* RACE, ETHNICITY AND GENDER PREFERENCES *
"WHAT MAKES AN ILOCANO?"
By: Manang Biday Reminisces
November 26, 2008
Any everyday man in the Philippines would associate an Ilocano with a one word description - "matipid", on extremes, kuripot - okay, English sounds better - frugal. We are known to be hard workers and success achievers. We never identify to the words "difficult and failure".
I have been researching what keeps the Ilocano apart for him to earn this description. The only reason I could think of is the means of livelihood that was adapted by the forerunners in the Ilocos region. Most if not all of the Ilocos region descendants were tobacco growers (kitaen yo kadi itti litrato ni Manang Biday nakaam-mel itti tabako). Tobacco was the main agricultural product for this was a good match to the type of soil Ilocos has. This region is surrounded by the Cordilleras and most of its land is rocky and arid.
Another reason why tobacco was a prevalent crop then was the tobacco monopoly during the Spanish times. If we all recall our History classes then, tobacco growing was encouraged if not forced upon by the Spaniards to the Filipinos to sustain the revenue this crop generates. In so doing, the Philippine colony then was not totally dependent on Spain for financial sustenance. Early on. the Spaniards recognized that the revenue generated from tobacco will be more than enough for the Philippine Colony to use.( colony - such an awful word then and now).
The Ilocano then, has been used to tilling the soil under the sweltering sun. That could be the reasons for our skin attributes. But why the adjectives kuripot, matipid or frugal though? I still can not put my finger to the reason why. Maybe some of you do know.
SUMMARY:
The article made by the "Manang Biday Reminisces" entitled, " What Makes an Ilocano? " is clearly about the revealing of the true personality and identity of an Ilocano to the Philippine nation. As seen in the first picture, tracing the way to Ilocano greatness, shows the legacy brought by famous Ilocanos like Garbiela and Diego Silang and Ferdinand Marcos revealing the personalities of an Ilocano which are being strong, wise and hardworkers like them. Their is no truth that they are "kuripot" or thrifty, for we just mistaken them for their identity in our ethnicity. In reality, they are just wise, practical and economically savers for the reason that it is in their blood and culture. As seen in the other photo, a picture of Marcos, he was known for his intelligence and hardwork in lifting the state of our nation economically and conditionally, for we are on of the top during his time. All in all, the media shows that Ilocanos should be proud of themselves and we should never underestimate them for their handwork and being wise in their everyday lives.
The article made by the "Manang Biday Reminisces" entitled, " What Makes an Ilocano? " is clearly about the revealing of the true personality and identity of an Ilocano to the Philippine nation. As seen in the first picture, tracing the way to Ilocano greatness, shows the legacy brought by famous Ilocanos like Garbiela and Diego Silang and Ferdinand Marcos revealing the personalities of an Ilocano which are being strong, wise and hardworkers like them. Their is no truth that they are "kuripot" or thrifty, for we just mistaken them for their identity in our ethnicity. In reality, they are just wise, practical and economically savers for the reason that it is in their blood and culture. As seen in the other photo, a picture of Marcos, he was known for his intelligence and hardwork in lifting the state of our nation economically and conditionally, for we are on of the top during his time. All in all, the media shows that Ilocanos should be proud of themselves and we should never underestimate them for their handwork and being wise in their everyday lives.
REFLECTION:
The message was created by the Manang Biday Reminisces. To attract my attention, the creative technique that was used was through the use of media and the blog site regarding the personalities of the ethnic group. Personally, as an Ilocano also and having a childhood growing in the Ilocos, about the blog I felt more confident and proud of my ethnicity becuase the author defended and revealed well the true personality that Ilocanos are not thrifty at all, and they had a mindset to pursue the readers to reflect on what they think and response about the issue. Other people might understand the message as an opinion or commentary about the making of an Ilocano, but I see it as a reality and revelation of a true personality of an Ilocano through citing their way of living. The main reason why this media is sent to the public is to let them know about the wrong perspective and point of view of an Ilocano as "kuripot" or other personalities of different Philippine ethnic groups and a lesson that even though we have many groups and tribes on our country, we are all the same and still stand and live to a Filipino tradition and character, which is in our blood and hearts ever since.
The message was created by the Manang Biday Reminisces. To attract my attention, the creative technique that was used was through the use of media and the blog site regarding the personalities of the ethnic group. Personally, as an Ilocano also and having a childhood growing in the Ilocos, about the blog I felt more confident and proud of my ethnicity becuase the author defended and revealed well the true personality that Ilocanos are not thrifty at all, and they had a mindset to pursue the readers to reflect on what they think and response about the issue. Other people might understand the message as an opinion or commentary about the making of an Ilocano, but I see it as a reality and revelation of a true personality of an Ilocano through citing their way of living. The main reason why this media is sent to the public is to let them know about the wrong perspective and point of view of an Ilocano as "kuripot" or other personalities of different Philippine ethnic groups and a lesson that even though we have many groups and tribes on our country, we are all the same and still stand and live to a Filipino tradition and character, which is in our blood and hearts ever since.
Reference
Biday, M. (2008, November 26). What Makes An Ilocano?. Retrieved July 3, 2013, from http://manangbidayreminisces.blogspot.com/2008/11/what-makes-ilocano.html
Media Log by: SHANON CHRISTOPHER A. GAERLAN
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