ILOCANDIA RUMBLINGS

Tyrants can never be heroes as human rights violations can never be justified by any circumstances. Martial Law is a dark period in our history, remembered for the large-scale murder, torture, and incarceration of political dissenters. Forgetting the wrong and heinous deeds of men in history is tantamount to distortion of truth and absolving them of their crime against the people. A dictator’s internment in a national pantheon, where individuals, worthy of emulation are buried sets a deadly precedent. It may be within the realm of the law, as the majority of the Justices see it. But on its entirety, the court’s ruling disrespects and discounts the spirit of the 1986 People Power, the court rulings on the rights abuses and thievery, and lives lost in reclaiming the democratic space that we enjoy at present. Remember that the past holds lessons that are vital for a better future. For a nation to move on from the horrors of Martial Law, first there must be closure. This requires the p

As the year comes to a close, the people of Ilocos take pride that they braved and overcame the odds and challenges thrown by US-Benigno C. Aquino regime, and the fledgling presidency of Rodrigo Duterte. The period is characterized by three significant campaigns – the demand for Aquino’s accountability as his regime ends, the battle against traditional politics during the election, and the consolidation of people’s demands to challenge the new administration under Rodrigo Duterte. The militant mass movement and the people of Ilocos persisted in their struggles for genuine economic and social transformation amidst the intensified implementation of Oplan Bayanihan. They launched wide-spread education and information campaign on burning social issues. They trooped the streets, engaged the public, and questioned the authorities to spread their desire and platform for genuine democracy social justice, progressive culture and industrialization. Makabayan chapters and allies in the regio

Photo grab from GMA News Online (http://images.gmanews.tv/webpics/2016/08/640_ZZZ_082616_oslo_peace_talks_3_2016_08_26_10_48_31.jpg)  Historians and social scientists have always attributed Ilocano diaspora on their search for friendlier environment and better livelihood. The narrowness of the land and harsh climate of the region had always made living a challenge for the Ilocanos. Land-strapped, the feudal exploitation is much more intense compared to others. Constant visit from dry spells and strong typhoons make bountiful harvests difficult. Economic opportunities are hard to come by, political dynasties of landed and merchant clans replaced foreign dominance that pervaded during the Spanish and American period in all aspects of society. These factors shaped the Ilocano to be hardworking and resilient, tirelessly struggling for better living conditions – for a good life or nasayaat a panagbiag in Iloco. A study conducted by Joy Racquel R. Tadeo in 2012, then a student of M

Today, September 27, the world celebrates World Tourism Day. Tourist destinations across Ilocos prepared different treats and come-ons for local and international tourists. Vigan City in Ilocos Sur leads the celebration in the province, and probably in the whole region being one of the world’s New Seven Wonder Cities. The place boasts of well-preserved Spanish houses and mouth-watering foods like empanada, bagnet, longganisa, and sinanglaw . Calle Crisologo, where most of the famed Spanish houses are located is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Vigan, a small city with limited resources found its niche in the tourism world by banking on its rich cultural heritage. Policies and facilities reflect its inclination to keep this sector afloat and running to boost its economy. Looking at the industry in a wider-scale, tourism came early as a must commodity for industrialized countries. But it was only during the 80’s that the industry got a stable foothold in developing economies like the Phi

(The original article was published by Northern Dispatch in September 2015. Photo grab from http://planetphilippines.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/headline.jpg) My mother and father have not yet bumped  to each other when Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law, so I can never claim firsthand experience on the matter. I rarely tell my friends that I grew in family who are fervent Marcos loyalist (especially my mother’s side), usually eaves dropping with conversations regarding the benefits from the declaration – the order it brought, the supposed development, and many more. In high school, I even choose to be part of the group who favored the declaration of martial law during a classroom discussion on the issue. This is the only instance that I can remember where the topic was deliberated with a certain degree of importance. I learned the extent and depth of martial law’s meaning and result when I attended a forum organized by the student council in a university I once attended. The

(This is Ilocandia Rumblings’ maiden piece and before we enjoy reading, 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 from the point of view and standpoint of the oppressed and exploited. This blog aims to expand its reach and readers, and make the aspirations of the hardworking people west of the Cordillera; the rumblings in the peasant communities, workplaces, coastal areas and slums, reverberate in the web. 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 roars and whispers of people, and witness the transformation of society. It shall dissect Ilocos society and expound on It shall express the ideas and thoughts of the motive for