Rodel J. Ramos
The Ilocanos, sometimes called the solid north because of their united vote during elections are worth studying for their colorful history, character and survival techniques which we can copy not only during hard times but as a way of life in order to avoid the humps and turns of life. Generally, Ilocanos are known as hard working, loyal as workers frugal or prudent savers, responsible family men/women and visionaries.
Well known Ilocanos
Of all regions, the Ilocano Regions produced the most presidents - Elpidio Quirino of Ilocos Sur, the Late President Ramon Magsaysay of Zambales, Presidents Ferdinand Marcos of Batac, Ilocos Norte, Corazon Cojuangco Aquino of Concepcion, Tarlac, Fidel Ramos of Asingan, Pangasinan. Ramos’ root is Ilocos Norte.
Other Ilocanos who gained prominence in our history are: Rev. Gregorio Aglipay, founder of Philippine Independence Church, Rev. Santiago Funacier, heir of Aglipay, Nieva Ecija. Former U.N. president Carlos P. Romulo of Tarlac, Ex-Senator Raul Manglapus, of Tagudin, Ilocos Sur, Cipriano and Tito Primicias, Camilo Osias of Pangasinan, Juan Ponce Enrile of Cagayan, Genero Magsaysay, Teodoro Yangco a Philanthropist, Supreme Court Justice Alejo Labrador of Zambales, Quintin Paredes, Prospero Sanidad, Danding, and Peping Cojuangco of Tarlac.
In arts, we have Juan Luna who gained prominence in Europe for winning the most prestigious international arts award, Prix de Rome with his entry Spoliarium. This is the same award that Picazzo won at a later date. He became the rallying point of the Propaganda Movement that Filipinos are equal to Europeans in talents. Antonio Quirino, Leon Pechay and Maximo Ramos excelled in literature.
Ilocanos are also known for their bravery. Gen. Antonio Luna was the most brilliant General during the Filipino-Spanish and Filipino-American wars. Diego Silang led the rebellion in Ilocos against Spain. When he died, his wife, Gabriela Silang continued the fight. Gabriela became the symbol of the Feminist movement in the Philippines. Princess Urduja of Pangasinan was a well known warrior and leader. She is credited with a progressive province during her era.
Apolinario Mabini, the great paralitic brain of the revolution was from Cuyapo, Nieva Ecija, Gen. Artemio Ricarte of Ilocos Norte refused to pay allegiance to the United States, continued the fight after Gen. Aguinaldo was captured and was exiled. Ferdinand Marcos claimed to be the most decorated soldier during World War II but his records were questioned by Americans in his last years in office. Ramon Magsaysay headed the Zambales Guerrilla movement. The Igorots of the Mountain Province were never conquered by the Spaniards and kept the location of their gold mines secret from the invaders.
Former Sen. Ramon Magsaysay Jr., Former Executive Secretary and Congressman Ruben Torres, former Governor Orbos of Pangasinan, Senator Richard Gordon, Congressman Jose de Venecia are rising stars of the North and perhaps one of them will be president in the future.
Ilocano nearly became our National Language during a deliberation, losing only by one vote to Tagalog.
Adventurers
Ilocanos are sea fearers and adventurers. Almost all the barrios along the seashore of Zambales and Pangasinan are inhabited by Ilocanos. They were the first Filipino migrants in Hawaii. They came as pineapple pickers and sugarcane workers. Today, there is even an Ilocano radio station there.
When Pres. Ramon Magsaysay issued the Land for the Landless decree offering homestead in Mindanao, thousands of Ilocanos took the opportunity and settled there. If only the Philippine Government allowed Filipinos to work in Sabah when the British colony was recruiting workers, perhaps the Ilocanos would have settled there too. This part of Borneo which is as large as Mindanao was a gift to the sultan of Sulo for coming to the rescue to a Borneo King during a fierce battle against invaders. Unfortunately, when a referendum was called among the inhabitants, they choose to be with Malaysia.
