The Ilongo Culture through time
Introduction
"Our ability to achieve greatness is dependent on our belief and values regarding our own worth and identity as a people"
What is Culture?
Anthropologist have defined the term " culture " in hundred ways. Virtually all definitions however share certain feature. A culture means is the totality of socially transmitted behavior patterns, arts, beliefs, institutions, and all other products of human work and thought or predominating attitudes and behavior widely shared by the members of society. Culture is how the members of a particular human society think , feel , and act is largely determined by the culture they learned while growing up .
The Ilongo culture of meekness , the stillness of the soul , sublime and carefree .The profoundness of their composure , it's simplicity are what human psyche reflects in their music. Ilongo viewpoint of the world is that makes them a great civilization. Music goes with them while sailing through the narrow creeks , in the cradle a mother will hum a lulluby . They are trying to understand the world , a persuasion being the center of cosmos through them , for a thousand years , despite nations close contact with her , she remain
untouched in religious conviction language and customs .
Culture built personality and values.
" It was the Ilongo culture of gentleness which made Spanish easy to find sanctuary in Iloilo after series of treachery in Cebu and the same culture of gentleness which draw Spanish back to Iloilo as place of refuge during the difficult times of revolution in Manila ".
The Bisayans.—In 1569, Legaspi discovered the great island of Panay. Here they were fortunate in securing a great abundance of supplies and the friendship of the natives, who received them well.
(David P. Barrows, Ph.D.)
What is Culture?
Anthropologist have defined the term " culture " in hundred ways. Virtually all definitions however share certain feature. A culture means is the totality of socially transmitted behavior patterns, arts, beliefs, institutions, and all other products of human work and thought or predominating attitudes and behavior widely shared by the members of society. Culture is how the members of a particular human society think , feel , and act is largely determined by the culture they learned while growing up .
The Ilongo culture of meekness , the stillness of the soul , sublime and carefree .The profoundness of their composure , it's simplicity are what human psyche reflects in their music. Ilongo viewpoint of the world is that makes them a great civilization. Music goes with them while sailing through the narrow creeks , in the cradle a mother will hum a lulluby . They are trying to understand the world , a persuasion being the center of cosmos through them , for a thousand years , despite nations close contact with her , she remain
untouched in religious conviction language and customs .
Culture built personality and values.
" It was the Ilongo culture of gentleness which made Spanish easy to find sanctuary in Iloilo after series of treachery in Cebu and the same culture of gentleness which draw Spanish back to Iloilo as place of refuge during the difficult times of revolution in Manila ".
The Bisayans.—In 1569, Legaspi discovered the great island of Panay. Here they were fortunate in securing a great abundance of supplies and the friendship of the natives, who received them well.
(David P. Barrows, Ph.D.)
Iloilo is place of diverse culture. It's ethnic fabric is woven with with various groups that makes up the whole tapestry Ilongo people. Each had preserved its unique culture , tradition , language and way of living through time. Here's a historical approach of deepening our knowledge of Ilongo people
Preservation of cultural heritage from generation to generation , the music , the custom , the songs and epics is strong in Iloilo.
Preservation of cultural heritage from generation to generation , the music , the custom , the songs and epics is strong in Iloilo.
Black Ilongos Integration to Society
Atis or Black Ilongos history predates the regular Ilongo history. They were distinct from Black Australian , Black African , or Afro European or Brazilian. They were not subject to any slavery , in fact they were given a community in Sitio Nagpana in Barangay Lipata, 12 kilometers from the poblacion in Barotac Viejo . The sitio covers 938 hectares of verdant forest land where 200 hectares is identified as a “reserved area” for its watershed . It has Nagpana Falls . The 40 hectares is intended for housing and its school. Presently, it has a population of 741 aetas living in 168 houses. Visitors to Nagpana have the privilege of touring through indigenous guided- walks with a knowledgeable Aeta guide in the person of Mrs. Raquel Mateo who provides insight in to the Nagpana landscape and can enhance their experience through a showcase of its indigenous craft of nito-weaving. They sell talisman , love potion , sex enhancer , lucky charms for business , witch or evil repellents and so on.
Because Iloilo have cultural sense , the office of national commision for indigenous people is built in Iloilo for Region 6 and Region 7.
Because Iloilo have cultural sense , the office of national commision for indigenous people is built in Iloilo for Region 6 and Region 7.
A. Ilongo Civilization ( 12th century to 15th century)
Sophisticated Religious culture of Ilongos
Ancient Ilongos have sophisticated religion . They believes in origin of universe , first man and woman was born from the reed , later they married and bore a son called Sibo , then a daugter Samar , and later people Panay and the Visayas.
Ilongos Spirituality is reflected on its religious vocabulary
Ilongos believe in the
1. Anaw - Great Flood
2. Kalag - The soul of the body
3. Maka-ako - God
4. Madja-as - a concept of eternal destiny
5. Pangabay - to petition or seek help, as documented by different Spanish Friars especially in the 17th century who stayed longer time in Iloilo thus deepening their knowledge of Ilongo Culture.
6. Simba - worship
7. Halad - to offer
8. Langit - Heaven
9. Saragudon - guardian spirits
Ilongos believe in the Universe called " kapawa" which have a world called " kalibutan" meaning a sphere divided into:
1. Udtohan ( Upperworld)
2. Katung-anan ( Middle World)
3. Idadalman ( lower world) . Each realm have spirit entities called langitnon , lupan-on and encanto respectively. The idadalman is full of hidious and harming spirits that are give illness or death.
" All the religion of those Indians is founded on tradition, and on a custom introduced by the devil himself, who formerly spoke to them by the mouth of their idols and of their priests. That tradition is preserved by the songs that they learn by heart in heir childhood, by hearing them sung in their sailing, in their work, in their amusements, and in their festivals, and, better yet, when they bewail their dead. In those barbarous songs, they recount the fabulous genealogies and deeds of their gods, of whom they have one who is chief and head of all theothers. The Tagals call that god Bathala met Capal^ which signifies " God the Creator." The Bisayans call him Laon^ which signifies " Time."
" They are not far from our belief on the point of the creation of the world. They believe in a first man, the flood, and paradise, and the punishments of the future life. They say that the first man and the first woman came out of a reed stalk which burst in Sumatra,and that there were some quarrels between them at their marriage. They believed that when the soul left the body, it went to an island, where the trees, birds, waters, and all other things were black; that it passed hence to another island, where all things were of different colors; and finally that it arrived at one, where everything was white.
Source: Diego De Bombadilla Relacion 1638-1640
Ilongos Spirituality is reflected on its religious vocabulary
Ilongos believe in the
1. Anaw - Great Flood
2. Kalag - The soul of the body
3. Maka-ako - God
4. Madja-as - a concept of eternal destiny
5. Pangabay - to petition or seek help, as documented by different Spanish Friars especially in the 17th century who stayed longer time in Iloilo thus deepening their knowledge of Ilongo Culture.
6. Simba - worship
7. Halad - to offer
8. Langit - Heaven
9. Saragudon - guardian spirits
Ilongos believe in the Universe called " kapawa" which have a world called " kalibutan" meaning a sphere divided into:
1. Udtohan ( Upperworld)
2. Katung-anan ( Middle World)
3. Idadalman ( lower world) . Each realm have spirit entities called langitnon , lupan-on and encanto respectively. The idadalman is full of hidious and harming spirits that are give illness or death.
