REGION 1 : I L OC O S

REGION
IE REN K A TES E. A QUINO
DISCUSSANT: MS. LEAG
• PRONUNCIATION: /ee-lo-KAHN-ohs/
• LOCATION: Philippines (northern Luzon)
• POPULATION: 1.8 million
• LANGUAGE: Ilocano
• RELIGION: Roman Catholicism; Philippine Independent Church;

• Iglesia ni Kristo (Church of Christ); Protestantism;

• Islam; animism
• WHEN THE SPANISH FIRST ENCOUNTERED THEM IN 1572,
THE INHABITANTS OF ILOCOS (THEN CALLED "SAMTOY")
• MASSIVE CHURCHES IN A DISTINCTIVE STYLE GIVE
EVIDENCE OF SPANISH-ILOCANO COLLABORATION
• THE COLONIAL PERIOD WAS MARKED BY FREQUENT
REVOLTS; THE MOST FAMOUS OF THESE WAS THAT
LED BY DIEGO AND GABRIELA SILANG DURING THE
BRITISH OCCUPATION OF MANILA IN 1762–63.
• ILOCANOS WERE PROMINENT IN THE NATIONALIST MOVEMENT, AND
MANY ROSE TO HIGH OFFICE IN THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT.
• THE GREATEST OF THESE ILOCANO "SUCCESS STORIES" (AS FAR AS IT
WENT) WAS PRESIDENT FERDINAND MARCOS, WHO RULED FROM 1965 TO
1986.
 LOCATION
• THE FOUR PROVINCES OF THE ILOCANO HOMELAND:

1. ILOCOS NORTE

2. ILOCOS SUR

3. LA UNION

4. AND LANDLOCKED ABRA STRETCH FROM CAPE

BOJEADOR AT THE NORTHWESTERN TIP OF LUZON
DOWN TO THE GULF OF LINGAYEN.
POPULATION

• ABOUT 1.8 MILLION.

• THE ILOCANOS ARE THE MOST FAMED AS MIGRANTS, SETTLING SINCE THE
19TH CENTURY IN SPARSELY POPULATED EXPANSES OF THE NORTHERN
CENTRAL PLAIN OF LUZON (PROVINCES OF PANGASINAN, TARLAC, AND
NUEVA ECIJA) AND OF THE CAGAYAN VALLEY IN THE NORTHEAST.
LANGUAGE
• THE ILOCANOS SPEAK A WESTERN AUSTRONESIAN LANGUAGE OF THE
NORTHERN PHILIPPINE GROUP, WHOSE CLOSEST RELATIVES ARE THE
LANGUAGES OF NEIGHBORING MOUNTAIN PEOPLES.
• ILOCANO HAS BECOME THE LINGUA FRANCA OF NORTHERN LUZON, AS
ILOCANO TRADERS PROVIDE HIGHLAND PEOPLES WITH THEIR PRIMARY
LINK TO THE COMMERCE OF THE OUTSIDE WORLD.
FOLKLORE: ORIGIN OF
ILOCANO
• ACCORDING TO ONE ILOCANO ORIGIN MYTH:

• A GIANT NAMED ARAN BUILT THE SKY AND HUNG THE SUN, MOON, AND STARS
IN IT. UNDER THEIR LIGHT, ARAN'S COMPANION

• THE GIANT ANGALO, COULD SEE THE LAND, WHICH HE THEN MOLDED INTO
MOUNTAINS AND VALLEYS. THE GIANTS FOUND THE WORLD THEY HAD CREATED
WINDSWEPT AND DESOLATE.

• ANGALO SPAT ON THE EARTH, AND FROM HIS SPIT EMERGED THE FIRST MAN AND
WOMAN.

• HE PLACED THEM IN A BAMBOO TUBE THAT HE TOSSED INTO THE SEA. THE
BAMBOO WASHED UP ON THE SHORE OF THE ILOCOS REGION, AND FROM THIS
COUPLE CAME THE ILOCANO PEOPLE.
RELIGION
• FILIPINOS WERE CONVERTED TO ROMAN CATHOLICISM BY SPANISH COLONIAL SETTLERS.
CATHOLICISM IN THE PHILIPPINES COMBINES BELIEF IN PATRON SAINTS WITH BELIEF IN
SUPERNATURAL FORCES. MANY PEOPLE CONSULT FAITH HEALERS FOR HERBAL TREATMENTS OF
PHYSICAL AILMENTS.

