THE ILOKO STEREOTYPE

There are stereotypes that Ilocanos can hardly break away from.

First, Ilocanos are dark people. We cannot change this genetic trait, although certain dermatologists would strive just for that. I believe that black is beautiful though, but this is not popular opinion here. We are, put candidly, a chocolate race... and I just happen to be white chocolate.

Second, Ilocanos have the most rigid speech in the country. We pronounce the letter r as if there were no other letters of the alphabet. It is again a national joke: jeans in Ilocano is wrranglerrr, traffic is bumperrr-to-bumperrr, and so on.

However---we are also, for stereotype number 3, a region very devoted to education--- so some of our children can easily outspeak those from the other regions when it comes to Tagalog or English. These children are usually lucky enough to grow up in mansions sprouting from the rice fields, cared for by family members who alternate in working abroad, and I mean the USA, Canada, UK, Norway, and so on.

Pardon for my lack of well-researched info, but many Philippine Presidents are/were children of the North. The most popular Northerner leader undoubtedly is Ferdinand Marcos, Sr., although I am personally not proud of his tainted regime. Other Northeners (although not really Iloco) include Fidel Ramos and Gloria Arroyo.

Fourth, Ilocanos are stingy. Guilty as charged, but this does not mean though that we are also selfish. Frugality is essential in our lifestyle. The irony of it is that we have our own windmills, but we still pay the most expensive energy rate in the entire country! Our natural resources are abundant, but most of their yields are enjoyed by non-Ilocanos through export or because of unbelievably high prices. Do you ever wonder which region in the country has the most expensive gas? Of course, the provinces at the tip of the map, that would be Ilocandia and Cagayan. Everything transported to our area costs much higher than in the grand metropolis called Manila. So, if you ever ask why we scowl at the cost of coffee in Starbucks, this is the answer you should keep in mind.

Lastly, we are non-confrontational people. Many speculate that Ilocanos hardly celebrate anything related to People Power because of our affinity to Marcos, who was of course the target of the revolution. The truth is that we could not care less about People Power--- it is history, it is done. In fact, I do not even see any Marcos loyalist here anymore. We also do not condemn the family that threw out Marcoses, i.e., the Aquinos. Pun not intended, but I do see a lot of Kris Aquino fans here in Ilocos!

The last thing we want is a situation to complicate our lives. Everybody is our friend--- everybody is welcome to Ilocandias, Visayans, Moslems, American Mormons, Taiwanese and Korean tourists who fly in nonstop, even the communist New People's Army. Ilocanos do not like war.

But beware, Northerners are valiant fighters. Chavit Singson and Bingbong Crisologo could break into outrage over their respective issues anytime provoked. Abra, based on its political history, has a blood-stained reputation which Ilocos Norte seems to sadly be following already.

So, we just might be breaking the fourth stereotype in a decade... and if we all get rich from our own efforts including that of claiming full rights to the windmills and other resources, Ilocanos might start spending some dough a little bit more. Surely, when we have more speech tutors or chances to visit other nations, our stubborn tongues could also improve... and if the climates in those other countries could help, our skin tone might also lighten up.

And our struggle to keep education our priority? Knowing Ilocanos, this will be the most probable stereotype left standing.

Sama Summer Together with Michael V Fariñas 2007

The city mayor's summer project for all youth of Laoag, a totally FREE arts and sports workshop, has much promise not just for the paticipants but for the city itself.

Eager relatives and friends trooped to the ampitheater to witness the performances of their kids in singing, {pop-modern} dancing, and guitar---- true to form in the trademark Pinoy glee born of Eat Bulaga and Wowowee.





Asked if I would send my daughter for another shot next summer, my honest answer would be NO FOR DANCING, but I may consider the painting lessons.











As a veteran of dance workshops, I was not impressed by the M-W-F instruction because of conditions such as no permanent rehearsal place, extremely poor correspondence with participants, and the 3 (instructors) to 400+ (students) ratio. Yes, 400... 400 plus, and that is just for the dance workshop alone! The sincerity of the dance instructors was clear, however, and it was basically up to the decent parent to decide if such embarkment is enough for the child's development. Afterall, our most beloved noontime teevee shows don't suggest anything like rigid training to attain craft perfection. Perhaps fun is enough, at least for our kids' age.

Talking Pictures of Currimao

What


are


these


photos


telling


you?

C u r r i m a o

The mid-day catch is about to come in here in the fishing town
of Currimao, Ilocos Norte.

Older fisherfolk know what they're doing,
while the younger... learn the ropes.

Some tourists grab the photo opportunity;

while others grab the experience itself!

The vendors arrive with hopes as high as the sun.

Honestly, my fingers were crossed for a spectacular catch---
like a whale or a giant squid!

But nothing like that today...



Just a few sacks of uber fresh catch...



Talakitok at Php250/kilo----



not bad at all.

Best of all, tourists who help bring in the catch...
get to take home what jumps in their bags.

Heads of Garlic

I told the person beside me, "You don't wanna smell the breath on that girl." Pretty as she is, that is a whole bulb of garlic sitting on her skull. That must be a major hindrance to finding a decent guy.

