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.