.
Furthermore, with the study, the researchers will gain more knowledge about
the Ilocano Literature which they will convey not only to the Ilocanos in particular
but also to the Filipinos in general. Researchers can also provide ideas for the
development of future Ilocano writers and historians. The study will also benefit the
other researchers by helping them have another indicator in the other point of view.
They will recognize the importance of the Ilocano traditions found in their 21st
Literatures so that this will help them to study more regarding this matter.

The Distinguished Ilocano Traditions In 21st Century Ilocano Literature

 The researcher’s contribution to the social science research is the awareness
of the new generation to the Ilocano literature which is one of the Indigenous
people which plays an important role in the preservation of its values and culture
while in the field of study their contribution to the Ilocano Literature is their
knowledge in the field of animation, with this kind of literature they can introduce or
improve by putting in animations, which is one of the new kinds of literature, in the
present generation. They also conceptualize the Ilocano Literature which reflects
their values, cultures, traditions, etc. as their basis of learning by empowering not
only the Ilocanos but all the Filipinos to enhance their skills in literature and to
broaden each importance not only in the Philippines but worldwide by using social
media.
In conclusion, the results of the study will aid in the modernization of Ilocano
literature and its circulation, specifically the sharing, spreading, and the fact of
people believing in it, thus helping the whole society. If this generation has the
determination to perceive Ilocano culture and their literatures, then it may have the
opportunity to possibly spread worldwide making the literatures made by the
Ilocano themselves more information reliable in the 21st century.

The Role of the Researchers in the Narrative

The study is limited to the writers department from the Gunglo dagiti
Mannurat nga Ilokano iti Filipinas (GUMIL) or Ilokano Writers Association of the
Philippines.

The researchers aim to determine how Ilocanos present and achieve their
culture in terms of the traditions found in 21st century Ilocano literature. Any other
element of culture will not be a part of this study, since this study focuses on the
traditions and literature, more specifically to determine what is their tradition and the
preservation and enrichment of the literature. Only literature that has been
published in the 21st century can be used as examples by the respondents.

The data would be collected through an interview with semi-structured

questions, it would be conducted after the midterm exams of the researchers. The
habits and actions stated in the statements or questions shall only be limited to those
shown in the interview.

Any topic or variable besides the aforementioned is not part of the study.

The Distinguished Ilocano Traditions In 21st Century Ilocano Literature

Data gathering techniques.

The researchers would be using the Interview Method to expand their

knowledge on ilocano literature and traditions. The interview attempts to describe
and understand the central themes in the life world of the subjects. The main task of
the interview is to understand the meaning of what the respondents say.
(Kvale,1996) Interviews are particularly useful for getting the story behind a
participant ’s experiences. The interviewer can follow detailed information around
the topic. (McNamara,1999)
The questionnaire that the researchers would be using is semi-structured, semi-
structured interviews are in-depth interviews in which respondents have to answer
open-ended questions. (Corbin & Strauss, 2008) These types of interviews are
conducted only once, with an individual or with a group and generally last from 30
minutes to more than one hour. (Dicicco-Bloom & Crabtree, 2006) The questions in
the interview questionnaire contain the core question and many related questions
related to the central question. (Creswell, 2007)
With this method, the researchers would be able to form a deeper
understanding of the participants and their experiences with the Ilocano traditions
and their profession which is centered around literature. Alongside this, the
researchers may also quickly assess the answers of the respondents, due to the
interview being more face-to-face and personal, it would also allow them to gather
a broader data collection as the interests of the respondents aligned to the topic
itself. (Kelly, 2018)

Data gathering tools

Questions for the interview

- How has Ilocano literature affected the Ilocanos’ culture?
- How do the Ilocanos preserve their literature?
- What are the traditions associated with the Ilocanos?
- What are the Ilocano traditions found in your works?
- Has being an author helped you in the enrichment of the Ilocano traditions?
How?
- Have you influenced any non-Ilocano acquaintances with your traditions or
literature? In what way?
- As an author how would you describe the current state of your ethno
linguistic group in terms of:
 Traditions?
 Literature?
- As an Ilocano how would you describe the current state of your ethno
linguistic group in terms of:
 Traditions?
 Literature?

