Lesson 6 Philippine Regional Literature - Ilokano

LESSON 6: PHILIPPINE
REGIONAL LITERATURE -
ILOKANO
AN INTRODUCTION TO ILOKANO LITERATURE
The variety of literary works in the Philippines is as
widely-ranged as its numerous beautiful and majestic
islands. Up north, where mountains meld together to form
valleys and serve as a wall to protect vast green fields, the
Ilokanos are among the thousands of people that have
created a rich and colorful literary culture that managed to
survive the ages.
The Ilokanos have a remarkable collection of stories since
the pre-colonial times. Unfortunately, most of the earlier
Ilocano writings were not documented, save for certain
literary pieces such as the famous Biag ni Lam-ang, which
used to be passed from one generation onto another by means
of oral transmission, but was immortalized later on as a
written work by Pedro Bucaneg (also spelled as Pedro
Bukaneg).
Nevertheless, it is said that the Ilokano literature was
highly developed, that it became second to Tagalog in
having the greatest number of printed works.
THE STORIES OF THE ILOCANOS
Just like majority of the cultural groups in the
Philippines before the arrival of the Spaniards, the
Ilokanos have already established their culture, having
formed their own religious beliefs and, along with it,
their own mythology and folklore.
The Ilokanos have their own pantheon of gods and
goddesses, the chief of them being Abra, the
controller of the weather and of the skies, who was
said to live in the mountains.
But what is most probably the most well-known
Ilokano story that was created in the pre-Hispanic era
would be the epic Biag ni Lam-ang.
Biag ni Lam-Ang
One of the epics that were able to survive with the help
of oral transmission was Biag ni Lam-Ang (Life of Lam-
Ang). It was said to be a composite work of various
poets who passed it from generation to generation, and
was first transcribed around 1640 by a blind Ilocano
bard named Pedro Bucaneg.
Biag ni Lam-Ang
The Ilocano epic consists of 1477 lines and 206 stanzas (this
is the Llanes version of the epic; Leopoldo Yabes’s version
consists of 305 stanzas) revolving around the main character
named Lam-ang, who was blessed with the gift of speech the
moment he was born. He grew up with supernatural strength
and has a pet cock and a dog.
Biag ni Lam-Ang
The epic was divided into four parts:
• Prologue: The Birth of Lam-ang (line 5-108)
• The Quest for the Father (lines 109-192): Lam-
ang’s quest to find the Igorots who murdered his
father and seek revenge
Biag ni Lam-Ang
• The Quest for a Wife (line 455-1300): The story of
Lam-ang and his love interest Ines Cannoyan, as
well as Lam-ang’s encounter with Sumarang and
Saridandan, and the wedding
Biag ni Lam-Ang
• Epilogue: The Death and Restoration of the Hero
(lines 1301-1477): tells the death and resurrection of
Lam-ang.
Biag ni Lam-Ang
While it is true that the epic was created before the
arrival of the Spaniards, Biag ni Lam-ang was
gradually changed, mentioning the Christian baptism
and marriage. These are strong evidences of
Hispanization.
Ilokano Literature at the time of Spanish
Colonization
The Spanish colonization has undoubtedly influenced
the Ilokano culture, hence affecting their literature as
well. Christianity has played a great role, and the earliest
printed literature were novenas, prayer books, and other
religious readings.
Colonization
Cardinal Bellarmine’s catechism, written by Fray
Francisco Lopez, was translated and became the first
book that was printed in Iloko. The passion and
panagbiag were also popular around the 18 century.
th
Ilokano Literature at the time of Spanish Colonization
The 19 century was a time of poetry and further nurturing
th
of the Ilokano literature. During this time, the comedia, such

as the moro-moro and zarzuela, were first presented. The
Bukanegan became the Ilocanos’ answer to the balagtasan. It
is a debate in verse that is named after Pedro Bukaneg.
Colonization
The 20 century was a time for exploration of various
th
concepts in literature. The predominant theme at that