Great savers
Early in life, Ilocanos are taught to work hard and save for the rainy days. They are noted for being frugal, spending money wisely. Some call them kuripot (stingy) but they are not.
Life in the North is hard. There is an average of 30 typhoons battering Northern Luzon every year. And there are times when there is no catch for the fishermen because of these unfavorable weather conditions. Farmers plant rice once a year during rainy season or twice if there is an irrigation system in their area. After which they wait for four to five months before harvest. If they are hit by a heavy typhoon, they suffer the losses for that year.
Even if most people are self sufficient (they grow their own vegetables, fruits, poultry and some have fishponds), money is hard to make in these provinces. And so they were taught to remember the hard times and save in their piggy bank or bamboo tube for the rainy days. Some cut a hole in the bamboo post of their houses and start their savings there. Others bury their wealth, afraid of the banking system.
Western lifestyle
Because most of us believed that North America is a heaven where manna flows continuously, protected by welfare, health care, free education up to high school, pension plans and many other safety nets, some of us have forgotten the wisdom of our elders who warned us that there will always be times of hardship, rainy days or winters in one’s life, and some days you get sick and surely will grow old and weak. The cutbacks, downsizing, and layoffs of Government and private companies, globalization and high tech are shaking all these basic protection, and many are finding themselves without anything to fall back to.
The temptation to buy is everywhere. We are bombarded by promotions every minute. There is the easy access to credit cards where you can buy without money. Then also, we want to show off to our friends and relatives here and back home that we have made it. We buy and spend more than what we can afford, sometimes buying things we don’t really need and just dump it in our storage rooms. In many Filipino homes you will see an expensive glass dining cabinet full of classy chinaware on display, used only when we have rich visitors, basically displayed to impress. Expensive Philcraft cookware and Table Charm items worth thousands of dollars are found in the kitchen and dining rooms of even new arrivals and contract workers, so are expensive jewelry and designer clothes.
Others follow the Joneses. Whatever his friend or neighbor has, he or she also has to have. If his friends have luxury cars and houses, they have to have the same or better. Out of peer pressure, many of us succumb to these temptations. Sikat ka, kilala kang mayaman, maiinggit sa iyo ang mga tao. Walang makakaalam na baon ka sa utang. (Nobody knows that you are buried in debt). These are some of the things people want to hear specially those low in self-steem.
Most Ilocanos were taught that it is better to have a lot of money in the bank than to show off with expensive cars, jewelry, furniture, or a luxury house. They tend to save as much to pay off the mortgage before they engage in any luxury items or expensive vacation. This way, nobody would be jealous nor would even think of borrowing money from them nor will be offended when they deny help. Of course they are sometimes subjected to redicule and are laugh at, but the last laugh is theirs. And they never experience hardship in life. Many times they can take advantage of bargain offers and make more money.
Of course there are some stories of going overboard to being stingy like a friend of an office mate in Montreal many years ago. These Ilocanos bought a house but stayed in the basement and rented the main house. Because during those times, internal organs and heads of pigs were given away, they subsisted on these and refrained from buying unnecessary things. My friend was laughing at their lifestyle but one day he was surprised that they already paid up the first home, bought another one but still live in the basement while my friend was still renting an apartment.
Another Ilocano friend refrained from attending parties in the community. Everybody called him snob and killjoy but he did not mind. He and his wife just worked and took care of their young kids. Today, they go out and accompany their kids every weekend. Their house is paid up and they have lots of investments in stocks and bonds.
And there is that Ilocano filling up his rusty, dilapidated car in a gas station. Another Filipino with a sports car approached him and boastfully said, “Pare, palitan mo na iyang kutse mo, nakakahiya, paka matitano ka pa diyan.” To which he retorted, “Pare, bayad iyan.” knowing that the sports car was just purchased on credit.