" All the religion of those Indians is founded on tradition, and on a custom introduced by the devil himself, who formerly spoke to them by the mouth of their idols and of their priests. That tradition is preserved by the songs that they learn by heart in heir childhood, by hearing them sung in their sailing, in their work, in their amusements, and in their festivals, and, better yet, when they bewail their dead. In those barbarous songs, they recount the fabulous genealogies and deeds of their gods, of whom they have one who is chief and head of all theothers. The Tagals call that god Bathala met Capal^ which signifies " God the Creator." The Bisayans call him Laon^ which signifies " Time."
" They are not far from our belief on the point of the creation of the world. They believe in a first man, the flood, and paradise, and the punishments of the future life. They say that the first man and the first woman came out of a reed stalk which burst in Sumatra,and that there were some quarrels between them at their marriage. They believed that when the soul left the body, it went to an island, where the trees, birds, waters, and all other things were black; that it passed hence to another island, where all things were of different colors; and finally that it arrived at one, where everything was white.
Source: Diego De Bombadilla Relacion 1638-1640
The Golden Culture of Ilongos
A a gold death mask was discovered in Oton , Iloilo dating around 14th to 15th century by Archaeologist.( Stored in Museu Iloilo)
"After bewailing the body for three days, they bury it. They do not place it in the earth, but in coffins
of very hard and incorruptible wood, which they kept in their houses. The boards of the coffins are so well joined that the air cannot enter. They placed a piece of gold in the mouths of some, and adorned their coffins with precious gems. Moreover they were careful to carry all sorts of food to their grave, and
to leave it there as if it were to be used by the deceased"
"After bewailing the body for three days, they bury it. They do not place it in the earth, but in coffins
of very hard and incorruptible wood, which they kept in their houses. The boards of the coffins are so well joined that the air cannot enter. They placed a piece of gold in the mouths of some, and adorned their coffins with precious gems. Moreover they were careful to carry all sorts of food to their grave, and
to leave it there as if it were to be used by the deceased"
Iloilo Burial Practices - Washing like ancient Hebrews
" In the island of Panay I saw all the people, at the conclusion of a burial, hasten to the river upon leaving the church and bathe there, as was the custom among the Jews—although these Indias have no knowledge of that dead law. They keep a vessel full of water before the door of every house; every person, whether belonging to the house or not, who enters it takes water from the jar with which to wash his feet before entering, especially during the season of much mud. They wash their feet with great facility, rubbing one foot with the other: the water flows down through the floor of the house, which is all of cane and fashioned like a window-grating: with bars close together"
Source: Diego De Bombadilla Relacion 1638-1640
Source: Diego De Bombadilla Relacion 1638-1640
Ancient Culture survived - Bukidnon
The Panay Bukidnon is a group of indigenous people living in the highlands of Calinog , Iloilo and adjacent town of Tapaz in the Province of Capiz. The municipality of Calinog provides some 30-hectare of land on it mountainous village and is protected since it is inhabited by this indigenous group. Binukot is the fairest and most intelligent daughter in the entire community chosen by her parents and siblings to learn special skills.
" The women in the islands of the Pintados are called binocot, or “woman who is in the room;” for bocot signifies “a room,” and the women go outside but rarely, and even are carried then on the shoulders of their slaves. (Diego De Bombadilla Relacion 1638-1640 )
" The women in the islands of the Pintados are called binocot, or “woman who is in the room;” for bocot signifies “a room,” and the women go outside but rarely, and even are carried then on the shoulders of their slaves. (Diego De Bombadilla Relacion 1638-1640 )
Ancient Dance
The Spanish documented that ancient people in Visayas have ethnic dance. No details if it was accompanied by instrument or singing. Due to presense of plants in the center. The traditional dance must be celebration of harvest season.
A Rich Ilongo Mythology
Mythology is a powerful belief of people . The two great civilization Roman and Greek have mythology that the protagonist were designated to months of their calendar , naming of stars and naming of planets . Ilongo Civilization have the same story.
Ilongos Calendar
One thing the Spanish amazed about Ilongos is the presence of Calendar they called " tuigan" . They have words about months they called " Bulan " and name of days " Adlaw ". Which astonishingly , pertains to heavenly bodies the same how Romans developed their calendar using the moon and sun . It helped the local about the period of their harvest and planting of rice.
Bawa - Ilongo evil birds , Living in a mountains , this birds can do you harm especially when you bothered them with a noise.
Ilongos Calendar
One thing the Spanish amazed about Ilongos is the presence of Calendar they called " tuigan" . They have words about months they called " Bulan " and name of days " Adlaw ". Which astonishingly , pertains to heavenly bodies the same how Romans developed their calendar using the moon and sun . It helped the local about the period of their harvest and planting of rice.
Bawa - Ilongo evil birds , Living in a mountains , this birds can do you harm especially when you bothered them with a noise.
Bakunawa- Ilongo Beast of Fortune
Ancient Ilongo Calendar
A dominant mythology of Ilongos believe there are 7 moons created by Maka-ako ( God) to light the night sky directing them to plant rice in a year who depended heavily on the rains and seasons. They divide the year into twelve months, although only seven of these have names . They are lunar months, because they are reckoned by moons.
( April) Ulalen - The first month is that in which the Pleiades appear
( May ) Dagancahuy - the time when the trees are felled in order to sow the land.
( June) Daganenan bulan - it comes when the wood of those trees is collected from the field
( July) Elquilin - is the time when they burn over the fields.
( August) Ynabuyan - which comes when the bonanças blow.
( September) Cavay - it is when they weed their fields.
( October ) Yrarapun - It is the time when they begin to harvest the rice.
( November) Manalulsul - the harvesting is complete.
Source: Miguel Loarca written in Arevalo , Iloilo 1581
Bataks of Sumatra see läu as the cause of an eclipse adopted by tagalogs . Fr. Francisco de San Antonio in his Tagalog vocabulary of 1620 said "Linamon pala ng laho ang bouan kaya nangamarilim."Fr. Tomas Ortiz, who died in 1742, reported that the Tagalogs would say "Linamon ng laho bouan"
1628 - Fr. Alonso de Mentrida , An Augustinian who is missionary to Ogtong ( Oton) , Xaro ( Jaro) , Baong ( Dingle) and Pasig ( Passi) wrote the " Diccionario de la lengua Bisaya Hiligueina y Haraya ("Dictionary of the Bisayan Language Hiligaynon and Haraya of the Panay Island) Page 38.
Bacunaua " Entendieron que era sierpe que se iba tragando la luna la sumbra de la tiera que la cubre en los eclipses " they believe it was a serpent( Dragon) that go swallowing the the moon from the earth that present in eclipses "
" binacunauahan ang bulan." ( Hiligaynon)---- moon has been swallowed ( English)
" Sinuban ang bulan sang bacunaua "( Hiligaynon)---- The moon is swallowed by bacunaua ( English)
Source : Ecclesiastical affairs - written by Fr. Alonso de Mentrida, OSA, in 1628 University of San Agustin is the first book on grammar of the Hiligaynon language
1668 - Fr. Ignacio Alcina the Bisayas called the eclipse of the sun and the moon bacunawa because a big snake by this name swallowed the moon. He wrote that the Bisayas scare away bacunawa by striking at their lusong and floors
Bakunawa and Eclipse
The Bakunawa, amazed by their lunar beauty, would rise from the ocean and swallow the moons whole, angering Bathala and causing them to be mortal enemies. To keep the moons from completely being swallowed by the Bakunawa, ancient Panayanons would go out of their homes with pans and pots, and would make noise in order to scare the Bakunawa into spitting out the moon back into the sky.
