4th Tugade Iluko Literary Awards Program On Going

     The program at the 4th floor of the Palacio de Laoag along Vintar Road started a little bit late. The usual Filipino way of not keeping time. It is now 10 minutes to 11:am. Dr. Alegria Tan of MMSU and Nakem Conferences Philippines is giving a welcome address in lieu of Juan S.P.Hidalgo, Jr. who earlier informed Linda Tugade that he was going to Rosales, Pangasinan today, September 29, and would not be attending the affair. JSPH, Jr. is a perennial candidate for National Artist. Timpuyog dagiti Mannurat iti Iluko iti Filipinas and Nakem Conferences could nominate him.

     Book author Herdy La. Yumul and his Mariano Marcos Memorial State University students come into the venue. The usual greeting and acknowledgement. Come the top winner in both the short story and poetry categories Iluko writer Joel Manuel and his high school student writers, who are, he says, stage actors (Ilokano komedia).   Mrs. Elizabeth Madarang Raquel, Ilocos Norte Gumil stalwart,  and two other officials of Dep-Ed Ilocos Norte have just entered  the venue. Properly acknowledged by the emcee, a DJ of an FM station in Laoag. It's now 11:30 AM. The message of T. Gabriel Tugade, from San Francisco, CA being read by his sister Linda. The arrival of 2nd prize-winner Fe Malucay-Galvez with husband and a baby girl and probably a 4-year sister in tow. Other winners entered the venue-- poetry winner Daniel Nesperos of San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte and 5th placer of the short story category Danilo Antalan and non-winners Renato Taylan of Bacarra, Mario Tejada of Piddig, Oswald Valiente of Currimao and Timpuyog dagiti Mannurat iti Iluko iti Filipinas Placido.

    Dr. Edwin Antonio, straight from the Laoag International Airport from Basilan arrives by his lonesome. He tells the blogger about the Indigenous People's Day to be celebrated in Bulacan on Nov. 26-28.

     T. Gabriel Tugade is monitoring the event from California. He calls the blogger now and then. Here's his email message: It is truly an Ilokano-literary cultural milestone. The day will be remembered. It will be a part of our history--especially the TMI Global history. You made it happen. Dios-ti-agngina.

     Dr. Dedicacion Agatep-Reyes calls Linda. She expresses regrets because, according to her, she forgets this day she and her husband, the late Gov. Godofredo Reyes, will be receiving the Dagiti Teddek ti Kultura ken Literatura Iluko Award that the US-based Tugade Foundation and TMIF are bestowing on her. The blogger trusts Dr. Dedicacion who in February 2009 told the former something about the patta (unfinished house) of the writers that still stands today on a lot in Suso, not far away from their house.

   Just received a text message from Hermie Viloria of Vigan asking" Sinno ti namalakad ken ni Jose Bragado a bangonenna ti balay ti Gumil? " Pedro Bucaneg awardee in Hermie.

     Intermission:  renditions of Ilokano songs ("No Duaduaem Pay", "Naraniag a Bulan", kpy.) by Aweng Chorus Group composed of young high school students of Marcos town. Makapaseggar ti kinalaingda nga agkanta.

     Giving of checks and certificates to the winners of the 4th Tugade Iluko Literary Awards.
     Singing of the traditional birthday song "Padapadakam" in honor of the birthday celebrant, T. Gabriel Tugade, president and CEO of the Tugade Foundation. 
     The blogger delivers the closing remarks. He tells his audience that TIMF is building the Timpuyog Journal as the best Ilokano-English magazine in the Amianan, if not in the entire Philippines.

The first Iluko novel in book form, antedating Hidalgo's "Bituen ti Rosales' was published. Tugade's novel was serialized in Bannawag. It was also those times that Julian's Casa Fernandez and Tabin's Pakpakawan Berde, were published in the Ilokano magazine.

Did a little jogging this morning and will be going to the Palacio any moment from now. I have not seen the Philippine Daily Inquirer that is supposed to carry the news about the 4th Tugade Iluko Literary Awards in today' issue. The latest issues of Timpuyog Journal and an Ilokano book will be given free to the first 100 guests.