Suggestions
Live as simple as possible. In housing, we can save more if we live together with other members of the family and share expenses. Some of us can‘t live together because we try to control or dominate the lives of other members of our family and friends imposing our values and morals. Some are over sensitive. Give privacy to others. They have their own lives.
Some of us buy and eat too much food which is bad for our health. Some becomes gluttons and voracious eaters. There are parties almost every week - birthdays, weddings, picnics, anniversaries, etc. And then we suffer so many deseases - high blood pressure, heart attack, cancer, etc. Then we go on expensive fitness programs to shed off the fat. We can save more by eating moderately and avoiding too much meat.
Still others buy so many things which they don’t really need and end up with so much junks, they have to get more and more space. They end up buying large houses they don’t really need just to pile up these junks. And they spend more money on maintenance, electricity, heating, air-conditioning and taxes, wasting money to satisfy their ego and built a good image.
Read helpful books
It is worthwhile reading books that advise you how to handle your finances. One is The Richest Man in Babylon. The book tells of a young man who met the richest man in the wealthiest city of the ancient world and asked him to impart his secret to wealth. The rich man advised him that “Wealth is like a tree. The first dollar that you save is the seed. The earlier you plant the seed, and nurture it with more savings, the earlier you will retire in its shade.”
The book suggests that we “Save at least 10% of our income.” No matter how small our paycheque, we must live within our means. The more you save, the faster you will retire. It said that a compounded interest on your savings alone will make you a millionaire in your life time.
“Do not spend the interest from your savings.” Let it accumulate and multiply. Invest it in safe and fast earning interest or profit. Let it be your slave, not you slaving it out all your life. And do not eat the children of your slave.
Then also, “Do not intrust your savings or investment with people who have no previous experience in what they are doing.” A carpenter can’t be a jeweler without studying the kinds of stones, the real and the fakes, and the secrets of the trade. The chances of him making mistakes are greater.
“In your old age, do not forget sharing your money with the poor and intrusting your wealth to those who helped you accumulate them. Do not just throw them to the swine.”
It seems that this book endorses the Ilocano way of saving and lifestyle.
The Ilocanos, sometimes called the solid north because of their united vote during elections are worth studying for their colorful history, character and survival techniques which we can copy not only during hard times but as a way of life in order to avoid the humps and turns of life. Generally, Ilocanos are known as hard working, loyal as workers frugal or prudent savers, responsible family men/women and visionaries.
Well known Ilocanos
Of all regions, the Ilocano Regions produced the most presidents - Elpidio Quirino of Ilocos Sur, the Late President Ramon Magsaysay of Zambales, Presidents Ferdinand Marcos of Batac, Ilocos Norte, Corazon Cojuangco Aquino of Concepcion, Tarlac, Fidel Ramos of Asingan, Pangasinan. Ramos’ root is Ilocos Norte.
Other Ilocanos who gained prominence in our history are: Rev. Gregorio Aglipay, founder of Philippine Independence Church, Rev. Santiago Funacier, heir of Aglipay, Nieva Ecija. Former U.N. president Carlos P. Romulo of Tarlac, Ex-Senator Raul Manglapus, of Tagudin, Ilocos Sur, Cipriano and Tito Primicias, Camilo Osias of Pangasinan, Juan Ponce Enrile of Cagayan, Genero Magsaysay, Teodoro Yangco a Philanthropist, Supreme Court Justice Alejo Labrador of Zambales, Quintin Paredes, Prospero Sanidad, Danding, and Peping Cojuangco of Tarlac.
In arts, we have Juan Luna who gained prominence in Europe for winning the most prestigious international arts award, Prix de Rome with his entry Spoliarium. This is the same award that Picazzo won at a later date. He became the rallying point of the Propaganda Movement that Filipinos are equal to Europeans in talents. Antonio Quirino, Leon Pechay and Maximo Ramos excelled in literature.