Some of the people in the villages would play soothing sounds with their musical instruments, in hopes that the dragon would fall into a deep sleep. Thus, the brave men of the village hoped that while the dragon was hypnotized by the musical sounds they could somehow slay the dragon. Although the dragon was known
as a "moon eater" it was also known as a "man eater".
A Song for Bakunawa of Iloilo
Ang bulan namon sang una, sang una
Guin ka-on sang bakunawa
Malo-oy ka man, i-uli, i-uli
Korona sang amon hari.
1871 - Almanake Panayanhon created to Keep Tract of Bakunawa head
The establishment of Imprenta La Panayana in Iloilo City in 1876 by a Bicolano, Mariano Perfecto, With his Pasyon, novenas and corridos, Perfecto published Almanake Panayanhon (Panayan Almanac), the all-time Hiligaynon best-seller. It keeps tract Bakunawa head position either in Nasidlangan ( eastward) nakatungdan ( Southward) na-aminhan ( Southward) nabagatnan ( Northward).
1935 - Bisaya dictionary, John Kaufmann defined bakunawa as a " serpent or dragon that eats the moon" and is exactly the term for the eclipse of the sun and the moon.
Alfred McCoy took note of the continuing belief in bakunawa in Iloilo (Southern Panay) as a snake that causes the eclipse based on Mentrida ( 1637) and Kaufmann's explanation that spanned almost 300 years. Bakunawa is a common enough name among the Bisayas
A dominant mythology of Ilongos believe there are 7 moons created by Maka-ako ( God) to light the night sky directing them to plant rice in a year who depended heavily on the rains and seasons. They divide the year into twelve months, although only seven of these have names . They are lunar months, because they are reckoned by moons.
( April) Ulalen - The first month is that in which the Pleiades appear
( May ) Dagancahuy - the time when the trees are felled in order to sow the land.
( June) Daganenan bulan - it comes when the wood of those trees is collected from the field
( July) Elquilin - is the time when they burn over the fields.
( August) Ynabuyan - which comes when the bonanças blow.
( September) Cavay - it is when they weed their fields.
( October ) Yrarapun - It is the time when they begin to harvest the rice.
( November) Manalulsul - the harvesting is complete.
Source: Miguel Loarca written in Arevalo , Iloilo 1581
Bataks of Sumatra see läu as the cause of an eclipse adopted by tagalogs . Fr. Francisco de San Antonio in his Tagalog vocabulary of 1620 said "Linamon pala ng laho ang bouan kaya nangamarilim."Fr. Tomas Ortiz, who died in 1742, reported that the Tagalogs would say "Linamon ng laho bouan"
1628 - Fr. Alonso de Mentrida , An Augustinian who is missionary to Ogtong ( Oton) , Xaro ( Jaro) , Baong ( Dingle) and Pasig ( Passi) wrote the " Diccionario de la lengua Bisaya Hiligueina y Haraya ("Dictionary of the Bisayan Language Hiligaynon and Haraya of the Panay Island) Page 38.
Bacunaua " Entendieron que era sierpe que se iba tragando la luna la sumbra de la tiera que la cubre en los eclipses " they believe it was a serpent( Dragon) that go swallowing the the moon from the earth that present in eclipses "
" binacunauahan ang bulan." ( Hiligaynon)---- moon has been swallowed ( English)
" Sinuban ang bulan sang bacunaua "( Hiligaynon)---- The moon is swallowed by bacunaua ( English)
Source : Ecclesiastical affairs - written by Fr. Alonso de Mentrida, OSA, in 1628 University of San Agustin is the first book on grammar of the Hiligaynon language
1668 - Fr. Ignacio Alcina the Bisayas called the eclipse of the sun and the moon bacunawa because a big snake by this name swallowed the moon. He wrote that the Bisayas scare away bacunawa by striking at their lusong and floors
Bakunawa and Eclipse
The Bakunawa, amazed by their lunar beauty, would rise from the ocean and swallow the moons whole, angering Bathala and causing them to be mortal enemies. To keep the moons from completely being swallowed by the Bakunawa, ancient Panayanons would go out of their homes with pans and pots, and would make noise in order to scare the Bakunawa into spitting out the moon back into the sky.
Some of the people in the villages would play soothing sounds with their musical instruments, in hopes that the dragon would fall into a deep sleep. Thus, the brave men of the village hoped that while the dragon was hypnotized by the musical sounds they could somehow slay the dragon. Although the dragon was known
as a "moon eater" it was also known as a "man eater".
A Song for Bakunawa of Iloilo
Ang bulan namon sang una, sang una
Guin ka-on sang bakunawa
Malo-oy ka man, i-uli, i-uli
Korona sang amon hari.
1871 - Almanake Panayanhon created to Keep Tract of Bakunawa head
The establishment of Imprenta La Panayana in Iloilo City in 1876 by a Bicolano, Mariano Perfecto, With his Pasyon, novenas and corridos, Perfecto published Almanake Panayanhon (Panayan Almanac), the all-time Hiligaynon best-seller. It keeps tract Bakunawa head position either in Nasidlangan ( eastward) nakatungdan ( Southward) na-aminhan ( Southward) nabagatnan ( Northward).
1935 - Bisaya dictionary, John Kaufmann defined bakunawa as a " serpent or dragon that eats the moon" and is exactly the term for the eclipse of the sun and the moon.
Alfred McCoy took note of the continuing belief in bakunawa in Iloilo (Southern Panay) as a snake that causes the eclipse based on Mentrida ( 1637) and Kaufmann's explanation that spanned almost 300 years. Bakunawa is a common enough name among the Bisayas
Spirit World
For 300 years , the Spanish did not able to dissuade Ilongos for totally relinquising their traditional beliefs of the spirit world.
" Moreover, in those mountains are many demons, who appear to the natives in horrible forms—as hideous savages, covered with bristles, having very long claws, with terrifying eyes and features, who attack and maltreat those whom they encounter. These being are called by the Indians Banuanhon, who are equivalent to the satyrs and fauns of ancient times"
Spanish documented :
"I would have much to tell and relate if I should stop to mention what has occurred with such monsters, who have been seen not only in the mountains of Ogtón and Panay, but very frequently in the province of Taal. They are called in the Tagal language Tigbalang; and many persons who have seen them have described to me, in the same terms, the aspect of the monster. They say that he has a face like a cat’s, with a head that is flattened above, not round, with thick beard, and covered with long hair; his legs are so long that, when he squats on his buttocks, his knees stand a vara above his head; and he is so swift in running that there is no quadruped that can be compared with him. "
Source : Augustinian Missions 1630
" Moreover, in those mountains are many demons, who appear to the natives in horrible forms—as hideous savages, covered with bristles, having very long claws, with terrifying eyes and features, who attack and maltreat those whom they encounter. These being are called by the Indians Banuanhon, who are equivalent to the satyrs and fauns of ancient times"
Spanish documented :
"I would have much to tell and relate if I should stop to mention what has occurred with such monsters, who have been seen not only in the mountains of Ogtón and Panay, but very frequently in the province of Taal. They are called in the Tagal language Tigbalang; and many persons who have seen them have described to me, in the same terms, the aspect of the monster. They say that he has a face like a cat’s, with a head that is flattened above, not round, with thick beard, and covered with long hair; his legs are so long that, when he squats on his buttocks, his knees stand a vara above his head; and he is so swift in running that there is no quadruped that can be compared with him. "
Source : Augustinian Missions 1630
A. Lupan-on
.
