UPDATE: 4th TUGADE LITERARY AWARDS

     We have finalized the program for the winners of the 4th Tugade Literary Awards to be held at the Palacio de Laoag on September 29. It also will be a birthday celebration of T. Gabriel Tugade, Founder and President of Tugade Foundation which sponsored the literary contest, and Founder and President Emeritus TMI America Global. Guest of honor is Mayor Salvador S. Pillos of Marcos, Ilocos Norte. Apo Juan S.P. Hidalgo, Jr., will deliver a message which will center on his "camaraderie" with the Coromina writing boys composed among others, Jimmy Lozano, Peter La. Julian, Gene Sumaoang, Lorenzo Tabin and his brother Herman, and T. Gabriel Tugade. 
     
     The program will be in the morning. Theme is Panagtutunos dagiti Mannurat nga Ilokano ken ti Pannakapabaknang ti Literatura Iluko. 

     Please indicate your attendance by texting Linda Tugade at her cp#09999957353 not later than Sept. 15. Ilokano books and copies of Timpuyog Journal will be distributed during the affair.

DIOS-TI-AGNGINA, APO JUAN S.P. HIDALGO, JR.

A camera shot from the Gilbert bridge of Padsan River with the famous Bantay Bimmaboy in the background

Sun clock at the Ilocos Norte Provincial capitol in Laoag. When the hour changes, an out-of tune Pamulinawen is played.

The on-going Pure Gold Mall with the Laoag Bell Tower in the background

     US-based T. Gabriel Tugade called, 20 minutes ago, informing the blogger that Juan S. P. Hidalgo, Jr., former literary editor of Bannawag, the Ilokano weekly magazine, has confirmed his attendance to the 4th Tugade Literary Awards program. The venue of the September 29 affair will be Palacio/Palazzo de Laoag at P. Paterno St., barangay 27, in Laoag City. Muchas gracias, Apo Hidalgo. Agkikitatayonto sadiay. For others who would like to come to this rare gathering of Ilokano mannurat, please call us at # 09234718571. Or e-mail us at andrewlab2011@hotmail.com.
      According to Tito, one of the Coromina writing boys when we were young and not so young in the late 1960s--Loring, Herman,  Jaime, Prescy, Tante, Ben, Peter--one or two Bannawag staffers including Diony Bulong will be coming. Welcome, kakabsatmi iti pluma.

   NOTA BENE:  Prescy, uray no immikaykan kadakami, kas kunam iti naudi a suratmo, umaykanto koma idiay Laoag iti daytoy nga okasion. Uray awan ni Tito, adda met ni Linda a kabsatna. Kasla metten re-uniontayo. Awisekto ni Genaro Sumaoang--balo daydi Lina Lorenzo-- a nabirokakon idiay Laoag. Dandanin maiddep ti lawag kadagiti matana.(Retrato ni Gene, autor ti "Siksika Laeng" a nobela iti Timpuyog Journal, ken ti apokona, ngato.) Addanto da Dr. Alegria, Binnong ken dadduma pay a naam-ammom idi naidestinoka iti siudad. Umaykanto koma, kumpadre.

ESTEEMED ILOKANO WRITER WHO SHOULD BE A NATIONAL ARTIST

     If there is an esteemed writer that deserves the description, it is Juan S.P. Hidalgo, Jr., who should be a National Artist. He is one respected Ilokano writer that includes F. Sionil Jose, the most translated Filipino writer; the literary icon Ariel Solver Agcaoili,  Pacifico Espanto, Paul B. Zafaralla, the late Ruperta Asuncion, the late Juan Alegre, the late Apo Godo Reyes, the late Arturo Padua, the late David Campanano, the late Santiago Alcantara, the late Pelagio Alcantara, the late Constante Casabar, the late Francisco Quitasol, Roy Aragon and the young Mighty Rasing and the much younger Junley Lorenzana Lazaga. Also deserving attention is the rising Ilokano writer Michael Soriano Macugay and the highlander Julio Belmes.

    T. Gabriel Tugade of the California-based Tugade Foundation is inviting Apo JSPH to the 4th Tugade Literary Awards program scheduled on Sept. 29 at the Palazzo de Laoag in Laoag City.  

