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.