CLOTHING
• DRESS INAPPROPRIATE FOR ONE'S AGE OR PERCEIVED WEALTH OR STATUS ATTRACTS GOSSIP
SUCH AS MABIAG TI RUAR NGEM MATAY TI UNEG (OUTWARDLY ALIVE, BUT INWARDLY DYING);
URAY NAPINTAS NO INUTANG (EVEN IF IT IS NICE, IT IS ACQUIRED THROUGH CREDIT).

• EVERYDAY WEAR: SHORT PANTS FOR BOYS, AND DUSTERS, LOOSE SKIRTS, SHIRTS, AND
SHORT PANTS FOR GIRLS. THOSE WORKING IN THE FIELDS WEAR LONG-SLEEVED SHIRTS,
LONG PANTS, AND WIDE-BRIMMED HATS AS PROTECTION AGAINST THE SUN AND MUD.
DURING THE RAINY SEASON, PEOPLE WEAR A HEADRESS OF LABIG LEAVES EXTENDING WELL
DOWN THE BACK. OLDER WOMEN WEAR THEIR HAIR LONG AND KNOTTED IN A BUN, WHILE MEN
KEEP IT SHORT AND APPLY POMADE ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS.
FOOD
•  ILOCANO FOOD ESSENTIALLY RESEMBLES THAT ELSEWHERE IN THE COUNTRY, BUT
ILOCANOS ARE ESPECIALLY FOND OF BAGOONG (A SALTY SHRIMP OR FISH PASTE). ONE
REGIONAL SPECIALTY THAT HAS ENTERED NATIONAL CUISINE IS PINAKBET— EGGPLANT,
BITTER MELON, OKRA, AND GREEN BEANS COOKED WITH BAGOONG, TOMATOES, AND A
LITTLE WATER (DRIED OR BROILED FISH, MEAT, OR SHRIMPS CAN BE ADDED TO IMPROVE
THE TASTE).

• OTHER FAVORITES ARE DINARDARAAN— COOKED PIG'S BLOOD ( DINUGUAN IN

TAGALOG-PILIPINO); AND KILAWEN— THE LEAN MEAT AND INTESTINES OF WATER
BUFFALO, COW, SHEEP, OR GOAT, EATEN RAW OR PARTIALLY COOKED WITH A SAUCE OF
VINEGAR, SALT, HOT PEPPER, AND PIG'S BILE.
•ILOCANO’S BEST
EMPLOYMENT
• FARMERS (THE MAJOR OCCUPATION)- OWNED/ TENANTS

• FISHING

• STAPLE CROP: RICE /MAIZE (CORN)/ROOT CROPS  

• INDUSTRIES: SALT-MAKING; BASI WINE-MAKING ; POTTERY-

MAKING; WEAVING (AT ONE TIME USING LOCALLY GROWN
COTTON; BASKET-AND MAT-WEAVING; WOODWORKING; AND
SILVERSMITHING (RECYCLING OLD SPANISH OR MEXICAN
COINS).
SPORTS
• ONE UNIQUELY ILOCANO GAME IS KUKUDISI

• A STICK (THE AN-ANAK ) IS PLACED ON A BASELINE

SCRATCHED INTO THE GROUND. ONE PLAYER MAKES THE STICK
JUMP IN THE AIR; THE OTHER PLAYER TRIES TO CATCH IT
BEFORE IT HITS THE GROUND. IF THE LATTER CANNOT DO SO,
A SECOND, LONGER STICK (THE IN-INA ) IS LAID ACROSS THE
BASELINE; THE PLAYER THEN TRIES TO HIT IT WITH THE AN-
ANAK. THE NEXT TWO PHASES OF THE GAME INVOLVE
COMPETING TO SEE WHO CAN HIT THE AN-ANAK (WHICH HAS
BEEN TOSSED IN THE AIR AND STUCK INTO THE BASELINE,
RESPECTIVELY) WITH THE IN-INA THE FARTHEST.
RECREATION
BALAY-BALAY (PLAYING HOUSE), HIDE-AND-SEEK, TEAM-TAG, JUMPING
"HURDLES" (STICKS OR OUTSTRETCHED ARMS OR LEGS), JACKS, AND CHESS.