REMINDER TO WINNERS OF the 4TH TUGADE LITERARY AWARDS

Greatness is always built on this foundation: the ability to appear, speak and act, as the most common man.--Shams-ud-din Muhammed Hafiz   

Aurora Park and the Ilocos Norte Provincial Capitol (background) in Laoag City

The 18th-century Laoag Sinking Belltower

     The venue for the Tugade Literary awarding program on Sept. 29 is Palazzo de Laoag at P. Paterno St., Barangay 27, Laoag City. It will be a whole- day affair starting at 9:00 AM. Kontakenyo koma dagiti sumaganad ket ibagayo ti yaatenderyo: Severino V. Pablo (771-5813) ken Linda Tugade (6700289). Kasta met da Roy V. Aragon, Dr. Ariel S. Agcaoili  ken Dr.  Jimmy Raras ken amin a past winners ti TLA. Mabalinyo ti mangitugot iti sangailiyo ngem pakammuanyo koma dagiti maseknan tapno maireserbaanda iti lamisaan.
     Adtoy ti listaan dagiti nangabak iti 4th Tugade Literary Awards, manipud iti umuna a gunggona: Joel B. Manuel, P15,000; Clarita Sumahit, P12,000; Fe Malucay, P10,000; Errol L. Abrew, P8,000; ken Danilo Antalan, P5,000. (Sarita)
     Ti listaan dagiti nangabak iti daniw, manipud iti umuna a gunggona: Joel B. Manuel, P3,000, Peter La. Julian, P2,000, Benjamin Pacris, P1, 500; ken da Daniel Nesperos ken Reynaldo Duque, sag-P1,000.   
     Malaksid iti daydi Dios-ti-alluadna a Clarita Sumahit a mabalin dagiti pannakabagina ti umawat iti cash prize ken sertipiko, maigunamgunam a mismo dagiti nangabak a mannurat ti umawat kadagiti cash prizes ken certificates.
     Awisendakayo amin a gagayyem ti Pluma Ilokana. Kadagiti adda iti adayo, it's worth visiting the Sunshine City. 




     

AN ANAGRAM IN TIMPUYOG JOURNAL, AUGUST 15, 2012

Literature's artifacts in the Ilokano gunglo
Rest in peace in Suso--fragments include the sick
Joke of a Jose Bragadocio: Kalienyo ti pamuon, kakabsat,
Dig the foundation, please dig the foundation of the patta.
Honestly, that's where the money was buried, you know.
    --anagram in "Simsimparat iti Sirok ti Anonang",
     Timpuyog Journal, August 15, 2012

THE KILLINGS IN RAMON, ISABELA/ COPS USELESS?

     A certain Reynaldo "Dagul" Aquino, 43, a cockpit gaffer, was gunned down two nights ago in Oscariz, Ramon, Isabela, while drinking hard liquor with a companion in the village market. It was "apagsipnget" when the assassin allegedly arrived, called out the victim's name, "Manong Dagul!" and shot him at his upper right arm. The bullet pierced the arm and went through his abdomen. It was dark and nobody saw the killer as he walked away. Last month, a certain Eddie Ganer, in his 50s was also, shot dead in the same village by an unknown assailant.

Camp Vizcarra in Aguinaldo, Ramon, Isabela. Below, part of the Magat High Dam, one of the biggest in Southeast Asia

     Aquino and Ganer were two of the more than 10 people, a great number of them village chiefs, murdered in the town for the past several years. The killers are scot-free. Town cops useless and need to be replaced? Oscariz villagers believe that the murderers of Aquino and Ganer are residents of Oscariz.

READ ILUKO POETRY CONTEST RULES closely

Writers participating in the Severino and Eufemia Lacar Commemorative Award in Iluko Poetry should read the rules closely. This early at least five who submitted entries have been disqualified. These are some of the rules: send entries to frapmac_era@yahoo.com and andrewlab2011@hotmail.com. For the hard copies, send them to Franklin P. Macugay, Cabatuan Municipal Hall, Cabatuan, Isabela; and to Peter La. Julian, 23 National Road, Oscariz, Ramon, Isabela. The rules are explicit.

THE LAST OF THE FOUR MARCOS SIBLINGS

In Timpuyog Journal of August 15, 2012. At the height of martial law in the 1970s, only a few people were given access to the Marcoses, particularly the siblings: Pacifico, Elizabeth, and Fortuna the youngest.