Have just gotten the news that Laoag City Vice-Mayor Eddie Domingo, strong supporter of TMIF and subscriber of Timpuyog Journal died at dawn today of a heart attack at the family house in the city. He was 73. Sapay koma ta aginana ti kararuam, Eddie, my friend and high school classmate at the old Ilocos Norte College of Arts and Trades. 

THE PEACE PIPE

Tallo a Kaputotan (Three Generations)

Museo de Laoag

We offered the peace pipe and waved the olive branch, says T. Gabriel Tugade whose US-based foundation sponsored the 4th Tugade Iluko Literary Awards, the awarding program of which will be held at the Palacio de Laoag along P. Paterno St., barangay 27, on September 29.  The opportunity came but they let it passed away. The blogger knew they would blow it. If they did not respect their word, they did not respect themselves, because respect begins with the self.

UPDATE ON THE 4TH TUGADE LITERARY AWARDS

     The show must go on, so they say. Some guests who expressed willingness to attend the affair has called they would not be coming because they were going elsewhere on that day. No comment except our regrets to their "fans" who would not be seeing a shadow of their idols.

     Today, this blogger, Linda Tugade and Severino V. Pablo inspected the venue--Palacio de Laoag along Vintar Road. We brought with us a cartoon of Ilokano books and copies of the Timpuyog Journal to be given free to the first 100 arrivals in the morning of September 29.

LAST CALL FOR WINNERS OF THE 4TH TUGADE ILUKO LITERARY AWARDS

Laoag street (J.P. Rizal) scene in front of the Ilocos Norte Provincial Capitol

The first Ilokano novel in book form. Now being serialized in Timpuyog Journal.

     The program for winners of the 4th Tugade Iluko Literary Awards will go on as scheduled on September 29 at the Palacio de Laoag on Paterno St. along Vintar Road in Laoag City. The following will receive their cash awards and certificates:

      A. Short Story: Joel Manuel, first prize, P15,000; Clarita Sumahit, 2nd prize, P12,000; Fe Malucay, 3rd prize, P10,000; Errol Abrew, 4th prize, P8,000; and Danilo Antalan, P5,000.

     B. Poetry: Joel Manuel, first prize, P3,00; Peter La. Julian, 2nd prize, P2,000; Benjamin Pacris, 3rd prize, P1,500; Daniel Nesperos and Reynaldo Duque, P1,000 each.

    At least 100 guests are expected to attend the affair. An Ilokano book and the latest issues of Timpuyog Journal  (August 31 and Sept. 15) will be given free each to the first 100 participants.  

LAST AND FINAL HEARING OF CASE AGAINST LAOAG CITY COPS

The Julian first cousins

We-- my son Eugene and his wife Juvy and I--  reported yesterday, September 24,  to the PNP Regional Investigation and Assistance Service at Camp Oscar Florendo in San Fernando City. The Laoag City cops led by SPO4 Rovimanuel Balolong and SP04 Wilfredo Calubaquib did not appear. Atty. Benilda Indasen gave them time to arrive starting at 2:00 p.m. but they were a no-show. The lawyer advised my son to submit within 15 days a position paper on the case, where PNP Chief Nicanor Bartolome will decide the penalties against the  cops. Whew! A monkey off the blogger's back who has traveled at least 10 times from Isabela to Laoag to San Fernando and back to attend to the case that arose last March 21 when the cops with drawn guns led by SPO4 Balolong barged into the house of Eugene. The cops in civvies arrived on a jeep with no plate number and did not have a search warrant. Only their children were inside the house at that time. It turned out they were looking for a certain Victor Padayao, 44, an alleged drug pusher, who lives elsewhere. Barangay chair Marlon Blanco, a relative, said the cops did not coordinate with village officials in this so-called "buy-bust" operation.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

What time is it in the morning? Sun-clock on the grounds of the Ilocos Norte Provincial Capitol in Laoag City

The kalesa is still the  king of the Road in Laoag City

     The Hawai'i- based Timpuyog dagiti Mannurat nga Ilokano-Global and Timpuyog dagiti Mannurat iti Iluko iti Filipinas will bestow on Juan S.P. Hidalgo, Jr. who has written memorable stories, novels, essays and poems in Bannawag, the Iluko weekly magazine, the Lifetime Achievement Award during the Tugade Iluko LIterary Awards program in Laoag City.
    The event, which expects at least 100 guests -Ilokano writers and new ones- will be held on September 29 at the Palacio de Laoag along Paterno St.,  Vintar Road.

