Growing Up as an Ilocana

Life was hard for most. I am not only speaking for my family but even among the neighborhoods in the city and province. Most parents would wake up early in the morning to catch up with work that would make them good money. As far as I know, Farming and Fishing were majority of the income sources, Some were into professional fields but among all other professional jobs, teaching was in demand. Ilocanos are known for being resourceful and thrifty. I grew up closed to farms and the ocean so therefore I knew how it goes with parents doing jobs in farms and in the ocean. Parents would usually work hard to send their children to school. There are not a lot of children in the place that do not go to school. Most parents always desire their children growing up with great achievements at school so as not end up having a life in the farm or being a fisherman when they grew up. They would say in Ilocano “Liwliwa ti mabannogan” which means medicine to hard works. Most children are taught also to become responsible at a young age like cleaning the house, sweeping the lawns, washing dishes, and washing the clothes. Though children are taught early how to manage these household chores they are encouraged to play with others and children would usually play outside. During my time, we used to play Chinese Garter, “kudisi”, “linnemengan” or “taguan”, Jack Stone, “Bahay-Bahayan”, “bado-bado”, Step-No-Step-No. You want me to explain more about it then let me know. I think children have the freedom to play outside without people bothering them. But since the computer is gaining a wide vast of users even to children nowadays, there is now another option for children but I think they would still want to mingle with other children when they play, be it any kind of game. Your parents would not fear that you will be lost and be taken by somebody whenever you are playing outside. But you have to be at home before it gets dark. You have to do your homework before you go to bed. Life at school is cool and fun too. . Let me elaborate more on this one in the next topics.

Being an Ilocana Baby

Babies in Ilocos Norte are born usually in the hospitals but, that time I was born, it used to just be conducted by midwives or “partera” at homes. My mom said that I was born in a hospital and my twin brother was born at our house. Babies that are born were usually breast feeded but, if not milk for those who can afford, rice soup “segget” for those who can’t afford to buy milk. I think I was fed with “segget” most of the times my mom was not at home to feed me. With it, then you know what was our life status. A struggling family that lived on a day to day basis.

Laoag City, Ilocos Norte "Sparkling Gem"

Let me share first about being born in Laoag City. Laoag City is often termed “Sparkling Gem” and it offers a discovery of charming surprises, lush vegetation and scenic beaches. The name of the city “Laoag”is derived from the term Light/Brightness. Laoag city is the capital of Ilocos Norte province which is a part of Region 1 in the Philippine geography. It is specifically located Northern Part of Luzon. The dialect or language in the place is Iluko. If you are born in Laoag City, you are simply called Laoageño (for a boy) or Laoageña (for a girl) or if want to be notified as from Ilocos norte, Ilocano (for a boy) and Ilocana (for a girl). The place is 8 hours drive by bus and 1 hour by plane to Manila which is the capital of the Philippines.