The Distinguished Ilocano Traditions In 21st Century Ilocano Literature

Target Respondents

Ilocanos are the third largest ethno linguistic group in the Philippines. (The
Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica, 1998) The population of Region I (Ilocos Region)
as of August 1, 2015 was 5,026,128 based on the 2015 Census of Population (POPCEN
2015). The three provinces of the Ilocano homeland (Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and La
Union) stretch from Cape Bojeador at the northwestern tip of Luzon down to the Gulf
of Lingayen. Many Ilocanos have established themselves in Manila and other major
cities of the country, as well as in frontier lands on Mindanao. Ilokano men left the
Philippines to work in the first decades of the 20th century as migrant workers on
sugar plantations in Hawaii and farms in California. They were the first Filipinos to
immigrate to the United States of America. (Junior Worldmark Encyclopedia of World
Cultures, 1999) Their language is closely related to others in northern Luzon, which all
belong to the Austronesian (Malayo-Polynesian) language family. At the beginning
of the 21st century the language Ilocano (Iloko) was spoken by about 10 million
people. (The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica, 1998)

As part of the study, the target respondents would be those Ilocano writers
that are part of the Gunglo dagiti Mannurat nga Ilokano iti Filipinas (GUMIL) or
Ilokano Writers Association of the Philippines. The organization of GUMIL has enriched
the Ilocano literary tradition. It is one of the most active groups of regional writers in
the Philippines. It has hundreds of active writer-members in provincial and municipal
chapters as well as in overseas chapters in the United States and Hawaii and even in
Greece. This is a statement that Ilocano literature is not limited to region or
geography but exceeds boundaries as more and more Ilocano writers are emerging
in the literary scene. (Saculles, 2018) It was found in 1968 and currently they are
based in Makati.

The Distinguished Ilocano Traditions In 21st Century Ilocano Literature

Appendix A: PBL Concept Paper
PROJECT DESIGN:OVERVIEW

Name of Project:

Subject/Course: Grade & Section:

Driving Question

Project Summary
(include the main research
question, issue tackled, and
purpose/beneficiary)

Creative Output
description
(include how the products
will be made)

Resources Needed On-site people, facilities:

Equipment:

Materials:

Comments (Specialized Subject Teacher): Comments (Research Teacher):

The Distinguished Ilocano Traditions In 21st Century Ilocano Literature

The Distinguished Ilocano Traditions In 21st Century Ilocano Literature
Appendix B: Sample Interviewee Invitation Letter

The Distinguished Ilocano Traditions In 21st Century Ilocano Literature

<Date>

<name>
<position>
<organization name or school name>
<address>

Dear <name>,

Good day!

We are <strand> students from iACADEMY Senior High School currently taking up the
subject Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics. As part of the course
requirements, we are tasked to write a narrative research paper with topics
anchored to our strand.

In line with this, we are conducting interviews for our research study <title of research
paper>. We aim to <main objective of your research study>. As such, we would like
to request you to be one of our Key Informants in this study. We believe that your
knowledge and expertise in the field will significantly contribute to the success of our
study.

The interview would take around <number of minutes> minutes. Should you approve,
please advise us at your most convenient time your preferred date/ schedule for the
interview. If you have any questions or clarifications, please feel free to contact us at
<email> or at <cellphone number>.

Thank you for your attention.