JUETENG OLD STORY AND MALACANANG AS TOP PROTECTOR OF THE ILLEGAL NUMBERS GAME'S UGLY HEAD?

Tree-lined path to the legendary Paoay Lake in Ilocos Norte

Filipino politicos--it is said that some of them, especially those in the provinces, benefit from jueteng.

     Is the half-Ilokano Sen. Aquilino " Coco" Pimentel, Jr. serious in the jueteng probe? Are the senators joking? Can they dislodge Malacanang from its entrenched position as the number one protector of the illegal numbers' game? (When assigned for many years in La Union, the blogger asked the incumbent PNP provincial commander, a certain Diciano who has since become a police general, why they could not eradicate jueteng, he answered matter-of-factly, "Go and ask Malacanang".)
    Anyway, here's the blogger's report in the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Monday, February 2, 1998) after jueteng was stopped for three days in La Union.

     San Fernando, La Union--"Tuloy and ligaya (Let the celebration continue.)"
          This one-liner, part of a longer article which appeared in a weekly tabloid here, is not about an   interrupted celebration, but about jueteng which mysteriously stopped two days before and during President Ramos' visit here last week.
     Reports said jueteng resurfaced immediately after the President and the Cabinet members left this capital town after a regional meeting.
     Jueteng bettors and collectors even assailed Mr. Ramos and the Cabinet secretaries for holding the meeting here because they lost income during the three-day lull, according to a writer of the weekly tabloid Banat.
     Eddy Almadovar, Banat publisher-editor and a councilor in Bacnotan town, said when he delivered a privileged speech attacking the continued operation of jueteng in the town,  nobody among his colleagues was seriously listening.
     He claimed that he even got the ire of a top local official for his stance against jueteng.
     Reports here said jueteng resurfaced in La Union in December last year after almost a year of absence.
     Police and local officials in the province had signed a covenant in 1996 to stop jueteng operations in the province and in the Ilocos region but underground jueteng operations continued.

View from a beach resort in Bauang, La Union

     Bets, reports said, are openly collected even in government offices, schools, local police stations and even beach resorts frequented by tourists.
       

UPDATE ON THE TUGADE LITERARY AWARDING PROGRAM

Laoag's Aurora Park with the Ilocos Norte Provincial Capitol in the background

Rare dalipaoen tree in Pagudpud on the Ilocos- Cagayan road

     We would like to call attention to the winners of the 4th Tugade Literary Awarding program; everything is ready for the event at the Palacio de Laoag along Paterno Street, Vintar Road, on September 29.
     The winners, short story : Joel Manuel, first prize (P15,000); Clarita Sumahit, 2nd prize (P12,000); Fe Malucay, 3rd prize (P10,000); Errol Abrew, 4th prize(P8,000); and Danilo Antalan, 5th prize (P5,000). Poetry (Daniw): Joel Manuel, first prize (P3,000); Peter La. Julian, 2nd prize( P2,000); Benjamin Pacris, 3rd prize(P1,500); and Daniel Nesperos, Reynaldo Duque, consolation prizes (P500 each).
      We expect a hundred guests including past winners of Tugade Literary Awards, who will be  given an Ilokano book each and the latest issue of Timpuyog Journal. Please come early. The program starts at 9:00 AM.

