LITERATURE OF CAGAYAN VALLEY (REGION 2)

Cagayan Valley (Lambak ng Cagayan in Filipino; Tana' nak Cagayan in the Ibanag Language; Tanap ti Cagayan in the Ilocano
Language)

Agta/ Atta- were the first inhabitants in the region.

- food gatherers who roam the forest without fixed residence.

 Ibanag dialect was a strong factor in Cagayano’s evangelization of the pagan and hostile inhabitants.

 Evangelization and pacification of the valley were difficult because:

- the communities found by the colonizers were far apart- separated by wild forest and crocodile infested rivers to cross along
which the missionaries and soldiers had to travel.
- there were great calamities which caused great difficulties and sufferings to the the people and they blamed these
occurrences on the coming of the white people.

IRRAYAS and GADDANGS

- two of the earliest chronicles of Cgayan Valley
- they were fierce and warlike
- they resisted the abuses committed by the officials and their encomienderos, to the extent of rising a revolt.

 It was always the missionaries who consoled the natives in time of the calamities and who pacified them when they revolted.

 Missionaries accomplished their difficult and hazardous tasks and pacification:

- because they and only they among the Spaniards, learned the Ibanag
- their eagerness to spread Catholic faith unmindful of the difficulties and dangers, they penetrated even the farthest native
communities and taught the Ibanag to the non- Ibanag speaking natives.

DIALECTS

 Masi (Pamplona) to Lallo to Gattaran- Irraya

 Piat, Tuao, Malaueg, and Santa Cruz- Itawes
 South District including Nassiping to Gamu( Isabela)- Irraya, Gaddang, Iyogad, Catalagan, Dadayad, Aripa, and Aeta
 Tuguegaro to Ilagan- Irraya
 Reina Mercedes to Bayombong- Gaddang
 Diffun, Towns near Cagayan river- Iyogad
 Dupax, Bambang and Aritao- Isinay and Ilongete

Captain Juan Pablo Carrion (1581)

- smiled to Lallo and founded there the mission of Nueva Segovia which because the springboard of the missionaries in their
evangelization

A. Started their evangelization work in the territory from Masi to Gattaran

B. Learned the spoken dialect which they had to preach
C. Wrote cartillas, catechisms and prayer books in this dialect

Fr. LUIS FLORES and Fr. FRANCISCO MANEGO

- were sent in Pilitan near Isabela
- were ordered to take their parishioners learn Ibanag

Fr. HERRERA- ordered all religious missionaries to study Ibanag and see to it that the boys and girls recite all the prayers in Ibanag and
to those come down from the mountains and who will be converted to our Catholic faith. Girls and boys should know the
mysteries to be able to receive the waters of baptism, in the same language so that in the course of time everybody will
speak the Ibanag dialect.

VERADAD- bilingual ( Spanish- Ibanag) weekly newspaper in Tuguegarao

- published by Honorario Lasam
- Servando LIban maintained a lively, satirical column under his pen name Allibut

LA SINSERIDAD- bilingual (English- Ibanag)

- published by Antonio Carag and edited by Jose Carag.

IBANAG FOLK POETRY

- is purely sung which explains how it was handed down to the present; by way of oral transmission.
- Songs are for ceremonial and recreational and they are narrative, speculative, romantic, ridiculing or titilliating.

* Ibanags have the singular honor of having two epic songs- the Salomon and Pasion.

SALOMON- to the accompaniment of the “cinco- cinco” ( a five stringed instrument) is sung during the Christmas season before
improvised home altars, supported through the night with wine, coffee, chocolate and native cakes.
- is narrative on the conception, birth and life of the Baby Christ, filled with episodes that teach Cagayan children Ibanag
virtues of truthfulness, honesty, loyalty, industry and devotion.
VERZO- the Ibanag counterpart of the Spanish coplas, a four line rhymed Spanish songs which appeared during the Golden Age of
Spain’s Literature.
-Often composed on the spot by the versita during social occasions like weddings, baptism, it is intended to
entertain and to moralize.
- It may evoke sadness, joy, laughter, ridicule or wisdom

VERZITA- Cagayans version of the scop, ministrel, and bards of England and European countries who is lavishly by the host with gift or
cash, palay, corn or any food stuff.