time was freedom, although other themes such as
conflict between the young and old generations,
Ilocano’s adventurous spirit and historical interest, are
also tackled.
Colonization
Bannawag (1934) was a popular weekly magazine that
featured literary works from various Ilocano writers. It is
also known as the “Bible of Northern Philippines.”
Coronation Poetry, which was delivered in honor of the
fiesta queen, also became popular during this century.
PEDRO BUKANEG AND OTHER MASTERS OF ILOCANO
LITERATURE
Ilokano literature would not be able to grow without
the effort of certain individuals who, gifted with the
talent, were able to create literary pieces that helped
shape it.
LITERATURE
Pedro Bucaneg
No other Iloko has gained greater fame in the
Philippine literature than Pedro Bucaneg (also spelled
as “Bukaneg”). He was acknowledged as the author of
Biag ni Lam-ang and was hailed as the Father of
Ilocano Literature.
LITERATURE
Pedro Bucaneg
Born congenitally blind, he was thrown into a river by his
parents, but was luckily saved by a laundrywoman who
brought him to the local Augustinian monk, where he was
baptized and given the name Pedro Bukaneg, a name that
meant “a Christianized Itneg” (despite that his origins was
mentioned, it was never found out who his parents were).
LITERATURE
Pedro Bucaneg
When he grew up he went to Manila, where he
studied at the Augustinian convent, thus developing
eloquence in the Spanish and Ilocano languages. He
also served as a Christian missionary.
LITERATURE
Pedro Bucaneg
Aside from being the man behind the transformation
of the famous Ilocano epic into a written work,
Bucaneg was also known for his religious literature,
as well as his great contributions such as being the co-
author of the Ilocano-Spanish grammar book and
dictionary.
PEDRO BUKANEG AND OTHER MASTERS OF
ILOCANO LITERATURE
Leona Florentino
Considered by some as the National Poetess of the
Philippines, Leona Florentino became known as the
“Mother of Philippine Women’s Literature,” as well as
the “Bridge from oral to literary tradition.”
ILOCANO LITERATURE
Leona Florentino
Born to a wealthy and prominent family in Vigan,
Ilocos Sur, Florentino showed her gift at young age,
when she first began to write her own poems in her
native tongue. Due to the circumstances at that time,
she was unable to receive a university education at the
time.
ILOCANO LITERATURE
Leona Florentino
Thus she was taught by her mother and private
teachers, one of them an Ilokano priest who was
fluent in Spanish, who taught her the language. By the
time she was 10, Leona Florentino was already fluent
in both languages.
ILOCANO LITERATURE
Leona Florentino
Florentino’s poems were dedicated to her fellow
Ilokanos. Her works were even exhibited in the
Expocision General de Filipinas in Madrid in 1887
and the International Exposicion des Oeuvres des
Femmes (International Encyclopedia of Women’s
Works) in 1889.
ILOCANO LITERATURE
Isabelo de los Reyes
Isabelo de los Reyes was the son of the great Leona
Florentino, and just like his mother he was able to
make a name for himself in the world of literature.
ILOCANO LITERATURE
As a boy, de los Reyes studied at the Vigan
Seminary, where he began to detest the friars’
maltreatment of the students, which led them to strike.
When he turned 16, he went to Manila to continue his
studies, registering for courses in paleography, history
and anthropology.
ILOCANO LITERATURE
He became a notary at the age of 22, but as he was
yet to legally practice law (the legal age was 25), he
began to explore Journalism.
ILOCANO LITERATURE
De los Reyes inherited his mother’s love for the
country, and his fellow Ilokanos. As a journalist, his
first article dealt with the “Invasion of Limahong”,
which appeared in the Diario de Manila in November
1882.
ILOCANO LITERATURE
He then founded the first vernacular paper, El Ilocano.
He wrote numerous books about Philippine folklore,
history of the Ilocos, and work which criticized the
Spanish maladministration in the Philippines.
ILOCANO LITERATURE
Leon C. Pichay
Leon C. Pichay was acknowledged as the King of
Bukanegan. He was known for his poems and various
literary works.
ILOCANO LITERATURE
Leon C. Pichay
Pichay grew up to the Western educational system
and had studies Western literature, but he chose to
create literary work in his vernacular. His talent for
poetry made him famous, and he was often invited to
fiestas and perform Coronation poetry.
ILOCANO LITERATURE
Leon C. Pichay
He was considered as the most creative Ilocano
writer in his generation. He wrote novels, poems,
short stories, and essays. His themes were often about
the love of country, the love of the Ilocano language,
and spiritually.
1. Biag ni Lam-ang was first transcribed around 1640
by Pedro Bucaneg.
Answer: True
2. The Leopoldo Yabes version of the epic poem Biag
ni Lam-ang consists of 206 stanzas.
Answer: False
3. Ilocano literature is second to Tagalog in having the
greatest number of printed works.
Answer: True
4. Leona Florentino was congenitally blind.
Answer: False
5. Leon C. Pichay is acknowledged as the Father of
Ilocano Literature.
Answer: False
6. The Bukanegan is the Ilocano version of the
Balagtasan
Answer: True
7. It tells the quest of Lam-ang to find the Igorots who
murdered his father.
Answer: The Quest for the Father
8. Leon C. Pichay was considered the most creative
Ilocano writer in his generation.
Answer: True
9. It is the story of Lam-ang and his love interest Ines
Cannoyan.
Answer: The Quest for a Wife
10. Biag ni Lam-ang is an epic poem that consists of
1744 lines.
Answer: False
11. Cardinal Bellarmine's catechism was the first book
that was printed in Iloko.
Answer: True
12. Aside from being a writer, Pedro Bucaneg was
also known as a Christian missionary.
Answer: True
13. The Mother of Philippine Women's Literature.
Answer: Leona Florentino
14. This writer detested the Spanish maladministration
in the Philippines.
Answer: Isabelo de los Reyes
15. It was known as the "Bible of Northern
Philippines".
Answer: Bannawag

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LESSON 6: PHILIPPINE

of the Ilokano literature. During this time, the comedia, such

concepts in literature. The predominant theme at that

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