THE TRUE PILLARS OF ILUKO LITERATURE

     Before we state their names them as the true pillars of  Ilokano Culture and Literature, we maintain the position that Iluko refers to the language that Ilokanos speak. That's why we have Timpuyog dagiti Mannurat iti Iluko iti Filipinas, the league of Iluko writers in the Philippines. In time we shall be replacing iti Iluko with nga Ilokano which would then include all Ilokano writers, whether they write in the language or Tagalog or English. For literary persons, there should be a distinction between Iluko and Ilokano. Yes, we are aware that Ilokano has come to mean the language that Ilokanos speak. But we want the young writers to know the history of their language.
     Are there researches made to make the conclusion that Ilokano has come to mean the language that Ilokanos speak? If there were, where was/were the question fielded. Or is this research/es made among non-Ilokanos?
     Incidentally, we had an argument with Samuel Bangloy, former speechwriter of the late Ferdinand Marcos and columnist of the old Manila Times, at MacDo in Laoag. He was talking about the Ilokano orthography (perhaps including words that have been adopted in the language?) that the Komision on Wikang Filipino has put its imprimatur. Is it research-based? I asked and Sammy lost his cool. But "peers" approved it, he said angrily. It must be the orthography that the so-called Biblia ti Amianan is serializing?
    Common, guys, don't parade yourself as incapable of doing what Sammy, English writer par excellence, has done in your turf.  Why did the bangolan (Sammy's peers?) allow Sammy, who can not write, according to our standards, a correct Ilokano binnatog (sentence), to make their orthography? How much did KWF pay Sammy for a work that should have been done by us? Who gave him the authority? Sammy, for all his briliance, is not credible as the Ilokano ortografia maker.   

The blogger and the late Apo Godo Reyes in February 2009. At right, is the unfinished Ilokano writers' house in Suso. The painted concrete posts and fence belong to the house of Brigido Daproza of Hawaii (Pix and text from Abel blog.)

     Who can dispute the fact that the late Apo Godofredo S. Reyes and his wife, Dr. Dedicacion Agatep- Reyes are the true pillars of Ilokano Culture and Literature?  They remained true to the gunglo, hosted the writers for many years and donated the lot on which the unfinished Gumil house was built. But, it appears, some betrayed their ideals and committed perfidies against them and against their own kind. And some of the young writers praise and lionize them (not the spouses).
     Timpuyog dagiti Mannurat iti Iluko iti Filipinas, the league of Iluko writers in the Philippines, will bestow on the late Apo Godo and his widow, the "Pammadayaw Award" during the 4th Tugade Literary Awarding Program on September 29 at the Palacio de Laoag along Paterno Street in the so-called Sunshine City.

Sept 24, 2012 Last of the Hearing of Case against Cops?

My son could not make it to the hearing of the case against Laoag City Cops set today, Sept 14, at the Philippine National Police Regional office in San Fernando City. The next hearing will be on Sept 24. If he will not come to the hearing, says my friend Eddie Almodovar, the case will be dismissed on the ground that the party is not interested in the case. A law graduate, Eddie said he will accompany us to the PNP regional office on the day of the hearing.

WILL THESE LAOAG CITY COPS GET AWAY WITH MISDEEDS?

The hearing of the case the blogger brought to the attention of Philippine National Police Chief General Nicanor Bartolome is scheduled tomorrow, Sept. 14, at the PNP regional office in San Fernando City. The case arose when a team of Laoag city cops conducted a so-called buy-bust operation against an alleged drug pusher, Victor Padayao, 44. The cops barged into the wrong house and with drawn guns kicked doors open in search of their quarry. Only children as young as two years of age were inside the house. When the wife went to the police station to report the incident, the cop on duty refused to take her statement for the police plotter. This happened in the late afternoon of March 21, 2012. The cops did not coordinate with village officials in conducting the raid.

TWO QUOTATIONS FROM TWO STRONG-WILLED WOMEN

Fascinated by the works of this author whose gender has intrigued me. Anais Nin says, 'There came a time when the risk to remain tied in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom."

    While Gail Sheehy opines, "If we don't change, we don't grow. If we don't grow, we are not really growing. Growth demands a temporary surrender of security."

"HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY"

Banner in front the Holy Spirit Academy in Laoag City

    It would have been better for President Aquino--not Congress--to tell the lawmakers, not them, (for they have not been known for their honesty), to make this resolution. Anyway, the public schools in my elementary days in Laoag were teaching this policy then. It was posted in several places inside the classroom of my youth at the old wooden two-storey Flor Building where the Bo.#2 Elementary School was housed. It could have been inculcated forever in the mind of this blogger for he would not forget the name of the teacher who taught her pupils this policy--Mrs. Gliceria Datoc, a plump woman who always wore black. She kept reminding us each time there was an infraction in class,"Honesty is the best policy." And each time she called me to her office.  (I was number one in her class, hehe.) 