Sigbin - looked like ordinary people and lived in the forests and wooded areas. They roamed the village at noon looking for victims.
Mangingilaw - were beings bigger than ordinary people and had hairy bodies , big teeth, and long hair. They devour people alive.
Kama-kama - an elf who oftentimes pinch people especially when their dwellings are distubed. Some lived in Lunok tree , others in bunsod.
Kapri - a giant man living in trees especially old.
Sigbin - looked like ordinary people and lived in the forests and wooded areas. They roamed the village at noon looking for victims.
Mangingilaw - were beings bigger than ordinary people and had hairy bodies , big teeth, and long hair. They devour people alive.
Kama-kama - an elf who oftentimes pinch people especially when their dwellings are distubed. Some lived in Lunok tree , others in bunsod.
Kapri - a giant man living in trees especially old.
2. Idalumnon
lolid - looked like a new-born puppy or piglet. They lived under the ground. They were the pets of the fairies.
Tulayhang -were pets of fairies. They looked like crabs and resided near the mouths of rivers.
Tamawo - a pretty fairy some are harmful some are harmless.
Diwata - a beautiful fairy in the forest.
Marukpok - spirits of the dead on bamboo groves.
Muwa - were beings that appeared as old men and women. They were known to steal the harvest of the farmers
Bunog -
Bentohangin -
Hubot -
Bagat - a spirit who appear at night to scare , were spirits that took the form of big dogs and other kind of domestic animals and haunted lonely paths and trails.
Sarut - a werewolf.
Santilmo -a dead person in a form of fire that appears especially after the rain.
Maranhig - a very old person who have hard time dying.
Agta - a dark skin human-like creature . It could only be seen by bending low and looking backward through the open legs.
Mantiw - an extremely tall man who can walk between islands , roam the villages at night and could be seen leaning on kapok trees.
Aswang , apwang , tik-tik or wak-wak - means a witch a noctornal scary sound of aswang signifying his
presence.
Tayho - a centaur
Bahoy - a horrorifying sound of moaning of the dead.
Ukoy
Panguroskos
Wilik
Hinilawod
Hinilawod is Ilongo epic that transmit its customs , traditional belief and religion. It reflects genuine Ilongo cultural identity. It is the world's longest epic . it reflects our dreams, aspirations, and vivid imaginations and must have suppressed by Spanish people .
1931-1932 - Eugenio Ealdama of Igbaras discovered the Montenes of Panay the songs ballads. Ealdama wrote:
"The most popular songs are the ballads, reciting the deeds of mythical personages in great combats or describing their courtship and marriage. In such songs the tune is monotonous, with long pauses after each stanza. The pauses are filled in with a humming through the nose, with lips closed. The succeeding stanzas are sung in the same high and low pitch and fast and slow time until the whole ballad, which may consist of as many as fifty stanzas, has been sung. The most popular ballad is entitled Si Labao Dungon"
(Source: “ The Monteses of Panay by Eugenio Ealdama. Philippine Magazine Vol.X XXV,September 1938,No. 9)
1931-1932 - Eugenio Ealdama of Igbaras discovered the Montenes of Panay the songs ballads. Ealdama wrote:
"The most popular songs are the ballads, reciting the deeds of mythical personages in great combats or describing their courtship and marriage. In such songs the tune is monotonous, with long pauses after each stanza. The pauses are filled in with a humming through the nose, with lips closed. The succeeding stanzas are sung in the same high and low pitch and fast and slow time until the whole ballad, which may consist of as many as fifty stanzas, has been sung. The most popular ballad is entitled Si Labao Dungon"
(Source: “ The Monteses of Panay by Eugenio Ealdama. Philippine Magazine Vol.X XXV,September 1938,No. 9)
Bamboo
The abundance of Bamboo in Iloilo enable the Ilongo society to maximize its use for the living and lifestyle. Ilongo by process acquired a unique skill to use this to make into ornate houses , fences , container for storage of palay called tabungus. Bamboo skin were sliced and weave into a big mat called " amakan " - a woven bamboo skin use for drying of palay , glass , water , vinegar or tuba container and many more. Today , aside from using plastic wares which are invironmentally offensive , the use of bamboo products is still prevalent in Iloilo which is proven environment friendly.
"They use the cupping-glass; but it is not made of glass, for there is no glass
in that country, but of small shells or the small horns of deer. "
Source: Diego De Bombadilla Relacion 1638-1640
"They use the cupping-glass; but it is not made of glass, for there is no glass
in that country, but of small shells or the small horns of deer. "
Source: Diego De Bombadilla Relacion 1638-1640
Adaptation of Ilongos
Adaptation is an important process shaping culture. This is how Ilongo relate to their natural environment and the most important influence on their overall way of life . On building homes , a group of people must consider the abundance of resources available to them . Greeks have used limestone to build their homes while people of Alaska have used ice . Bamboo grows everywhere in Iloilo , thus , it is used commonly to build a place of dwelling homes , since Iloilo temperature is high , it's provides a good ventilation and keep the house cool.
Home Building according to Spanish Historian , Diego de Bombadillo
Because most Ilongos founded permanent settlement , they often have to build a fixed habitation using materials readily available to them . Due to the climate is warm in the whole year round , they have to build homes which does not absorb heat . Limestone was never considered. Everywhere , Iloilo has considerable production of Bamboo that freely grows everywhere .Using rudimentary skills , they are good materials from floor tiles , walls , and foundation .
"The climate of Manila and most of the other Filipinas Islands is very warm. The difference between the seasons is not perceived, for the heat is equally great all the year" ( Diego De Bombadilla)
" The reeds (bamboos) of those islands have the following peculiarity, namely, that they are as much as three palmos in circumference and eight brazas in length. They are used as the materials out of which to build a whole house. The pillars, the lintels, the stairs, the floors, and the walls are [300]made from them. They are used as rafters for the roof, and split into several parts, as tiles for covering the roof.
""Those people live in houses thatched with straw, with the leaves of trees, or with large reeds which, divided into two, serve them as a tiling."
" They have no other saucepans in which to cook their food than those reeds, and no other wood to burn; for the trees serve them as material with which to build their little boats—or rather, rafts—with which they carry for traffic their rice, cocoanuts, and abacá, the hemp of that country".