“Osse- osse” and the “Kilingkingan”

- two of the most popular versos that usually giving the vocal accompaniment of dances by those names.

Few examples:

Arri ka mavurung ta
Kabaddi ku lalung, kuak
Ku mamayappak, kannak
Ku utun, gukak.

(Worry not my being a small cock,

For when i fly to attack
I never miss my mark.)

This is an expression of the determination of cock-sureness of the Ibanag in love, courtship, fight or contest, despite his size, humility,
poverty and misery. This explains why he has survived all adversities under different regimes in the hands of colonial powers and
during the Martial Law days.

Folk Songs

Other folksongs are love songs most often with promises, pledges, assurances, lessons to teach and guidance to give.

The growth of Ibanag songs and singers reached its peak when the harana or serenade in rustic communities was both a form of
nocturnal recreation among the "babbagitolay" and a way of starting courtship for a "magingnganay."

There was a stalemate of folksong production and serenading during Martial Law days and during the twenty-year rule of the Old
Regime when the freedoms were curtailed, and when the province became a critical area.

Love folksongs were common during weddings and other socials.

Here are some:

O lappaw a makayaya
Nga inimmi-immian na mata,
Pare nakuan tu ari ka matay,
Tape manayuk ka gugammay.

(O lovely flo'er
My eyes behold forever,
May you not wither, nor die,
That long you be gem of my eye.)

Some Ibanag folksongs were inspired by the reaction of people toward their environment; expression of feelings and emotions caused
by their work, labors, government leaders and relationship among fellowmen.

Ibanag Proverbs

Ibanag "unoni" or proverbs are either in prose or poetry. hey are preachy and pedagogic as well as theological.
Awan tu umune ta uton ng ari umuluk ta davvun.
(Nobody goes up who does not come down)

The above is an advice to those who on reaching the peak of their success look down, and even insult and oppress the poor and the
lowly.

Here is another one:

Mamatugu ka ta gayan nga manututtu ta matam.

(You rear a crow that pecks your eyes.)

It reflects the Ibanag's abhorence and loathe against those who are ungrateful. Ingratitude has caused feuds, violence and vendetta.

Mammula ka ta mapia, gataban nu noka.

(He who sows goodness, reaps gratitude.)
This proverbs is a sequel and an antithesis to the second example above.

I buruasi nga inikkao, nu ari atazzi, alawa nikaw.

(Borrowed clothes are either loose or tight.)

Among the many interpretations of the above proverbs, the most fitting today is one addressed to Cagayano leaders: "Power, Authority
and Leadership." A borrowed privilege which cannot please everybody among the governed; that since it emanates from the people.
While they are in power, they must use that power rightly for the people.

Awat tu serbi na ru nga kukua, nu marake i pinangngapangngua.

(Wealth is useless if character is worthless.)

Character to Cagayanos is synonymous with integrity, charity, considerateness, love for fellowmen, rich or poor.

Ibanag Riddles

A "palavvun" (riddle) is any misleading, mystifying or puzzling question to be solved or guessed, either as a mere game or a more
serious challenge. For Ibanags, it is both a folk amusement or a mental excursion. It is aimed at relaxation, entertainment and at
pacifying anger and feuds.

Nu magitubang atannang, nu manaddak, alinno.

(When it sits, it is tall, when it stands it is small.)

The answer is a dog. A dog is a symbol of loyalty. Kick a dog, it runs away. Then it comes wagging its tail to its master again.

The riddle itself means leadership. When a leader stands to campaign, he appears small, lowly, humble, a willing servant of the people.
When elected and sits in his position, he begins to be tall. Tall in visions, hopes, aspirations for his people. Tall in whatever good things
he does for the people.