The blogger thumbs up with Dr. Godofredo S. Reyes in their Suso, Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur home, where the                 unfinished house of  Ilokano writers (right) is located. The painted concrete fence is part of the enclosure of the house of Mr. Brigido Daproza who belongs to an Ilokano writing group in Hawaii. If the reader can open my other blog,  he or she can read the whole story above the picture.

     Decades later, I would take a writer to task and excoriate Ms. Elizabeth Madarang Raquel, a high education official in Ilocos Norte, about what they were supposed to teach in the grades. (Is her writing group honest? Apay nga agingga ita nabaybay-an ti patta nga inrugida idiay Suso, Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur? Mano a talaga ti naur-or a kuarta para iti balay dagiti mannurat? Mano ti nagasto iti pannakaipatakderna? Maipapan kadagitoy, kinuna ni Dr. Dedicacion-Reyes, balo daydi Apo Godo Reyes, namin-13 a nagpresidente iti gunglo dagiti mannurat,  iti pannakiuman ti blogger kenkuana, "Bulok ti gunglo, Peter." Apay nga imbagana ti kasdiay?)
    Mrs. Raquel, a writer in Iluko, has used the name of another person in an article to malign Dr. Aurelio Solver Agcaoili, a fellow Ilokano, of the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

SINNO DAGITI TEDDEK TI LITERATURA KEN KULTURA ILOKANA?

SIASINO dagiti naayat a timmultulong iti pannakaparang-ay ti Litsaluyot ken nangitantandudo iti kannawidan?
     One of the pillars led the writing group for 13 years as its president. He was a poet who could compose a poem on the spot, a Bukanegan in the mold of Pedro Bucaneg. He was a congressman, governor, a veteran of World War 2. The last time we saw him alive was in February 2009. We dropped by their house by the sea when we were going to Baguio for the Panagbenga Festival. He was then wheel-chaired bound after a series of heart attacks that further deteriorated his old body. But his mind was clear as he listened to our conversation with his wife. We were in the sala of their house. The unfinished writers house was just a stone throw away. His wife asked him who their visitor's was and the blogger's name he uttered loud and clear. The blogger was touched.

Padaanan iti UPDATE: 4th TUGADE Literary Awards for Iluko Literature

UPDATE: 4TH Tugade Literary Awards Program

THE Sinking Roman Catholic Church Bell Tower of Laoag

    1. The program in the morning--Palacio de Laoag as venue-- starts with a prayer, followed by an intermission to be rendered by DJ Gina V of 99.5 IFM.
    2. Mr. Franklin P. Macugay, president of TMIF, will deliver the opening remarks.
    3. Another intermission, a dance to be performed by students of the Banna National High School. 
    4. The first original Iluko literary iconoclast, Apo Juan S. P. Hidalgo, Jr. , will narrate "memories" of his own with respect to the Coromina writing boys.
    5. Ms. Milalyn R. Marcelo, Vice-president of TMIF Marcos, Ilocos Norte, will introduce the guest of honor and speaker, Marcos town executive Salvador Pillos.
         -- 5a. Remarks of Mayor Pillos
     6. A message from  Mr. T. Gabriel Tugade, Founding President of TMI America Global.
     7. Awarding of prizes and certificates to the winners of the Iluko literary contests led by Mr. Joel Manuel who bagged the top prizes in the short story and poetry categories.
      8.Remarks by the winners including those of the board of judges chaired by Mr. Roy Aragon followed by the oath of office of the officers of TMIF Marcos.  
    9. The  blogger will deliver the closing remarks followed by the singing of the traditional "Padapadakam" for the birthday celebrant, Mr. T. Gabriel Tugade.
   10. Pammadayaw kadagiti "Teddek ti Literatura ken Kultura Ilokana"
   A.  Lunch will be served.
    B. The TMIF Board meeting will take place after lunch.

Bito :Lagip iti mapukpukaw a paset ti kannawidan nga Ilokano.

    For guests and participants: A swimming pool at the Palacio de Laoag which is located at P. Paterno street in Barangay 27, Laoag City. Please send message to Linda Tugade at #09999957353 not later than Sept. 15 if you are attending the affair.