CRAFTS AND HOBBIES

WEAVING, WOOD-CARVING, AND PLAYING CHESS.

SOCIAL PROBLEMS
• ILOCANOS, LIKE ALL FILIPINOS, FEEL THEIR GOVERNMENT IS
CORRUPT. WEALTHY CITIZENS FREQUENTLY BRIBE OFFICIALS
TO GET THE VERDICT THEY WANT.
LITERARTURE
• BIAG NI LAM-ANG 

• GODS AND GODDESSES

 GODS AND GODDESSES
• IN TEODORO A. LLAMZON’S  1978 BOOK, HANDBOOK OF PHILIPPINE LANGUAGE GROUPS THE
FOLLOWING ARE LISTED AS THE DEITIES OF THE ILOKO REGION.

• BUNI – GOD
PARSUA – CREATOR
APO LANGIT – LORD HEAVEN (APO MEANS “LORD”)
APO ANGIN – LORD WIND
APO INIT – LORD SUN
APO TUDO – LORD RAIN

• THESE HAVE BECOME PART OF THE MOST COMMONLY ACCEPTED PANTHEON OF “EARLY ILOKANOS”. 
AS WITH ALL THINGS IN PHILIPPINE MYTHOLOGY, THERE ARE OFTEN VARIATIONS, EVOLUTIONS
AND REGIONAL DIFFERENCES.
• ONE SUCH DIFFERENCE IS AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT PANTHEON OF DEITIES FOUND IN AN ILOKANO
MYTH, FIRST PUBLISHED IN THE 1952 “HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL DATA OF PROVINCES” FOR
VIGAN, ILOCOS SUR.  IN THIS REGIONAL MYTH, THE DEITIES ARE LISTED AS FOLLOWS:

• ABRA,WHO CONTROLLED THE WEATHER AND IS THE FATHER OF CABURAYAN

ANIANIHAN, GOD OF HARVESTS
CABURAYAN, GODDESS OF HEALING
LADY MAKILING, CABURAYAN’S MOTHER
SAGUDAY, GOD OF THE WIND
REVENADOR, GOD OF THUNDER AND LIGHTNING
BULAN, GOD OF PEACE AND CALM
THE SUN IS THE EYE OF AMMAN
MARIA MAKILING, IS ABRA’S GRANDCHILD
LOBO, A DOG FROM THE UNDERWORLD
 THE GODS
AND
GODDESSES
(ILOKANO)
THE GODS AND GODDESSES (ILOKANO)

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.
THE GODS AND GODDESSES (ILOKANO)

At that time anianihan, god of harvests, was in love with

CABURAYAN, 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 caburayan
from her home. Abra wept a great deal. He sent lady
makiling away after beating her.
THE GODS AND GODDESSES (ILOKANO)

• 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.
THE GODS AND GODDESSES (ILOKANO)

• 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
part of the mountain could be seen. It looked like the
back of a turtle from a distance. At this spot abra lived.
THE GODS AND GODDESSES (ILOKANO)

• 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 GODS AND GODDESSES (ILOKANO)

• 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.
 BIAG NI LAM-ANG

• BIAG NI LAM-ANG (LIFE OF LAM-ANG) IS PRE-HISPANIC

EPIC POEM OF THE ILOCANO PEOPLE OF THE
PHILIPPINES. THE STORY WAS HANDED DOWN ORALLY
FOR GENERATIONS BEFORE IT WAS WRITTEN DOWN
AROUND 1640 ASSUMEDLY BY A BLIND ILOKANO BARD
NAMED PEDRO BUCANEG.
 BIAG NI LAM-ANG (SUMMARY)
Don juan and his wife namongan lived in nalbuan, now part
of la union in the northern part of the philippines. They had
a son named lam-ang. Before lam-ang was born, don juan
went to the mountains in order to punish a group of their
igorot enemies. While he was away, his son lam-ang was
born. It took four people to help namongan give birth. As
soon as the baby boy popped out, he spoke and asked that
he be given the name lam-ang. He also chose his
godparents and asked where his father was.
BIAG NI LAM-ANG (SUMMARY)
• After nine months of waiting for his father to return, lam-
ang decided he would go look for him. Namongan thought
lam-ang was up to the challenge but she was sad to let
him go. During his exhausting journey, he decided to rest
for awhile. He fell asleep and had a dream about his
father's head being stuck on a pole by the igorot. Lam-
ang was furious when he learned what had happened to
his father. He rushed to their village and killed them all,
except for one whom he let go so that he could tell other
people about lam-ang's greatness.
BIAG NI LAM-ANG (SUMMARY)
• UPON RETURNING TO NALBUAN IN TRIUMPH, HE WAS BATHED BY WOMEN IN THE
AMBURAYAN RIVER. ALL THE FISH DIED BECAUSE OF THE DIRT AND ODOR FROM LAM-
ANG'S BODY.

