ON COMPLAINING

COMPLAIN as little as possible of the wrongs done you; for, commonly speaking, he that complains, sins, because self-loving magnifies the injuries done us, and makes us believe them greater than they really are. --St. Francis de Sales

5TH INTERNATIONAL ILUKO LITERARY CONFERENCE

     The 5th TMIF International Iluko Literary Conference held May 24-26, 2031 at the Mariano Marcos State University, Laoag campus, was a roaring success, to say the least. The program honoring the winners of the Severino and Eufemia Lacar Commemorative Award in Iluko Poetry was a great night for Ilokano culture--songs and dances including the participation of Nueva Era's indigenous people.
     Patron of Ilokano writing Francisco Lacar and his wife Rosalinda were there at the Center of Teacher Excellence, MMSU, where the event was held. Francisco said the poetry contest will go on for many years.

     Officers of Data Center College Timpuyog dagiti Mannurat iti Iluko iti Filipinas chapter were inducted into office. A great number of students and teachers became card-carrying members of TMIF.

     Dios-ti-agngina, Dr. Alegria Tan-Visaya ken Dr. Edna C. Nagtalon, director-general ken co-director general iti pasken, iti anusyo iti panagballigi ti conference.

 

RAY-AB

Agarigengen dagiti samut-samut iti alipaga
     dagiti balikas, balikas, balikas.
Agar-arimasa iti apas dagiti kunada a biktima
     dagiti nagmanibora iti gunggona.
Uray dagiti mongha agalumiimda a rummuar
     iti imeng ti puraw a sudida.
Dagiti agid-idolo kasda la bagtit a bakes
     nga aglagtolagto iti ragsakda.
Sapsaplitenda ti bagbagida iti ray-ab
     a dayaw dagiti bangolanda.
     (Ay, ti gameng inkalida kano
      iti pamuon ti patta
        idiay Santa Maria.)

Siaasut ti kampilan iti rinnupak
     dagiti nagabungot.
Adda kadi pannakasubbot iti rikkiar
     kadagiti binnatog ti pungtot?
Umno koma nga agsisinnagutayo
     ta saan aya a ti berdugo
Isu met laeng ti dasig dagiti anniniwantayo?

     

Saan kadi koma nga agipeksa
kadagiti balikas, balikas, balikas
a nagsusuon iti bendision ti sirmata
  ken panagkaykaysa?

Ket iti rangrangkay dagiti darikmat
     sinnoda a natnag iti allilaw
     ken am-amangaw?

Ania dagiti kari ti panagulimek
     wenno subbot ti adu a panaganus?

Itag-ay dagiti kusapo a wagayway
Uloden dagiti tirtiris ken ublag.
Putden ti saringgayad dagiti umsi
     idinto nga itanem dagiti kumpay
     ken tikap nga isem.

RE LACAR ILUKO POETRY CONTEST AND MURUKAMI'S MOST FRIGHTENING THING IN THE WORLD

     Dig this if you have read "The Mirror" written by the best-selling Japanese author Haruki Murakami. *
    

Mr. Severino V. Pablo has appointed himself as the administrator of the Severino and Eufemia Lacar Commemorative Award in Iluko Poetry Writing. This is contrary to the rules specified by the sponsor, the Lacars of Bacarra, Ilocos Norte, through siblings Francisco and Juanita, now Australian residents. Under the  rules and in the section, Selection Committee, the administration of the award or selection of the entries is the responsibility of the TMI Journal senior staffers (Editorial Board) and those with expertise in Ilokano poetry writing. This includes the selection of the board of judges.
     As adviser of the Timpuyog dagiti Mannurat iti Iluko iti Filipinas, which also oversees and promotes the project, the blogger recommended the following to sit as judges of the contest: Dr. Aurelio S. Agcaolili of the University of Hawaii; Dr. Alegria Tan-Visaya of the Mariano Marcos State University; and Dr. Vicente Bonoan, a former university dean, now with Data Center Laoag.
    Without consulting with the TMI Journal senior staffers, Mr. Pablo appointed Mrs. Elizabeth Madarang Raquel and Dr. Gregorio Amano as members of the board of judges. Lady Fele Mann and the rest of TMIF senior members objected to the inclusion of Mrs. Raquel because of her unresolved problems with Dr. Agcaolili and Mr. Peter La. Julian. In the case of Dr. Amano, an essayist and short story writer, he did not qualify as judge because he does not write poetry and had no "expertise in Ilokano poetry writing."
     In the evening of May 12, the the blogger who was in Laoag for a nephew's burial, went to see Mr. Pablo and told him the impropriety of the appointment Mrs. Raquel  and Dr. Amano as judges in the literary contest. Instead of explaining his unilateral decision, Mr. Pablo got angry and shouted expletives  against the blogger.  He was raving mad and her son and daughter had to restrain him from committing an act which, to the blogger, was mindless violence. We were surprised at the hellish behavior of a "bangolan".  But we stayed calm all throughout the encounter and did not go down to the level of Mr. Pablo.   
    So what's the connection of Mr. Pablo's emotion with "The Mirror"? Did the reader see himself or herself in the supposed responsible and reasonable writer?
     Should we say, to hell with Mr. Pablo? He was already in hell.
     

*One of 24 stories in "Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman", a Murukami book anthology, that the blogger bought at Vivo City Mall in Singapore in September 2007.


