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FEATURES (September 22 –
September 28, 2008) Pardanon Samtoy Jose “Pepito” Alvarez This is
the Ilocano (Third of a series) The regional language of the Ilocanos is called Samtoy: The Ilocano language is called Samtoy
is the abbreviation form of the Ilocano phrase “pagsasaomit ditoy” which means in
English “out language here”. The euphonic affinity of the Ilocos
language with the Spanish tongue is well marked. This, I believe, accounts
for the non-corruption of the pronunciation of the many Spanish words
borrowed and incorporated into the Iloco tongue. Samtoy is a very rich
language, as an instance to demonstrate this fact, out of a single root-word
not less than 1,000 compound words may be formed with the prefixes which are
many in the language. Samtoy is
the tenth most dispersed international language in the world not based on the
number of the people who speak it but upon the number of the various
countries and places where are people who actually speak the language. Ilocano
is the most descriptive language among all the languages and dialects of the The
Regional Joan of Arc of Ilocandia is Maria Gabriela
Silang. Second to the revolution of 1896, the
uprising led by Diego Silang in the Ilocos in 1762 was the most serious and most extensive in
the area affected. The only recourse to stop Silang’s
growing power was by treachery. This was committed by a former friend who
shot him at the back. Incensed by the infamous iniquity which was resorted to
in order to give an end to the growing fire of Silang’s
revolt, his valiant faithful wife gathered the remnants of her husband’s army
and with the support of the Tinguians of Abra, she led her forces in the subsequent attacks
against Vigan. As the commander of her Army she
rode a light-footed white horse. Gabriela suffered a series of defeat
She retreated to Abra where she was vehemently
pursued by the skilled archers of Piddigan which
the Government forces employed to capture her. She was overpowered in Abra in September, 1763. The valiant Gabriela was brought to Vigan heavily guarded, and in October 1763, she was
mercilessly hanged. Gabriela is considered by historians as the Joan of Arc
of Ilocandia. The regional song of the Ilocanos is Pamulinawen:
Pamulinawen
is a pre-Hispanic song of the Ilocanos. Some
appreciatively call it the National Anthem of the Ilocano
Nation. In the phonograph recording of the song made in the early 20th century, the two most beautiful verses of
the second stanza in the complete version given below were omitted in the
said recording. As many copies of this records were
sold in the Ilocos, the incomplete version of the
song became popularized song. Without the restoration of the two omitted
verses the second stanza would have four measure
less than the first. The complete song runs thus: Pamulinawen Pamulinawen Pusoc indengam man Toy umas-asug Agrayo ita sadiam Panunutem man Dica pag-intutulngan Toy agayat Agrucnoy ita emmam. Essem ti diac
calipatan Ta nasudi unay a nagan Uray sadin ti
yan Aw-awagac a di agsarday Ta nagaan mo a casamitan No malagipcan Pusoc ti mabang-aran The regional epic of the Ilocos is Lam-Ang: The Ilocano Epic, Lam-ang, is the
oldest poem of the Ilocanos. It existed in oral form
before the advent of the Spaniards. It existed in oral form before the advent
of the Spaniards. It existed on oral from generation to generation until the
seventh centuries when it was out in writing and given a Christian
Atmosphere. It used to be sung from memory functions like, weddings,
betrothals and other feasts among the peasantry. This
purely Ilocano epic gives one an insight of the
ancient aspirations, life, culture, and ideals, of the Ilocanos
of old. It exalts the indomitable courage and intrepidity if the Ilocano soul, his inherited valor as a fighther, his rugged honesty, his filial devotion and his
restless adventurous spirit which goads him to migrate far and wide in search
for economic betterment, independent living and cheerful peace of mind. The regional drink of the Ilocano is basi: Basi is made of
the juice of the sugarcane fermented with the leaves, bark of flowers of the
tree called “samac”. It is kept in big earthen jars
locally called “burnay” which are closed air-tight and kept buried
underground for many months. (To be continued) Ilocos
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