" There is but little furniture to be seen in their houses. But rarely are chairs seen there, for they always sit on the ground, or on carpets made from reeds. They have neither beds nor mattresses, as their reed mats serve as both" They eat on the ground or on very small low tables, but the tables are used only among the chiefs. Banana leaves, which are one braza long and one-half braza wide, serve them as napkins( Bombadilla)
"The palm-leaves are the tiles with which their houses are thatched. The trunks of the same trees are used to support the houses, and in making the pillars."
Domesticated animals
When villages became more sedentary , they have to domisticate animals and plants for food production . Anthropologist tells that all world civilization is virtually descended from intensive agriculture. Ancient people of Iloilo have to initiate the " kaingin" or a method of clearing the land so that crops can be planted as source of staple food . Chickens , pigs , goats and cattle raising . (Concept from Britannica 15th edition)
Home Building according to Spanish Historian , Diego de Bombadillo
Because most Ilongos founded permanent settlement , they often have to build a fixed habitation using materials readily available to them . Due to the climate is warm in the whole year round , they have to build homes which does not absorb heat . Limestone was never considered. Everywhere , Iloilo has considerable production of Bamboo that freely grows everywhere .Using rudimentary skills , they are good materials from floor tiles , walls , and foundation .
"The climate of Manila and most of the other Filipinas Islands is very warm. The difference between the seasons is not perceived, for the heat is equally great all the year" ( Diego De Bombadilla)
" The reeds (bamboos) of those islands have the following peculiarity, namely, that they are as much as three palmos in circumference and eight brazas in length. They are used as the materials out of which to build a whole house. The pillars, the lintels, the stairs, the floors, and the walls are [300]made from them. They are used as rafters for the roof, and split into several parts, as tiles for covering the roof.
""Those people live in houses thatched with straw, with the leaves of trees, or with large reeds which, divided into two, serve them as a tiling."
" They have no other saucepans in which to cook their food than those reeds, and no other wood to burn; for the trees serve them as material with which to build their little boats—or rather, rafts—with which they carry for traffic their rice, cocoanuts, and abacá, the hemp of that country".
" There is but little furniture to be seen in their houses. But rarely are chairs seen there, for they always sit on the ground, or on carpets made from reeds. They have neither beds nor mattresses, as their reed mats serve as both" They eat on the ground or on very small low tables, but the tables are used only among the chiefs. Banana leaves, which are one braza long and one-half braza wide, serve them as napkins( Bombadilla)
"The palm-leaves are the tiles with which their houses are thatched. The trunks of the same trees are used to support the houses, and in making the pillars."
Domesticated animals
When villages became more sedentary , they have to domisticate animals and plants for food production . Anthropologist tells that all world civilization is virtually descended from intensive agriculture. Ancient people of Iloilo have to initiate the " kaingin" or a method of clearing the land so that crops can be planted as source of staple food . Chickens , pigs , goats and cattle raising . (Concept from Britannica 15th edition)
Rice Farming
Because Iloilo has frequent rainfalls in a year and numerous rivers , rice farming has gained a cultural commonplace which is very common in tropical weather of Asia . It should have been domesticated plant earlier when Malays
came in Iloilo .
According to account written in the " Ecclesiastical and Augustinian affairs, 1630-1640 by Fr. Casimiro Diaz " described the natives as
"naturally docile than any other of the Pintados, very industrious in their rice farm."
"Their employment consists of agriculture, the very abundant fishing along their coasts and in their rivers,
and hunting wild boars and deer with dog and spear—an employment to which their agility and their skill renders them very suitable. They also go to gather honey and wax in the mountains or in the trees, where nature has taught the bees to make both those substances." ( Bombadilla)
When these are born, they name them according to the incidents that happen at the time of their birth. One will be called Maglente, because of the thunder that sounded at the time of his birth; for lente signifies a clap of thunder. Another will be named Gubaton, because the foes appeared on the coast at that same time; for gubat signifies enemy.
came in Iloilo .
According to account written in the " Ecclesiastical and Augustinian affairs, 1630-1640 by Fr. Casimiro Diaz " described the natives as
"naturally docile than any other of the Pintados, very industrious in their rice farm."
"Their employment consists of agriculture, the very abundant fishing along their coasts and in their rivers,
and hunting wild boars and deer with dog and spear—an employment to which their agility and their skill renders them very suitable. They also go to gather honey and wax in the mountains or in the trees, where nature has taught the bees to make both those substances." ( Bombadilla)
When these are born, they name them according to the incidents that happen at the time of their birth. One will be called Maglente, because of the thunder that sounded at the time of his birth; for lente signifies a clap of thunder. Another will be named Gubaton, because the foes appeared on the coast at that same time; for gubat signifies enemy.
Trading and exchange of goods
Water buffalo or Carabao became a vital animal use on growing rice . A new society with these traditional economy emerged in Iloilo . In time , various villages who developed intensive method of farming can produce a surplus over and above their subsistence ( food requirement). This surplus can be used to need other people , families and other kind of groups who no longer need to produce their own food. Excess food can be traded for other useful products like pottery , agricultural tools , woods for building houses , native wares , fishes and clothing , exchange of goods . It is called barter . ( Rice Cultivation in Leon , Iloilo)
Economic system
A strategic point in Iloilo is near the mouth of Salog River . Ilongo
civilization was borned here where exchange of products took place. Markets begun to appear who buy-and sell goods . An traders will sell their indigenous containers such as baskets , bags , pouches made of Nito (left woman in Marketplace in Salog or Jaro, Iloilo). Nito grow everywhere in moist and dark rainforest of Iloilo which is Buri which grows ubiquitous in coastal area , its leaves are weave into bags. Other traders will bring their surplus rice in exchange good which they don't have such as these containers ( Concepts from Cultural Anthropology by Garrick Bailey)
civilization was borned here where exchange of products took place. Markets begun to appear who buy-and sell goods . An traders will sell their indigenous containers such as baskets , bags , pouches made of Nito (left woman in Marketplace in Salog or Jaro, Iloilo). Nito grow everywhere in moist and dark rainforest of Iloilo which is Buri which grows ubiquitous in coastal area , its leaves are weave into bags. Other traders will bring their surplus rice in exchange good which they don't have such as these containers ( Concepts from Cultural Anthropology by Garrick Bailey)
Ilongo Alcohol
Spanish are familiar of wines from grapes and beers from wheat . However , they noticed the " indios" have their indigenous wine . One is from coconut tree , the local called " Tuba" it has a container called "Dawatan " made of bamboo tube that is placed on coconut shoot that has been cut as receptable for dripping liquid . The other one is from Rice. The latter must be brought by chinese migrants of Iloilo , When the fourteenth-century traveler Wang Tayuan visited the archipelago, he observed that natives in different places had acquired the skill of turning cane juice into wine. Unlike the commercial liqour , tuba contains potent vitamins and mineral. Perhaps this was the same process, described by Jesuit missionary Francisco Alzina in the seventeenth-century Visayas, of fermenting in Chinese jars cane juice mixed with a special tree bark to make an alcoholic beverage called intus.
"They drink the liquor of cocoanuts after it has been kept some time in the evening damp; and that liquor is so healthful that their continual use of it keeps them from gravel, a disease of which the name is unknown among those peoples." ( Bombadilla)
"They drink the liquor of cocoanuts after it has been kept some time in the evening damp; and that liquor is so healthful that their continual use of it keeps them from gravel, a disease of which the name is unknown among those peoples." ( Bombadilla)
Ilongo indigenous food and confectioneries.