What happened to Fortuna? Why did she not play a role in the regime of her brother Ferdinand Marcos? What does she think of the younger political generations of the Marcoses?

The article tackles more of the questions.
Also in the same issue in an article by Andres Miguel Pasion in "Simsimparat iti Sirok ti Anonang" the question of killing oneself: She was beautiful, the slender kind, fair-complexioned, with a ready smile that would have disarmed you. She would have had wonderful, wonderful years ahead of her. Yet on the night her lover told her their relationship had ended, she killed herself--all of her 21 years on earth. If you were Lani, the village lass of Ambatali, Ramon, Isabela, who decided to end her life one Sunday night, what would you have done in a similar situation?

Palacio/Palazzo de Laoag as Venue of Awarding Program for Winners in the 4th Tugade Literary Awards

     From far-away Marcos, Ilocos Norte, Linda Tugade sent a text message informing the blogger  that Palacio/Palazzo de Laoag (P. Paterno St., Barangay 27 in Laoag City) will be the venue of the awarding program of the winners of the 4thTugade Literary Awards.  This despite previous announcements that Marcos,  Linda and his brother T. Gabriel Tugade's hometown, will host the event on September 29, 2012. 
     Because of this development, we are  holding the attention of the following (short story winners): Joel Manuel, the relatives of the late Clarita Sumahit, Fe Malucay, Errol Abrew, and Danilo Antalan; and ( the poetry winners): Joel Manuel, Peter La. Julian, Benjamin Pacris, Daniel Nisperos, and Reynaldo Duque.  Ditto for the the board of judges: Roy Aragon, Dr. Jaime Raras,  and Dr. Aurelio Solver Agcaoili; including all past winners of the Tugade Literary Awards and the staffers of Bannawag, where the short stories and poems were published. 
     Tito,  the California-based businessman, sponsor of the literary contest, is also inviting members of Gumil and Timpuyog, Nakem Conference, and all lovers of the Samtoy and Literatura Iluko , to attend the affair. Kontakenyo koma daytoy a blogger (09234781751/andrewlab2011@hotmail.com) wenno ni Apo Severino V. Pablo, coordinator ti Tugade Foundation Awarding Program (771-5813/670-0289), so we can reserve a table for you.    
     Special invitation to Djuna Alcantara and Eddie Angco and her mother Manang Ising.

Dagiti Simmiasi iti Linia ti Diskurso ti Agsagsagaba a Cristo

Ritual of the Risen Christ as enacted in the Laoag Cathedral Church last Lent. Photo by Andres Miguel Pasion




 

Kumpadre,
Maburiborak no kua iti maysa  a paset ti Bilia a kastoy ti kunana: "Uray ti Diablo mabalinna met nga isitar ti Nasantuan a Surat." Saan a kastoy ti eksakto a pannakaipatarus daytoy iti Naimbag a Damag.
Malagipko man ti salaysay ni Myra Yoro Madayag iti maysa nga isyu ti Timpuyog Journal maipapan iti pastor a nagpatakder iti mansion ti familiana ken gimmatang iti adu nga ektaria a daga. Ti inusarna a kuarta? Dagiti donasion nga agpaay koma iti iglesiana ken ti pannakaiwaras ti Sao ti Dios. Iti daytoy a punto, adda iti panunotko dagiti Velarde, Villanueva, papastor, papadi, diakonesa ken amin a mangaskasaba a kunak a simmiasi iti linia ti diskurso ti Agsagsagaba a Kristo ken ti Apo a Mannakabalin-amin.  

Paset ti surat ni Prescy Bermudez:

Maipapan it "dugol", seguradoak a naawat ni ex-Judge Vivencio Baclig. Adda iti ikutna ti nasao a surat. Adda kenkuana ti rumbeng a maaramid iti nasao a surat. Naipakaammok metten daytoy kadakayo.