• THERE WAS A YOUNG WOMAN NAMED INES KANNOYAN WHOM LAM-ANG WANTED TO
WOO. SHE LIVED IN CALANUTIAN AND HE BROUGHT ALONG HIS WHITE ROOSTER AND
GRAY DOG TO VISIT HER. ON THE WAY, LAM-ANG MET HIS ENEMY SUMARANG,
ANOTHER SUITOR OF INES WHOM HE FOUGHT AND READILY DEFEATED. LAM-ANG
FOUND THE HOUSE OF INES SURROUNDED BY MANY SUITORS ALL OF WHOM WERE
TRYING TO CATCH HER ATTENTION. HE HAD HIS ROOSTER CROW, WHICH CAUSED A
NEARBY HOUSE TO FALL.
BIAG NI LAM-ANG (SUMMARY)

• THIS MADE INES LOOK OUT. HE HAD HIS DOG BARK AND IN AN
INSTANT THE FALLEN HOUSE ROSE UP AGAIN. THE GIRL'S
PARENTS WITNESSED THIS AND CALLED FOR HIM. THE ROOSTER
EXPRESSED THE LOVE OF LAM-ANG. THE PARENTS AGREED TO A
MARRIAGE WITH THEIR DAUGHTER IF LAM-ANG WOULD GIVE
THEM A DOWRY VALUED AT DOUBLE THEIR WEALTH. LAM-ANG
HAD NO PROBLEM FULFILLING THIS CONDITION AND HE AND INES
WERE MARRIED.
BIAG NI LAM-ANG (SUMMARY)

• IT WAS A TRADITION TO HAVE A NEWLY MARRIED MAN SWIM IN

THE RIVER FOR THE RARANG FISH. UNFORTUNATELY, LAM-ANG
DOVE STRAIGHT INTO THE MOUTH OF THE WATER MONSTER
BERKAKAN. INES HAD MARCOS GET HIS BONES, WHICH SHE
COVERED WITH A PIECE OF CLOTH. HIS ROOSTER CROWED AND
HIS DOG BARKED AND SLOWLY THE BONES STARTED TO MOVE.
BACK ALIVE, LAM-ANG AND HIS WIFE LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER
WITH HIS WHITE ROOSTER AND GRAY DOG.
VIDEO
REFLECTIVE JOURNAL

•GIVE AT LEAST 5 VALUES

THAT YOU CAN GET FROM
THE LIFE OF LAM-ANG
 ASSESSMENT
Complete the chart below:

What I know about Region 1 What I have learned about Region 1 What I love about Region 1’s
Literature
     

 
REFERENCE LIST
TEODORO A. LLAMZON’S  1978. HANDBOOK OF PHILIPPINE LANGUAGE GROUPS. QUEZON
CITY, PHILIPPINES: ATENEO DE MANILA UNIVERSITY PRESS
CIRIACA A. ALCACIN, CAPANGPANGAN, VIGAN, ILOCOS SUR, HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL
DATA OF PROVINCES (VIGAN, ILOCOS SUR, DIVISION SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS,
1952), N.P. REPR. IN IMELDA MALAPIT, “THE USE OF FOLKLORE MATERIAL IN GRADES I-II
ILOKANO CLASSES” (M.A. THESIS, PNC, 1967), PP. 216-19
JOCANO, F. LANDA (2001). FILIPINO PREHISTORY: REDISCOVERING PRECOLONIAL
HERITAGE. QUEZON CITY: PUNLAD RESEARCH HOUSE,
INC.HTTPS://WWW.EVERYCULTURE.COM/WC/NORWAY-TO-RUSSIA/ILOCANOS.HTML#IXZZ6W
HB7QCVO