Ilongos has been doing many indigenous food preparation using rice such as Ibus , suman , lugaw ( congee) and puto. Root crops are the staple food like Ube , Palawan , Camote , Dagmay , Baong , Banayan , tam-is , sago , banana , balinghoy , Bucayu , Chamorro Ethnic tribe of Guam called it bukåyu.
Ilongo Oral Literature
The Spanish discovered that Ilongo have oral literature such as epics ( sugilanon), riddles (paktakon/palato) binalaybay ( declamation) myths, legends , proverbs (hurubaton) , burial (Lowa) , songs ( ambahanon) ili-ili ( lulluby
for infants ) and traditional dances ( saot) that have been recorded by the Spaniards are the harito, balitaw, liay, lalong kalong, imbong, inay-inay, and binanog . Some of these dances are still being performed today.( right)
for infants ) and traditional dances ( saot) that have been recorded by the Spaniards are the harito, balitaw, liay, lalong kalong, imbong, inay-inay, and binanog . Some of these dances are still being performed today.( right)
Babaylan
The role of babaylan ( native priest) is a with vital function to deliver them to such evil forces through proper rituals using black pigs or chicken , prayers , and encantation . This should have been a weapon by primitive man , a belief borned out of myth and supersition necissitating them to give explaination of phenomena . He can discharged their religious beliefs whether during illness , planting their crops or during harvest and have certain powers over the spirit reals. Many of these beliefs still survived up to this time.
Ilongo Dress
" They bore their ears in two places and wear beautiful ornaments, not only in their ears, but also around their necks and arms. Their dress is neat and modest, made generally of cotton, medriñaque, or silk (which they get from China and other places). ( Relacion , Loarca Arevalo , Iloilo , 1572)
The patadiong is more commonly worn by the Visaya than the northern woman. It is somewhat like the tápis, but is drawn round the waist from the back, the open edges meeting, more or less, at the
front. In Luzon Island the old women generally prefer this to the tápi (Source: John Foreman The Philippine Islands )
The patadiong is more commonly worn by the Visaya than the northern woman. It is somewhat like the tápis, but is drawn round the waist from the back, the open edges meeting, more or less, at the
front. In Luzon Island the old women generally prefer this to the tápi (Source: John Foreman The Philippine Islands )
B. Spanish Influences ( 16th century to Late 19th Century)
Social Structure changed drastically.
The mestizo middle class occupied the middle ground in a complex social hierarchy stratified by race and class. On one end were high-status peninsulares (Spanish people born in Spain) and insulares (Spanish people born in the Philippines). On the other end of the social spectrum were the naturales (brown-skinned Christianized native Malays of the lowland and coastal towns). Beyond these groups were the salvajes or infieles (savages or infidels), remontados (those who refused to live in towns and took to the hills), and tulisanes (bandits), all of whom were considered to live outside the social order.
Barangay was changed into Pueblo
Changes Made by the Spaniards.—The Spaniards, in enforcing their
authority through the islands, took away the power from the datos, grouping
the barangays into towns, or“pueblos,” but making the datos “cabezas de barrio,”
or “gobernadorcillos.” Something of the old distinction between the dato, or
“principal,” and the common man may be still represented in the “gente
illustrada,” or the more wealthy, educated, and influential class found in each
town, and the “gente baja,” or the poor and uneducated. (David P. Barrows, Ph.D.)
authority through the islands, took away the power from the datos, grouping
the barangays into towns, or“pueblos,” but making the datos “cabezas de barrio,”
or “gobernadorcillos.” Something of the old distinction between the dato, or
“principal,” and the common man may be still represented in the “gente
illustrada,” or the more wealthy, educated, and influential class found in each
town, and the “gente baja,” or the poor and uneducated. (David P. Barrows, Ph.D.)
Ilongo Dress in Spanish Society
,Woman wear kimono and patadyong , a typical malay dress .Man wear a polyster long pants called " De Largo " with no zipper. It is usually white and white long sleeve as casual clothin.
las islas filipinas were internationally renowned for the production of garments made of piña, that most transparent of fabrics—decorated with exquisite open-cutwork embroidery—woven only in the
Philippines from the leaf fibers of the
pineapple plant . The elegant and luxurious clothing and accoutrements worn by
the upper and middle classes reflect the prosperity they enjoyed in the latter
half of the nineteenth century. Adapting features of both European and indigenous clothing, elite fashion evolved into a metropolitan style intended to convey the education and civility of Philippine elites. Displaying their "enlightenment" literally on the body, they performed for the world a refinement which they believed made them worthy of equality.
.Spanish Language
Ilongo has been using its Old Malay system of counting such as isa ( one) , duwa ( two ) , tatlo ( three) , apat ( four) . Spanish numbers were used such as uno , dos , tres and cuatro. Ilongo Calendar were replaced by Spanish latin calendar , its name of months and name of days . Important words of church , government , science , and government were introduced for necessity because Ilongo do not have those words. As a result , Ilongo became a hybrid of Old Malay and Spanish Language.
Hiligaynon words with some Spanish words
Fetcha tres sang Deciembre , Antes gin-abri han ko ang de-color nga puerta sa cuarto sa cocina , nag usar ko sang llave nga verde may candado , tantear ko , nag tocar ang alta presyun kay di ko ka aguanta sang sintido ko. Ang Lomo ko cada mag alza sang papeles solod ka libro , ga quibra pirme ako ga aguada usar ang valde . Una vez , Plano ko e quija ang poderoso nga capitan para sa justicia sa tia ko sa pihak calle may rason siya evidencia kag testigo . Ay Dios mio, mientras tanto bajado and precio ka ajuz kag sebollas , Gusto ko ma hecho na titulo ka propiedad . A ver lang , pero subung daw wala ko animo , saboroso ang guisado nga aroz caldo sa cucharon . Mas importante ang familya . Gusto ko ubas , manzanas , naranhita kag sarisa. Mas ventaja mag viaje sa biceklita kay wala gasolina fuera lang alboroto imo rueda o manovela ,
Spanish-Influenced Cuisine , Bread and Confectionary
Spain , through monks introduced bread making cooked in Jorno ( stoves) such as Pan De Sal and ensaymada . Cooking style like Prito ( fried) and guisado ( frying with spies) . Food such as Valenciana Paella , Chorizo , tocino. Arroz Caldo. Dulce ( candies) were developed such as those Dulce nga Sambag ( Tamarind Candy), botong-botong ( sugar-candy) , ube , pulot ( sugar syrup) , chocolate drink tablea , lubid lubid (rope-shaped fried glutinous rice flour dough glazed with caramelized sugar), banana lumpia, pitse pitse (flavored steamed cassava) and kutsinta (a chewy steamed rice flour pastry).
las islas filipinas were internationally renowned for the production of garments made of piña, that most transparent of fabrics—decorated with exquisite open-cutwork embroidery—woven only in the
Philippines from the leaf fibers of the
pineapple plant . The elegant and luxurious clothing and accoutrements worn by
the upper and middle classes reflect the prosperity they enjoyed in the latter
half of the nineteenth century. Adapting features of both European and indigenous clothing, elite fashion evolved into a metropolitan style intended to convey the education and civility of Philippine elites. Displaying their "enlightenment" literally on the body, they performed for the world a refinement which they believed made them worthy of equality.