DIOS-TI-AGNGINA, GENERAL BARTOLOME

The Ilocos Norte Provincial Capitol (top photo) and part of the Aurora Park, both in Laoag City

We have given up the case against some members of the Laoag Police Station who trespassed on a house to arrest an alleged drug pusher, a certain Victor Padayao, 44,  last March 21. Our son, owner of the house, and his wife failed to execute an affidavit regarding the case. Their sons and daughter, aged 2-15, also did not submit an affidavit within the time period the police (Ilocos Norte PNP provincial investigation assistance service) set for them. We, too were unable to execute an affidavit based on our letter to Gen. Nicanor Bartolome. We thought the case would be dismissed. But the PNP summary hearing officer saw a probable cause. No doubt about it: they read our letter to the good general and the report of the police team regarding the raid. In our letter to Gen. Bartolome, we detailed the facts about a group of Laoag cops entering, without authority or warrant from the courts, the house of my son and his wife--they were not present in the house when the lawmen came, kicking doors with drawn guns. They did not even coordinate with barangay officials. Only young kids were inside the house at that time: my grandchildren and their friends and cousins.  One of the cops, refused to take the statement of Juvy, my son Eugene's wife, who who went to the police station to put on record the unauthorized "raid". Now the cops are being investigated by the the Regional Investigation and Assistance Service in San Fernando City, La Union. The first hearing will be made on August 31 in Camp Florendo. Thanks, also, to the very young Atty Benilda Indasen, the summary hearing officer.

Launching of Ariel's Contemporary Ilokano-English Dictionary

Art representation of a typical Ilokano May Santa Cruzan

We missed most of Dr. Aurelio Solver Agcaoili's lecture on Liberation Linguistics during the launching of his Contemporary Ilokano-English Dictionary at the  Laoag campus of the Mariano Marcos State University College of Teacher Education on August 11, 2012. Of course, as usual, he, formerly of the University of the Philippines, and now at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, challenged the thinking of his audience--students, teachers, a lot of Ph.D holders-on language, specifically Iluko. Undoubtedly, Dr. Ariel opened their eyes on how important the language is vis-avis other languages in the Philippines. We were surprised at the reactions of two faculty members, who were "liberated" from whatever notions--"I thought Ilokano is a dying language--" they have with Iluko. Our only comment all throughout their spoken essay: they did ot utter a single Ilokano word. Nevertheless, they have been "converted"--they are Ilokanos and they love the language. "Kiniwar" ni Apo Ariel ti panunotda. Re his dictionary, it is as "heavy" as his English-Ilokano dictionary (top photo) launched two years ago. The US edition priced at P4,999.00 has 1,800 plus pages and 35,000 Iluko words. The book should be a "must own" book to writers, teachers, especially those involved in mother language education. Another major accomplishment of the most active Ilokano literary brain--ti pudpudno a malalaki iti puli.

UPDATE: 4TH TUGADE LITERARY AWARDS PROGRAM FOR WINNERS

Terry Gabriel Tugade, the California-based businessman, philanthropist and sponsor of the 4th Tugade Literary Awards has just phoned this blogger: the awarding program for the winners will be held on September 29, 2012 in his hometown of Marcos, Ilocos Norte. No matter what. Sao ti malalaki iti padana (kano) a malalaki.  He has upped the honorariums of the board of judges chaired by Roy Aragon and the prizes of winners in the poetry category. Of course, this is understood. He has given authority to his fellow "Coromina boys" to invite all Ilokano writers, Gumil man wenno Timpuyog members. He has in mind Juan S.P. Hidalgo, Jr., Aida Tiama, Linda Lingbaoan, even Cles Rambaud. Amin-amin? Wen, a, kunana. Including past winners of the Tugade Literary Awards.

MAGAPIT TO OPEN AUGUST 16?

Add caption

A Laoag TV broadcast yesterday said that the Magapit Suspension Bridge in Lallo, Cagayan,which has been undergoing rehabilitation 2-3 months ago will be opened for traffic on August 16. We shall be crossing our fingers. A doubting Thomas, indeed--he does not believe unless he sees the real thing. Besides, the TV anchor Grace Alba did not cite authorities. A journalist worth his or her salt always quotes responsible people to authenticate claims or statements and make them ring true. According to reports from a DPWH official, the bridge, the only one of its kind in the Philippines, is being rehabilitated at a cost of P100-million.

SCARY MINUTES CROSSING THE MIGHTY CAGAYAN RIVER

Photographed on a clear day when the blogger was going back to Isabela. The ferry, which transports light vehicles like this passenger van bound for Tuguegarao, is made afloat by two bancas on each side. It is being operated by a private contractor rehabilitating the Magapit Suspension Bridge. Passengers bound for the other side of the river ride the ferry for free. Private bancas charge P10 each passenger..