Ilocanos are also known for their bravery. Gen. Antonio Luna was the most brilliant General during the Filipino-Spanish and Filipino-American wars. Diego Silang led the rebellion in Ilocos against Spain. When he died, his wife, Gabriela Silang continued the fight. Gabriela became the symbol of the Feminist movement in the Philippines. Princess Urduja of Pangasinan was a well known warrior and leader. She is credited with a progressive province during her era.
Apolinario Mabini, the great paralitic brain of the revolution was from Cuyapo, Nieva Ecija, Gen. Artemio Ricarte of Ilocos Norte refused to pay allegiance to the United States, continued the fight after Gen. Aguinaldo was captured and was exiled. Ferdinand Marcos claimed to be the most decorated soldier during World War II but his records were questioned by Americans in his last years in office. Ramon Magsaysay headed the Zambales Guerrilla movement. The Igorots of the Mountain Province were never conquered by the Spaniards and kept the location of their gold mines secret from the invaders.
Former Sen. Ramon Magsaysay Jr., Former Executive Secretary and Congressman Ruben Torres, former Governor Orbos of Pangasinan, Senator Richard Gordon, Congressman Jose de Venecia are rising stars of the North and perhaps one of them will be president in the future.
Ilocano nearly became our National Language during a deliberation, losing only by one vote to Tagalog.
Adventurers
Ilocanos are sea fearers and adventurers. Almost all the barrios along the seashore of Zambales and Pangasinan are inhabited by Ilocanos. They were the first Filipino migrants in Hawaii. They came as pineapple pickers and sugarcane workers. Today, there is even an Ilocano radio station there.
When Pres. Ramon Magsaysay issued the Land for the Landless decree offering homestead in Mindanao, thousands of Ilocanos took the opportunity and settled there. If only the Philippine Government allowed Filipinos to work in Sabah when the British colony was recruiting workers, perhaps the Ilocanos would have settled there too. This part of Borneo which is as large as Mindanao was a gift to the sultan of Sulo for coming to the rescue to a Borneo King during a fierce battle against invaders. Unfortunately, when a referendum was called among the inhabitants, they choose to be with Malaysia.
Great savers
Early in life, Ilocanos are taught to work hard and save for the rainy days. They are noted for being frugal, spending money wisely. Some call them kuripot (stingy) but they are not.
Life in the North is hard. There is an average of 30 typhoons battering Northern Luzon every year. And there are times when there is no catch for the fishermen because of these unfavorable weather conditions. Farmers plant rice once a year during rainy season or twice if there is an irrigation system in their area. After which they wait for four to five months before harvest. If they are hit by a heavy typhoon, they suffer the losses for that year.
Even if most people are self sufficient (they grow their own vegetables, fruits, poultry and some have fishponds), money is hard to make in these provinces. And so they were taught to remember the hard times and save in their piggy bank or bamboo tube for the rainy days. Some cut a hole in the bamboo post of their houses and start their savings there. Others bury their wealth, afraid of the banking system.
Western lifestyle
Because most of us believed that North America is a heaven where manna flows continuously, protected by welfare, health care, free education up to high school, pension plans and many other safety nets, some of us have forgotten the wisdom of our elders who warned us that there will always be times of hardship, rainy days or winters in one’s life, and some days you get sick and surely will grow old and weak. The cutbacks, downsizing, and layoffs of Government and private companies, globalization and high tech are shaking all these basic protection, and many are finding themselves without anything to fall back to.
The temptation to buy is everywhere. We are bombarded by promotions every minute. There is the easy access to credit cards where you can buy without money. Then also, we want to show off to our friends and relatives here and back home that we have made it. We buy and spend more than what we can afford, sometimes buying things we don’t really need and just dump it in our storage rooms. In many Filipino homes you will see an expensive glass dining cabinet full of classy chinaware on display, used only when we have rich visitors, basically displayed to impress. Expensive Philcraft cookware and Table Charm items worth thousands of dollars are found in the kitchen and dining rooms of even new arrivals and contract workers, so are expensive jewelry and designer clothes.