.Spanish Language
Ilongo has been using its Old Malay system of counting such as isa ( one) , duwa ( two ) , tatlo ( three) , apat ( four) . Spanish numbers were used such as uno , dos , tres and cuatro. Ilongo Calendar were replaced by Spanish latin calendar , its name of months and name of days . Important words of church , government , science , and government were introduced for necessity because Ilongo do not have those words. As a result , Ilongo became a hybrid of Old Malay and Spanish Language.
Hiligaynon words with some Spanish words
Fetcha tres sang Deciembre , Antes gin-abri han ko ang de-color nga puerta sa cuarto sa cocina , nag usar ko sang llave nga verde may candado , tantear ko , nag tocar ang alta presyun kay di ko ka aguanta sang sintido ko. Ang Lomo ko cada mag alza sang papeles solod ka libro , ga quibra pirme ako ga aguada usar ang valde . Una vez , Plano ko e quija ang poderoso nga capitan para sa justicia sa tia ko sa pihak calle may rason siya evidencia kag testigo . Ay Dios mio, mientras tanto bajado and precio ka ajuz kag sebollas , Gusto ko ma hecho na titulo ka propiedad . A ver lang , pero subung daw wala ko animo , saboroso ang guisado nga aroz caldo sa cucharon . Mas importante ang familya . Gusto ko ubas , manzanas , naranhita kag sarisa. Mas ventaja mag viaje sa biceklita kay wala gasolina fuera lang alboroto imo rueda o manovela ,
Spanish-Influenced Cuisine , Bread and Confectionary
Spain , through monks introduced bread making cooked in Jorno ( stoves) such as Pan De Sal and ensaymada . Cooking style like Prito ( fried) and guisado ( frying with spies) . Food such as Valenciana Paella , Chorizo , tocino. Arroz Caldo. Dulce ( candies) were developed such as those Dulce nga Sambag ( Tamarind Candy), botong-botong ( sugar-candy) , ube , pulot ( sugar syrup) , chocolate drink tablea , lubid lubid (rope-shaped fried glutinous rice flour dough glazed with caramelized sugar), banana lumpia, pitse pitse (flavored steamed cassava) and kutsinta (a chewy steamed rice flour pastry).
Catholic Religion
"They readily received our religion. Their meager intelligence does not permit them to sound the depths of its mysteries."
Padre Pedro Chirino
Through the ecclesiastical mandates of Pope of Rome , with strong endorsement of catholic monarchy of Spain . The valiant explorers were accompanied by learned spanish friars on navigatio and systematically institutionalized the religious system of Catholic Religion in every villages of Iloilo .
At the span of few years of indoctrination , religion becomes a central part of Ilongo Life .
1. They hear the Liturgical mass in every sunday conducted by the Spanish Priest .
2. The newly imposed Rosary by Pope was recited especially at their homes at night .
3. Towns recieved thier own Patron Saint to seek aid to and celebrate its Patronal fiesta once in a year as a thanksgiving .
4. Pascua ( christmas) and Cuaresma ( Holy Week) were hailed as holy day and celebrated with Mass and procession . Others are Piesta Minatay , a special day to give reverence to the departed Saints and loved ones.
5. Every child of are subject to sacramental rites of the church like baptism on infancy , confirmation on their childhood , matrimony for marriage and burial mass for the dead.
Padre Pedro Chirino
Through the ecclesiastical mandates of Pope of Rome , with strong endorsement of catholic monarchy of Spain . The valiant explorers were accompanied by learned spanish friars on navigatio and systematically institutionalized the religious system of Catholic Religion in every villages of Iloilo .
At the span of few years of indoctrination , religion becomes a central part of Ilongo Life .
1. They hear the Liturgical mass in every sunday conducted by the Spanish Priest .
2. The newly imposed Rosary by Pope was recited especially at their homes at night .
3. Towns recieved thier own Patron Saint to seek aid to and celebrate its Patronal fiesta once in a year as a thanksgiving .
4. Pascua ( christmas) and Cuaresma ( Holy Week) were hailed as holy day and celebrated with Mass and procession . Others are Piesta Minatay , a special day to give reverence to the departed Saints and loved ones.
5. Every child of are subject to sacramental rites of the church like baptism on infancy , confirmation on their childhood , matrimony for marriage and burial mass for the dead.
C. Internaltional Trade Influence of Iloilo Culture
When Iloilo starts to open international shipping in 1850's , the British Merchants brough tremendous English Culture to Iloilo.
D. Ilongo Transformation 1900's
Dominant traditional custums linger on which is passed on century after century in Iloilo. Spanish Influence Custums become a part of Ilongo way of life. With the discovery of new technologies that facilitate fast transportation , communication and media , such as airplane , motor vehicles , Televesion and radio . Foreign cultures have reached Iloilo and drastically merged with the local culture which for centuries is very slow to adopt such changes .Transformation in early 1930's includes the use of phonograph players that plays american pop music , Televesion came to Iloilo.
E. Americanism reached Ilongo Culture through Media.
With the onset of theatre , Televesion and radio . Ilongo begun to adopt American Culture from what they seen in TV or heard in radio stations. Adoption was initially by those living in City Area. From jeans
, to Coca Cola and American Pop Music becomeswidespread in Iloilo.
In literature
American textbook and Cinema started introduced the stories of Cinderella , Snowhite, pinochio , etc.
Sports
Basketball becomes a craze in Iloilo starting 1940's and town after town basketball leage especially during summer months.Volleyball , softball also.
Food
Cakes , pie , Burgers, Pop-corn , French Fries and pasta .
Dance
New Generation while having Bayle is replaced by Disco starting 1980's w hich was hit in Chicago, New York and LoAngeles. Initially , Ilongos called it jamming.
English Language
Celebration Ilongo has to adopt certain words from Americans , TV , swimming pool,
Religious Celebration
Ilongo incorporated A Protestant American Culture such as Hallowen into their " All Saint's Day" "Christmas Tree" and Santa Claus were introduced in Iloilo in its celebration of Pascua ( Christmas) .
When Iloilo starts to open international shipping in 1850's , the British Merchants brough tremendous English Culture to Iloilo.
D. Ilongo Transformation 1900's
Dominant traditional custums linger on which is passed on century after century in Iloilo. Spanish Influence Custums become a part of Ilongo way of life. With the discovery of new technologies that facilitate fast transportation , communication and media , such as airplane , motor vehicles , Televesion and radio . Foreign cultures have reached Iloilo and drastically merged with the local culture which for centuries is very slow to adopt such changes .Transformation in early 1930's includes the use of phonograph players that plays american pop music , Televesion came to Iloilo.
E. Americanism reached Ilongo Culture through Media.
With the onset of theatre , Televesion and radio . Ilongo begun to adopt American Culture from what they seen in TV or heard in radio stations. Adoption was initially by those living in City Area. From jeans
, to Coca Cola and American Pop Music becomeswidespread in Iloilo.
In literature
American textbook and Cinema started introduced the stories of Cinderella , Snowhite, pinochio , etc.
Sports
Basketball becomes a craze in Iloilo starting 1940's and town after town basketball leage especially during summer months.Volleyball , softball also.
