The present Ilocanos are descendants of mixed race predominantly of the Austronesian (Malay) race. Chinese, Indian and Spanish bloods are significantly mixed.
The early Austronesian ancestors of the Ilocanos arrived in the Philippines through barangays (boats) and settled the coastal side of northwestern Luzon. When the Spanish conquered the Philippines, an exploration led by Juan de Salcedo led him to the coastal towns of now Vigan, Currimao and Laoag. He find the people living in coves and described them as more barbarous than the Tagalogs in Manila.
When he conquered this place he established a province called ILOCOS which originally comprises the now provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur and parts of Abra and La Union (shown on map).
During the Spanish colonial era especially in 1800s, migrations were initiated to other parts of Luzon due to some reasons aside from increasing population. Others who look for more fertile land went eastward to the wider plains of Cagayan Valley and down to Central Luzon. One of the more significant reason of the migration was that Ilocanos were chosen by the Spaniards to help them colonize the other parts of Luzon and evangelize the people.
Later migration was during the American period. When the Americans penetrated the Cordillera, Ilocanos were asked for help and were encouraged to settle just like the establishment of the city of Baguio. It was also during this era that migration in Hawaii and later in California was opened because of the needed Filipino labor in these American territories.
After the World War II, governement sponsored migration invited the Ilocanos to migrate in Mindanao especially in Cotabato, Davao, Sultan Kudarat and Zamboanga. Other migration led the Ilocanos in Mindoro, Babuyan Island and Palawan.
Today, the Ilocano diaspora has reached the whole face of the globe.
FAQs
The Ilocano people are one of the Austronesian peoples of Northern Luzon. The prevailing theory nowadays about the spread of the Austronesian peoples is the "Out of Taiwan" hypothesis, which proposes that the Neolithic-era migrations from Taiwan gave rise to the ancestors of present-day Austronesian populations.
Is Ilocano a rare language? ›
It is the third most-spoken native language in the country.
Is Ilocano a race? ›
The Ilocano people are one of many ethnic groups from the archipelagic country of the Philippines in Southeast Asia. Ilocano people originate from a northwestern strip of coastal land, called the Ilocos region, on the northernmost island in the Philippines, Luzon.
What does Bari Bari mean in Ilocano? ›
means a greepy or far place. Ilocanos say Dayu-dayu, bari-bari to sent out spirits that might harm them while. they are in their way going to the place they're not used. to go.
What is the myth of Ilocano? ›
Angalo is a legendary creation giant from Ilocano mythology with pre-Hispanic origins in the Ilocos region of the Philippines. Angalo was the first man, and son of the god of building. Angalo's head touched the sky and he could easily walk from the Ilocos Region to Manila in one step.
Who is the father of Ilocano? ›
Pedro Bucaneg (March 1592 – c. 1630) was a Filipino poet. He is considered the "Father of Ilocano literature." Blind since birth, he is the believed to have authored of parts of the Ilocano epic Biag ni Lam-ang (Life of Lam-ang).
Are Ilocanos Chinese? ›
There are many different ethnic groups within the Philippines, but two of the most populous groups are the Ilocanos and the Tagalogs. Both groups have significant Chinese admixture, but the Tagalogs are generally thought to have more Chinese blood.
Does Hawaii speak Ilocano? ›
In the diaspora, Ilokanos brought with them their language and hence, the huge number of Ilokano speakers in Guam, Alaska, California, Washington, Hawaii, Texas, New York, Nevada, and New Jersey, all in the United States.
Why is Ilocano so different from Tagalog? ›
Both languages belong to different language subfamilies; Ilokano belongs to the Northern Luzon branch of the Malayo-Polynesian languages (which in turn is a branch of the Austronesian languages) while Tagalog is part of the Greater Central Philippine languages.
What are Ilocanos mixed with? ›
The term “Ilocano” was derived from the words “i-” (from) and “looc” (cove or bay), which when combined means “people of the bay.” Ilocanos are descendants of mixed races (the Austronesian /Malay, Chinese, Indian and Spanish).
(Ilocanos are known to be hardworking and frugal, hardy in the face of adversity. Respect and humility in everyday dealings mark the Ilocano personality; they live simply, concentrating on work and productivity.
Is Baguio Ilocano? ›
Baguio can also be reached by air through Loakan Airport located south of the city. LANGUAGE: Ilocano is the predominant dialect in the city. The national language, Filipino, is of course spoken by almost everyone. English is widely spoken and understood.
What does Naimas mean in Ilocano? ›
Naimas! - Delicious! Mabisinakon - I'm hungry.
Is Ngarud in Ilocano? ›
“Ngarud” is actually a word from the ILOCANO dialect of the Philippines' northern provinces known as the ILOCOS REGION which is composed of ILOCOS SUR, ILOCOS NORTE, LA UNION, etcetera.
What does Apo mean in Ilokano? ›
Apo. which in Ilocano can mean great- grandmother or God—
What are some interesting facts about Ilocano? ›
Ilocanos became the first Filippino ethnic group to emigrate in large numbers to North America, settling in sizable communities in Hawai'i, California, the Pacific Northwest, and Alaska. It is taught in some schools in Hawai'i and California.
Why is Ilocano important? ›
Because of the importance of Ilocano in Northern Luzon, it has been called the "National Language of the North." Many ethnic groups from the northern regions of the country are more at home in their second language, Ilocano, than the national language of the country, Tagalog (Pilipino).