Others follow the Joneses. Whatever his friend or neighbor has, he or she also has to have. If his friends have luxury cars and houses, they have to have the same or better. Out of peer pressure, many of us succumb to these temptations. Sikat ka, kilala kang mayaman, maiinggit sa iyo ang mga tao. Walang makakaalam na baon ka sa utang. (Nobody knows that you are buried in debt). These are some of the things people want to hear specially those low in self-steem.
Most Ilocanos were taught that it is better to have a lot of money in the bank than to show off with expensive cars, jewelry, furniture, or a luxury house. They tend to save as much to pay off the mortgage before they engage in any luxury items or expensive vacation. This way, nobody would be jealous nor would even think of borrowing money from them nor will be offended when they deny help. Of course they are sometimes subjected to redicule and are laugh at, but the last laugh is theirs. And they never experience hardship in life. Many times they can take advantage of bargain offers and make more money.
Of course there are some stories of going overboard to being stingy like a friend of an office mate in Montreal many years ago. These Ilocanos bought a house but stayed in the basement and rented the main house. Because during those times, internal organs and heads of pigs were given away, they subsisted on these and refrained from buying unnecessary things. My friend was laughing at their lifestyle but one day he was surprised that they already paid up the first home, bought another one but still live in the basement while my friend was still renting an apartment.
Another Ilocano friend refrained from attending parties in the community. Everybody called him snob and killjoy but he did not mind. He and his wife just worked and took care of their young kids. Today, they go out and accompany their kids every weekend. Their house is paid up and they have lots of investments in stocks and bonds.
And there is that Ilocano filling up his rusty, dilapidated car in a gas station. Another Filipino with a sports car approached him and boastfully said, “Pare, palitan mo na iyang kutse mo, nakakahiya, paka matitano ka pa diyan.” To which he retorted, “Pare, bayad iyan.” knowing that the sports car was just purchased on credit.
Suggestions
Live as simple as possible. In housing, we can save more if we live together with other members of the family and share expenses. Some of us can‘t live together because we try to control or dominate the lives of other members of our family and friends imposing our values and morals. Some are over sensitive. Give privacy to others. They have their own lives.
Some of us buy and eat too much food which is bad for our health. Some becomes gluttons and voracious eaters. There are parties almost every week - birthdays, weddings, picnics, anniversaries, etc. And then we suffer so many deseases - high blood pressure, heart attack, cancer, etc. Then we go on expensive fitness programs to shed off the fat. We can save more by eating moderately and avoiding too much meat.
Still others buy so many things which they don’t really need and end up with so much junks, they have to get more and more space. They end up buying large houses they don’t really need just to pile up these junks. And they spend more money on maintenance, electricity, heating, air-conditioning and taxes, wasting money to satisfy their ego and built a good image.
Read helpful books
It is worthwhile reading books that advise you how to handle your finances. One is The Richest Man in Babylon. The book tells of a young man who met the richest man in the wealthiest city of the ancient world and asked him to impart his secret to wealth. The rich man advised him that “Wealth is like a tree. The first dollar that you save is the seed. The earlier you plant the seed, and nurture it with more savings, the earlier you will retire in its shade.”
The book suggests that we “Save at least 10% of our income.” No matter how small our paycheque, we must live within our means. The more you save, the faster you will retire. It said that a compounded interest on your savings alone will make you a millionaire in your life time.
“Do not spend the interest from your savings.” Let it accumulate and multiply. Invest it in safe and fast earning interest or profit. Let it be your slave, not you slaving it out all your life. And do not eat the children of your slave.
Then also, “Do not intrust your savings or investment with people who have no previous experience in what they are doing.” A carpenter can’t be a jeweler without studying the kinds of stones, the real and the fakes, and the secrets of the trade. The chances of him making mistakes are greater.
“In your old age, do not forget sharing your money with the poor and intrusting your wealth to those who helped you accumulate them. Do not just throw them to the swine.”
It seems that this book endorses the Ilocano way of saving and lifestyle.
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