Sincerely,

<Name of researchers>

The Distinguished Ilocano Traditions In 21st Century Ilocano Literature

Researchers

Approved by:

(Homeroom Adviser’s Name)

Research Adviser

Noted by:

(Name of UCSP Teacher)

Understanding Culture, Society and Politics Teacher

Ms. Maria Melissa Obedoza Mr. Francis Jacob Aragon

SHS Academic Coordinator Principal

The Distinguished Ilocano Traditions In 21st Century Ilocano Literature

Appendix C: Sample Informed Consent Form

The Distinguished Ilocano Traditions In 21st Century Ilocano Literature

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

INFORMED CONSENT FOR NARRATIVE RESEARCH

You are invited to participate in a research study conducted by Grade 11

Accountancy, Business, and Management (ABM) students as part of their
class in Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics. Please take note that
you must be 18 years old or older to participate in this study and that your
participation is voluntary. Please take as much time as you need in going
through this document.

TITLE OF STUDY
[Insert title]

PRINCIPAL RESEARCHERS
[Name]
[Address]
[Phone]
[Email]

PURPOSE OF STUDY

The following information will give you an idea on what the research is about
and the rationale for undertaking this study. Please read the following
information carefully. Please ask the researcher if there is anything that is not
clear or if you need more information.

The purpose of this study is to [Briefly describe purpose of study.]

STUDY PROCEDURES

The Distinguished Ilocano Traditions In 21st Century Ilocano Literature

List all procedures, preferably in chronological order, which will be employed
in the study.

If audio taping, videotaping, or film procedures are going to be used,

provide information about the use of these products.

RISKS

List all reasonably foreseeable risks, if any, of each of the procedures to be

used in the study, and any measures that will be used to minimize the risks.
You may decline to answer any or all questions and you may terminate your
involvement at any time if you choose.

BENEFITS

List the benefits you anticipate will be achieved from this research. Include
benefits to participants, others, or the body of knowledge. If there is no direct
benefit to the participant, state so. For example, “There will be no direct
benefit to you for your participation in this study. However, we hope that the
information obtained from this study may….”

When applicable, disclose alternative procedures or courses of treatment, if

any, which might be advantageous to participants.

CONFIDENTIALITY
Your responses to this [survey] will be anonymous. Please do not write any
identifying information on your [survey]. OR For the purposes of this research
study, your comments will not be anonymous. Every effort will be made by
the researcher to preserve your confidentiality including the following:

[State measures taken to ensure confidentiality, such as those listed below:

● Assigning code names/numbers for participants that will be used on all
research notes and documents
● Keeping notes, interview transcriptions, and any other identifying
participant information in a locked file cabinet in the personal
possession of the researcher.]

The Distinguished Ilocano Traditions In 21st Century Ilocano Literature

Participant data will be kept confidential except in cases where the
researcher is legally obligated to report specific incidents. These incidents
include, but may not be limited to, incidents of abuse and suicide risk.

CONTACT INFORMATION

If you have questions at any time about this study, you may contact the
researcher whose contact information is provided on the first page. If you
have questions regarding your rights as a research participant, or if problems
arise which you do not feel you can discuss with the Primary Researchers,
please contact the ABM Teacher at jessica.ranieses@iacademy.edu.ph.

VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION

Your participation in this study is voluntary. It is up to you to decide whether or

not to take part in this study. If you decide to take part in this study, you will
be asked to sign a consent form. After you sign the consent form, you are still
free to withdraw at any time and without giving a reason. Withdrawing from
this study will not affect the relationship you have, if any, with the researcher.
If you withdraw from the study before data collection is completed, your
data will be returned to you or destroyed.

CONSENT

I have read and I understand the provided information and have had the
opportunity to ask questions. I understand that my participation is voluntary
and that I am free to withdraw at any time, without giving a reason and
without cost. I understand that I will be given a copy of this consent form. I
voluntarily agree to take part in this study.

Participant's signature ______________________________ Date __________

The Distinguished Ilocano Traditions In 21st Century Ilocano Literature

Researcher's signature _____________________________ Date __________

The Distinguished Ilocano Traditions In 21st Century Ilocano Literature

Appendix D: Accomplished Consent Forms

(Insert here the scanned copy of all the Consent Forms that have been
accomplished by your respondents)

The Distinguished Ilocano Traditions In 21st Century Ilocano Literature