Ilocos is really popular for the powerful garlic variety that we grow. Unfortunately, the Taiwan garlic, which is a thousand times milder in flavor and simply easier to cut because it is grande, has overtaken the Iloco variant in the preference scale of most Pinoys. The Iloco garlic is also more expensive, one more reason to not be too fond of it.

All is good, however, to the skilled cook and the hungry gourmand. This is why our province never became famous for aswangs and the like.

Sunny Smiles & More

The majestic Paoay Church whose buttresses are globally acclaimed...





The immaculately white sands of Pagudpud--- it's not a sugary fantasy because it's real, baby...





The familes and friends who frolic wearing smiles that undoubtedly come only from somewhere sunny...

This is the Northern Ilocandias, welcome!!

HOLY SPIRIT ACADEMY OF LAOAG

The HSAL is a steadfast educational institution unrivalled by most religious schools here in Laoag. The term is steadfast: through the years, its reputation has been as strong as its architecture and its yield. My own grandmother is a product of Holy Spirit Academy.

Located beside the Laoag Cathedral, HSAL boasts of a view of the Laoag River and the Gilbert Bridge. It is also within steps of the only McDonald's in the whole province. Many prominent families enrol their children to Holy Spirit.

The fees are very reasonable, considering that it is a well-esteemed school. My sister-in-law, whose daughter is about to enter the 4th grade this June, pays no more than Php10,000.00 for the entire school year, inclusive of book and uniforms.

Activities are also varied, from academic forums to sports and cultural presentations, as well as artistic endeavors such as the piano recital shown in the photo.

Sexy Beach of Pasuquin.

Nobody knows why it is named as such, because for the many times I have gone there, I have never seen anybody sexy.

If you say sexiness is an attitude, well, okay, then I was the only sexy person there.

Black sands but shallow waters.

Clarity may also be an issue, but hey, no sharks.

And no sexy people. so you don't need an extra-lucid underwater view,

so what the heck.

Cottages go from Php300.00 to as high as Php1,000.00 per day.

No toilets whatsoever.

Pearly Shakes

Oohlala, double dutch, hit the clutch

Rise to the 6th gear if there is such

Love this cooler so very much

Come Sea Badoc

Badoc is the fist town of Ilocos Norte.

Entering the town center literally becomes a sidetrip as more of its fields, hills, and coastal highlights are shown by the freeway.

This particular area is a resort owned by the Prieto-Calajate families. Several cottages are available for rentals, but you have to reserve them in advance as they often get filled up during the summer.

Sun block is a must even when you stay in the shade. The Ilocanosare legendary for the chocolate complexion, and the reason is obvious: this is a land kissed by the sun, where the sea could surround you without being in the water, and the sand could toast your heels just for playfulness' sake.

Fort Ilocandia

For some reason, vacationing in the Ilocandias is more expensive than in the more popular Cebu, Davao, Palawan.
Check out the newspapers and you'll see that travel agencies ask for more given a 3-day, 2-night arrangement.
So if you're really going to spend anyway.... JUST GO ALL THE WAY!


Fort Ilocandia is the only 5-star hotel in the region.

Translation: it is uber comfortable.

It will make you feel like you're on a pristine island, detached from all civilization.

Translation: WIFI technology has not yet arrived here.

Note, however, that I recommend you book through your trusted travel agent instead
of walking-in or emailing. Somebody once booked a room and heard a
quotation of Php9,600.+++... and then seeing the very same room on
the updated precisionrates.com for only US$64.

When Somebody inquired via email, Fort Ilocandia reps confirmed
the validity of precisionrates.com, then asked, "Are you a travel agent?"

Translation: the place is great, but the workers may annoy you somewhat.
Have a great time anyway (wear earplugs.)

KALESA TOUR

Kutseros (kalesa drivers) are willing to take tourists around the city for a minimal fee. If there are only 2 of you, meaning you have not exactly dismayed the horse pulling all your weight, then a 10-15 minute ride around the vicinity would be somewhere around Php30.00.

If you filled up the car (i.e., your kids are actually sitting on the driver's lap already) or if you intend to make it a longer ride, perhaps even outside the city, then a minimum of Php50.00 to Php100.00 is just fair.

Warning for those with back problems though--- this ride may not be for you.

Otherwise, enjoy!

Johnson's Place

YUM CHA is not an odd habit in Laoag, which HongKong and Taiwan folk consider extremely geographically desirable. It is easy to find savory fare such as siomai, siopao, and the items shown in the picture--- Japanese style steamed gyoza, and my 2 absolute favorites: hakaw (with tiger prawn inside) and phoenix claws... well, ok, if you still want me to say it

---chicken feet!

Johnson's Place serves authentic Chinese food at reasonable prices. It helps that the bakeshop houses the luncheon room, so anytime you crave for pastries or cake during your Johnson's dining experience, there is virtually no escape.

There are also large function halls of different sizes on the 3rd floor, just in case you want to have a party. My family has many, many times picked Johnson's for events. In fact, I have done most of the coodination (with the pretty manager named Maybel) throughout the years; the last time I sat before her, she automatically scribbled down the menu I usually order. Johnson's is that efficient.

Taste is no question. Meats are usually tender, baked goods made with no preservatives, and menu regularly updated with trends from more upscale restaurants. I have honestly never ordered anything that disappointed me from this place. Even my baguettes, cream cheese and jarred pesto all come from Johnson's.