By SHERWIN DE VERA
www.nordis.net

(This is Ilocandia Rumblings’ maiden piece and before we enjoy reading this column, let me give you a short introduction.)

Ilocandia Rumblings was conceived to bring to the readership of Northern Dispatch some insights on and analyses of the issues and events in the Ilocos Region – mainly the provinces of La Union, Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte. In this regard, this column shall articulate the aspirations of the hardworking people west of the Cordillera from the point of view and standpoint of the oppressed and exploited. It shall dissect Ilocos society and expound on the rumblings in the peasant communities, workplaces, coastal areas and slums. It shall express the ideas and thoughts of the motive forces of change that are stifled or could not get a space in mainstream media.

In order to get to the bottom of every issue and event that will be written here, this writer will immerse in the communities and the different sectors in the Ilocos region, listen to the rumblings and witness the transformation of society. Ilocandia Rumblings will come out every last week of the month to give some leeway for this writer’s community immersions.

A glimpse of Ilocandia

Located at the Northwestern part of Luzon, a traveler will enter its first province – La Union in about six hours ride via the Manila North Road. The Heritage City of Vigan, where the Ilocos Sur capitol is seated and newly declared Wonder City is another three hours ride from the City of San Fernando, capital of La Union and from there, another two hours to if you plan to reach Laoag City in Ilocos Norte.

Ilocos is like a sandwich – a narrow strip of land hugged by the magnificent mountains of the Cordillera and the vast West Philippine Sea. While only a limited parcel is suitable for cultivation, the land is rich and fertile – enough to ensure that all the vegetables needed for Pinakbet (a famous Ilocano dish of assorted lowland vegetables) are always available. The coastal areas do not only pride of beautiful beaches and surfing waves but also of bountiful harvests of clams, seaweeds and fish.

The economy is largely agricultural with some light assemblies and manufacturing, and very few industries mainly concentrated in mining and quarrying. While rice and corn are largely grown by farmers, tobacco, which is the main crop being harvested and traded during this period, remains to be the top crop in the region in terms of value. Tobacco, specifically the Virginia variety, also provides large lump-sum funds from the provinces’ share of the products excise tax. Early this year, the Department of Budget and Management released about P2.9 Billion from the 2012-2013 excise tax collections.

Ilocandia has a claim of its own place in Philippine history, the birthplace of Fr. Jose Burgos and the setting of two famous revolts against Spanish colonial rule – the Silang and Basi revolts. The rolling hills, thick forest and rugged steppes of the Cordillera and Ilocos ranges provided a vast arena for Gen. Tinio’s guerilla warfare against the imperialist aggressors during the Philippine-American war.

The people are very religious, mostly Catholics and look highly on the church. Feudal customs are very apparent on how the people relate with local officials, landed clans and affluent individuals. Ilocanos are not only known to be brave but also hardworking and thrifty.

Politics is dominated by three political families – the Ortegas in La Union, Singsons in Ilocos Sur and the Marcoses in Ilocos Norte. Each dynasty is distinct in its own – the Ortegas are the longest ruling dynasty in the country, the Marcoses take pride of having the longest serving dictator president, and the Singsons have a folk-hero who was crucial in ousting a president.

Anyway, we will have a larger space to discuss economics, politics, social concerns and other “must know” in the region in the next issue. For now, let me leave you with the thought that Ilocandia is not just about beautiful beaches, mouth-watering food like bagnet, or world-renowned tourist spots. Beyond this façade, are the more colorful and life-changing things that Ilocos has to offer, the hodge-podge of social issues and day-to-day struggles of the ordinary Ilocano. # nordis.net