      

MAY RAINS

Part of the Ilocos Norte capitol grounds in Laoag City, Northern Philippines

San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte rotunda, featuring clay pots produced by the town

The rains were heavy after lunch time yesterday. When the blogger was younger, the rains usually came in the last days of May. The rains did not stop the mahjong players from playing the game, where the blogger lost more than P300 earlier. We were in the house across the street and the guys were talking about the bribe money they received from local politicians' supporters, from P50 to P300. The guy who owns the house is a bagman who gives P50 each to voters who come to the house. The money was given on behalf of a politician who was running for re-election for the Laoag City legislative body. The elections will be held on Monday.

BROWNOUT

A few minutes after the lights went out at 11:45PM. It could last into the early morning. Hey, the lights are back. It's 11:49PM.

The wind has fallen.It has been a hot day--the temperature the killed Palma two weeks ago.

THE ILOKANO: WHAT DEFINES THESE SO-CALLED JEWS OF THE PHILIPPINES?

     The Ilokanos who are erroneously labeled as "kuripot" (stingy) by others, although in reality are known as "nagaget, (hard-workers or industrious), loyal workers, "nasalimetmet" (frugal or prudent savers), responsible family men and "visionaries" are spread all over the world....
    -----
     An Ilokana worked as a babysitter in Hongkong. Instead of teaching English to the child, she taught the child how to speak in Ilokano. Sometimes, she teaches bad words. For example, she would say, "If you want to say Hello, Mama, say Ok...nam, Mama!" When she migrated to Canada, she did the same thing to her ward!

WAY OF LIFE/BEHAVIOR

 The Ilokano identify is also manifested in this way of life or behavior. His belief and superstitions follow him wherever he goes.
     The spouse of the former Vice-President of St. Mary's University ane even my own sister would say: Dayo, Dayo (go away, go away) whenever she pours hot or cold water outside their house in US in order to drive away the ansisit (dwarfs) ane even spirit-dwellers away.
     She says bari-bari (no English equivalent) whenever she enters another house or place for the first time. This is to ensure that the spirits of the place will not do any harm.
     And whenever she leaves the place, she would call her name, "Umaykan, Clarita, dika agbatbati!" (Come, Clarita, don't stay!)  That way her spirit shall always follow her physical body.--Part of a long aticle written by Prof. Cristina A. Gervacio-Gallato in the Marso 31, 2013 issue of Timpuyog Journal     

TOWN'S VOTE-BUYING CENTER?

Observers say that vote-buying in this town began two days ago, identifying the vote-buying center as the house of the town executive. The bag woman has withdrawn money for the boss of his husband. How much did she pay for the vote of one person? Maybe, an initial amount of P500? 

ISABELA BUSINESSMAN'S BODY FOUND

     The body of Isabela businessman Angelo Petines, 40, was found in the late afternoon of Thursday near the place where he was said to have been crossing the river to San Juan, Potia where he and his companions would be hunting for wild ducks. The place was in sitio Bangar, San Quintin in Potia. The body was caught among reeds and other debris. His back pack was still attached to his body but his air gun was no longer found.

The Magat High Dam, where some rivers, including the one that drowned Angelo Petines, pass through the water used as irrigation to ricefields and process as electricity for the Luzon Grid.

A radio report said that rescuers led by the police had to request SN Aboitiz Power Magat to drain the water or close its gates. The body was slumped against the bank of the river when found.  Our condolences to Leni Petines, mother of Angelo; his sisters Katrina and Sandie and his brother Paulo,

who recently arrived from Saudi Arabia. 
     Former San Mateo Mayor Roberto Agcaoili, now running for Vice-Mayor, also participated in the search for Angelo's body.  

"WHAT ARE WE IN POWER FOR?"

     The quotation was uttered by late Senator Jose Avelino (Liberal Party) in a Malacanang Palace meeting  during the time of the Ilokano President of the Philipines Elpidio Quirino. He was with other lawmakers and other government officials discussing what should be done in certain circumstances. It was a matter of values that should guide them. What? Can we eat values, principles? What are we in power for? His quote was recorded by a media person who inserted himself in the meeting as an administration functionary

     An Isabela mayor and his cohorts in the local government, they who have amassed wealth beyond their expectations, are similarly situated. Oh, never mind what people say! Let them die of apal. And so they built their big houses out of the taxes of the people, using the municipal trucks and other perks to construct their houses. Recently, the mayor got the lion's share of bags of cement donated by a power plant. He allegedly used the cement to improve his expensive house in the village of Aguinaldo, according to political opponents.

ISABELA BUSINESSMAN DROWNS IN RIVER

A massive search and rescue operation has been launched for Isabela businessman Angelo Petines,40, who drowned yesterday afternoon while crossing a river in Sam Juan, Potia, Ifugao. Angelo, son of Linda Petines, president of San Mateo Rural Bank in San Mateo, Isabela was hunting for papa (wild ducks) along with two other companions when the accident happened. Susan Gagarin. SMRB employee, quoting a certain Freddie, one of the businessman's companion,  told the blogger that Angelo was carrying a back pack, an air gun and was in long maong pants when he disappeared in the water-lily clogged river.
Rains were heavy during the past two days in these parts and several gates of the nearby Magat Dam were opened at that time and the river was swollen it was difficult to cross it.