The weatherman said Typhoon Saola has left the country's area of responsibility but the rains persisted. No sign of the sun. The bus disgorged its passengers along the Aparri road, where we would go down, baggage and all, and take the banca ride to the other side of the Cagayan River in Lallo town.  There were three means of crossing the river: the open puny banca, the barge with a roof and the ferry where light vehicles are transported. We rode on the motor-driven banca, that can accommodate at least 15 passengers. I had doubts and a little bit scared. Naapres ti karayan. The water is colored brown like the P6.00 Kopiko brown coffee I drank this morning in Oscariz. We took our seats at the end of the boat, where the motor was located and being revived as we started boarding it .When all the passengers--all were given identical orange life vests-- had taken their seats the boat was tilting from side to side. It was scary. Supposed one or two passengers could not control himself or herself especially in the middle of the river, which is 30 feet? I took stock of the things I would let go if the boat capsized--my luggage, my shoes, but not my laptop.  I was tense as most probably all the passengers were as we crossed the river, thank God,  safely to the other side in the village called Bangag.

WHERE IS MAGANDANG KALSADA?

Laoag street boys strike a pose before the blogger's camera, perhaps not knowing that the 18-century Roman Catholic Church Tower (background) and the Tobacco Monopoly Monument (foreground) are Spanish historical relics of their historic city.

The question, of course, is already answered although the road is not located in the so-called Sunshine City. The sign is found in Northern Ilocos Norte. Magandang kalsada is a strange combination of words in the heart of the Ilocos. It reflects many things, like an evolving language,  or the powers' disrespect for the culture of the Ilokanos. Language is a part of culture.

PLEASE ASK DR. DEDICACION AGATEP-REYES WHY SHE SAID, "BULOK TI GUNGLO."

Dr. Dedicacion Agatep- Reyes (5th from left) in a souvenir photo with Hawaii TMI members and TMIF ace photographer Dr. Edwin Antonio during the opening of the latter's photo exhibit in connection with the 2011 TMI-Global International Iluko Literary conference at Nick's Function hall in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte

Dr. Dedicacion Agatep-Reyes, wife of the late Gov. Godofredo Reyes, 13-time president of Gumil Filipinas, poses with Dr. Aurelio Solver Agcaoili of the University of Hawaii during a lull in the  Iluko Literary Conference in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte. .

   

"3 in 1" LACAR POETRY CONTEST

For those submitting entries to the Lacar Poetry Contest:

1. Three (3) poems of 21 lines each are needed to qualify for a prize. Meaning, three poems comprise  one entry--the writer can only submit one entry.

The Ilokano Pagablan on display at the Museum of Traditional Arts in Tabacalera in Laoag City

2. For each poem submitted, please mark in the manuscript: for Lacar Poetry Contest/para iti Lacar Poetry Contest. Also, the writer's true name, address and contact number  should appear in the manuscript.
3. The writer may submit a set of 3 poems or a poem one at a time until the set is completed.
4. Or the writer can submit a long poem of at least 63 lines.
5. Only original and unpublished entries are accepted.
6. The writer can chose any theme but poems must reflect Ilokano culture and norms.

Prizes: P10,000, first prize; P7,000, second prize; P5,000, third prize; and 3 consolation prizes at P1,000 each.

Send entries to franklin_macugay@yahoo. com and andrewlab2011@hotmail. com. For the hard copies, send them to to Peter La. Julian, 23 National Road, Oscariz, Ramon, Isabela; and Franklin P. Macugay, Cabatuan Municipal Hall, Cabatuan, Isabela

5. Feb. 2013 is the deadline for submission of entries

WHO KNOWS?

Terry Tugade, one of the 'Coromina' boys,  a group of young struggling writers who rented a room of a rundown house along Coromina street in Quiapo,  has allotted fund for the expenses in the awarding program for winners of the 4th Tugade Iluko Literary Awards to be held on Sept. 29, 2012 in his hometown of Marcos, Ilocos Norte. Kadagiti inawismi a dumar-ay iti pasken, umaykayo koma ta amangan no maallukoytayo manen ni Tito a mangisponsor iti pasalip ti sarita. Awan ti ilaklaksidmi iti daytoy a pasken. Maysa pay, formal a yalnagminto ti maysa a pasalip iti panagsurat iti nasao nga awarding program.