Food
Cakes , pie , Burgers, Pop-corn , French Fries and pasta .
Dance
New Generation while having Bayle is replaced by Disco starting 1980's w hich was hit in Chicago, New York and LoAngeles. Initially , Ilongos called it jamming.
English Language
Celebration Ilongo has to adopt certain words from Americans , TV , swimming pool,
Religious Celebration
Ilongo incorporated A Protestant American Culture such as Hallowen into their " All Saint's Day" "Christmas Tree" and Santa Claus were introduced in Iloilo in its celebration of Pascua ( Christmas) .
Beer
The men were the most happy when the whiskey brought by the Bristish Merchants from England.
Ilongo zarzuela
Ilonggo zarzuela, the most popular form of vernacular entertainment in Western Visayas in the first half of the 20th century. The zarzuela is a musical stage play depicting the everyday life and aspirations of the Ilonggos that made famous a number of local writers. It also catapulted into prominence the Iloilo-Bacolod Troupe (ILOBAC) that performed before capacity audiences in
the cities and municipalities of Iloilo and Negros Occidental.
the cities and municipalities of Iloilo and Negros Occidental.
Hiliganon Literature
The coming of the Americans saw the so-called Golden Age of Hiligaynon literature even if the orientation was still heavily Spanish-- didactic and Roman Catholic though strongly nationalistic.
The relatively short period from the 1920's to the coming of the Japanese is considered the Golden Age. This produced Angel Magahum (first novelist for Benjamin), poet Delfin Gumban, poet Serapion Torre, poet-translator (from Spanish) Flavio Zaragoza Cano, essayist-journalist Rosendo Mejica, zarzuela masters Jose Ma. Ingalla and Jose Ma. Nava, playwright Miguel Montelibano, novelist-poet Magdalena Jalandoni, essayist Augurio Abeto and Abe Gonzales, and the young novelist Ramon L. Musones and poet Santiago Alv. Mulato. The triumvirate of Gumban, Torre and Zaragoza Cano ruled it out for years in poetry, their rivalry magnified by the public balagtasan or poetic joust. The establishment of Hiligaynon magazine by Liwayway Publications in Manila and of the Makinaugalingon Press by Rosendo Mejica in Iloilo City further strengthened Hiligaynon literature.
Yuhum Magazine
Jalandoni, Muzones, Gonzales and Mulato wrote their way through the Japanese Occupation and on to the fifties and the sixties which saw two new novelists, Jose E. Yap and Conrado Norada. The establishment of Yuhum magazine in Iloilo City by La Defensa Press and of the short-lived Kasanag by Diolosa Publications, kept literature not only alive but strong. Big names were Ramon L. Muzones, Santiago Alv. Mulato, Conrado Norada, Abe Gonzales andMagdalena Jalandoni. Jose E. Yap had started his series of science-fiction novels. New names came like Hernando Siscar , Antonio Joquiño and Isabelo Sobrevega.
The influence of English literature, especially in the short story, became pronounced in the 1960's when Hiligaynon writers became more aware of formalist guidelines like characterization, local color and irony. The short story became popular while the novel with Muzones, Yap and Norada at the helm kept its position. Emerging from the sixties are important names of the present: Nilo P. Pamonag, Lucila V. Hosillos, Mario L. Villaret, Romeo Garganera, Ner E. Jedeliz, Jr., Quin Baterna and Jose Ali Bedaño who wrote under the name of Julius Flores. Two prominent women novelists are Ismaelita Floro-Luza of Roxas City and Ma. Luisa Defante-Gibraltar of Bacolod.
Yuhum stopped publication in the sixties and resumed during Martial law. Hiligaynon closed during Martial law and resurrected in 1989.
The Cory Revolution of 1986 is an important milestones in the history of Hiligaynon literature. Because of the new management of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the creation of the Presidential Commission for Culture and the Arts which later became the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, new writing and new writers have been born. The CCP and the NCCA have become truly the people's patrons of the arts by paving the way for the creation of regional and local art councils, providing writing grants to writers of marginalized languages, supporting workshops and publications and conferring awards. Competitions likewise have had their share in the ferment of new writing. Most significant is the inclusion of the Hiligaynon short story, alongside that of Cebuano and Iluko, in the Palanca Awards since 1997.
http://books.google.com.ph/books?id=95VkAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&hl=en#v=onepage&q&f=false
The relatively short period from the 1920's to the coming of the Japanese is considered the Golden Age. This produced Angel Magahum (first novelist for Benjamin), poet Delfin Gumban, poet Serapion Torre, poet-translator (from Spanish) Flavio Zaragoza Cano, essayist-journalist Rosendo Mejica, zarzuela masters Jose Ma. Ingalla and Jose Ma. Nava, playwright Miguel Montelibano, novelist-poet Magdalena Jalandoni, essayist Augurio Abeto and Abe Gonzales, and the young novelist Ramon L. Musones and poet Santiago Alv. Mulato. The triumvirate of Gumban, Torre and Zaragoza Cano ruled it out for years in poetry, their rivalry magnified by the public balagtasan or poetic joust. The establishment of Hiligaynon magazine by Liwayway Publications in Manila and of the Makinaugalingon Press by Rosendo Mejica in Iloilo City further strengthened Hiligaynon literature.
Yuhum Magazine
Jalandoni, Muzones, Gonzales and Mulato wrote their way through the Japanese Occupation and on to the fifties and the sixties which saw two new novelists, Jose E. Yap and Conrado Norada. The establishment of Yuhum magazine in Iloilo City by La Defensa Press and of the short-lived Kasanag by Diolosa Publications, kept literature not only alive but strong. Big names were Ramon L. Muzones, Santiago Alv. Mulato, Conrado Norada, Abe Gonzales andMagdalena Jalandoni. Jose E. Yap had started his series of science-fiction novels. New names came like Hernando Siscar , Antonio Joquiño and Isabelo Sobrevega.
The influence of English literature, especially in the short story, became pronounced in the 1960's when Hiligaynon writers became more aware of formalist guidelines like characterization, local color and irony. The short story became popular while the novel with Muzones, Yap and Norada at the helm kept its position. Emerging from the sixties are important names of the present: Nilo P. Pamonag, Lucila V. Hosillos, Mario L. Villaret, Romeo Garganera, Ner E. Jedeliz, Jr., Quin Baterna and Jose Ali Bedaño who wrote under the name of Julius Flores. Two prominent women novelists are Ismaelita Floro-Luza of Roxas City and Ma. Luisa Defante-Gibraltar of Bacolod.
Yuhum stopped publication in the sixties and resumed during Martial law. Hiligaynon closed during Martial law and resurrected in 1989.
The Cory Revolution of 1986 is an important milestones in the history of Hiligaynon literature. Because of the new management of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the creation of the Presidential Commission for Culture and the Arts which later became the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, new writing and new writers have been born. The CCP and the NCCA have become truly the people's patrons of the arts by paving the way for the creation of regional and local art councils, providing writing grants to writers of marginalized languages, supporting workshops and publications and conferring awards. Competitions likewise have had their share in the ferment of new writing. Most significant is the inclusion of the Hiligaynon short story, alongside that of Cebuano and Iluko, in the Palanca Awards since 1997.
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