Ilokano Folklore Art: Fabulous Traditions with Modern Interpretations

Ilokano folklore art refers to the artistic expressions and creative representations of the cultural stories, myths, legends, and traditions of the Iloko people, who are an ethnolinguistic group native to the northern Philippines, particularly the Ilocos Region.

This art encompasses various forms of artistic expression, including visual arts, literature, music, dance, and even crafts.

Visual Arts: Ilokano folklore is often depicted in visual arts, including paintings, sculptures, and textiles. Artists may create images of legendary figures such as Lam-ang (a hero in Ilokano folklore) or scenes from traditional stories and myths.

Literature: Ilokano folklore has been passed down through generations through oral tradition, and many of these stories have been documented in written form. Traditional epics, chants, and folk tales often serve as inspiration for Ilokano writers and poets.

Music and Dance: Ilokano folklore is also expressed through music and dance. Traditional songs and dances are often performed during festivals and cultural events. These performances may tell stories of bravery, love, and cultural values.

Crafts: Traditional Ilokano crafts, such as weaving and pottery, may also incorporate elements of folklore art. Patterns and designs in textiles and pottery might be inspired by mythical creatures or symbolic representations from Ilokano myths.

Mythical Creatures and Symbols: Ilokano folklore is rich with mythical creatures and symbols, which can be depicted in various art forms.

For example, the "tikbalang" (a half-human, half-horse creature) and the "kapre" (a tree-dwelling giant) are common figures in Ilokano stories and can serve as subjects for artistic interpretations.

Cultural Festivals: Many Ilokano cultural festivals incorporate elements of folklore art. Festivals like the Pamulinawen Festival in Laoag City celebrate Ilokano culture through various artistic performances, parades, and displays of traditional crafts.

Storytelling and Performance: Traditional storytelling and performance are essential aspects of Ilokano folklore art. Storytellers pass down myths, legends, and folk tales to younger generations, often accompanied by music, dance, and visual aids.

Contemporary Interpretations: In addition to traditional forms of Ilokano folklore art, contemporary artists may reinterpret these stories using modern artistic techniques and media, blending old and new styles to keep the folklore alive and relevant.

Art plays a crucial role in preserving the cultural heritage of the Ilokano people and connecting them to their ancestral stories and traditions. It continues to evolve as artists find innovative ways to express these stories while honoring their cultural roots.

Your City Needs Its Writers: 3 Steps to Improve the Writing Culture in Your City

There is a La Union Books and Arts Exhibit right now at the SM City La Union, and this got me thinking. Every city has its share of storytellers. Some write novels. Some write long social media captions that probably should have been novels. I personally think a city with no active writers feels a bit empty, like a place that only knows traffic and billboards but has no imagination. A writing culture is not optional. It is the difference between a town that thinks and a town that merely exists. If you want to encourage a writing culture where you live, start by following these 3 steps: Step 1: Make writers visible. Invite local authors to your library, schools, community centers, and yes even your neighborhood book clubs. In fact, book clubs are one of the easiest groups to involve, because they already read, already discuss stories, and usually already have snacks. A sponsored book club event featuring a hometown author can do more for visibility than a month of posters. And honestly,...

Better Library Shelfing by Colocation: Grouping Similar Items

As librarians, we've all faced the challenge of making the most of our shelf space. It's like a puzzle, figuring out where each book belongs so that people can find what they need without a treasure map. This is where colocation – or putting similar things together – comes into play. It's a simple idea, but it can make a huge difference in how we manage our shelves and help our library users find their way around. Let's talk about how this approach can make our libraries more user-friendly and efficient. Why Colocation Matters Imagine you're looking for a cookbook. You go to the section where cookbooks are supposed to be, but instead of finding them all in one spot, they're scattered all over. Some are with the gardening books, others are near the science fiction. Frustrating, right? That's the problem colocation solves. By keeping similar items together – all the cookbooks in one place, all the science fiction in another – we make life easier for everyone....

Weekly Facebook Reel Plan 008: Pretending to be Tourists for a Day

Creating a one-week reel plan around the theme "Pretending to be Tourists for a Day" sounds like a fun and engaging way to connect with your audience. Here's a table that outlines the plan: Day of the Week Concept Execution Monday Local Landmarks Visit local landmarks and take photos as if you're seeing them for the first time. Tuesday Food Tour Sample local cuisine from various eateries and discuss the flavors and textures. Wednesday Public Transport Adventure Ride the local public transport and show the experience, including buying tickets. Thursday Street Performers Find street performers and capture their acts, maybe even join in for a collaborative moment. Friday Souvenir Shopping Visit local souvenir shops and showcase unique items, discussing their cultural significance. Saturday Museum Hopping Go to a local museum and take photos of interesting exhibits, discussing their history. Sunday Scenic Spots Visit a local park or beach and capture the natural beauty, p...

What is Special About a Coming-of-age Novel?

A coming-of-age novel has distinct traits that set it apart from other genres, primarily through its focus on personal growth and self-discovery. Here’s what makes it unique: 1. Focus on Character Development - Core Theme: The central theme of a coming-of-age novel is personal transformation. The protagonist, usually a young person, matures through experiences, gaining insight into themselves and the world. - Compared to Other Genres: While many genres focus on external conflicts (e.g., fantasy battles or mystery puzzles), the coming-of-age novel centers on internal conflicts—struggles with identity, morality, and self-understanding. 2. Transition from Youth to Adulthood - Rite of Passage:...

I Mistakenly Thought Lisbeth Salander was a Coming-of-age Heroine

Lisbeth Salander from The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo can be seen as a heroine, but she’s not a traditional coming-of-age character. Instead, she embodies elements of personal evolution and self-discovery, though in a much darker and unconventional context. Here’s why she fits, and why she doesn’t, into the coming-of-age mold. Why She Fits: 1. Self-Discovery and Growth : Like a coming-of-age protagonist, Lisbeth grapples with understanding her own identity and place in the world. Her journey involves reclaiming control over her life and confronting the traumas of her past, similar to how coming-of-age stories often depict a young person learning about themselves. 2. Emotional Evolution : Lisbeth starts off as a loner, distrustful of nearly everyone, but over time, we see her form complex relationships, particularly with Mikael Blomkvist. Though not sentimental or soft, she gradu...

Simple Way to Ask Library Users to Rate the Library Service

Library users do not always share their thoughts on how the librarian or school can improve their library service. In fact, some won't ever, unless prompted. Soliciting their thoughts using a suggestion box is also not as good a strategy as it is predicted to be. After all, the blank piece of paper near the suggestion box doesn't really guide the user. I also noticed that users would only use the suggestion box if they have a complaint, but not if they just want to go about their business and leave. There must be a more pro-active way to solicit users' opinion. A simple solution would be to offer a short survey to measure how successfully users were able to complete some common activities in the library. This assessment uses the Likert scale, which is typically a five, seven, or nine-point agreement scale used to measure respondents' agreement with various statements. For example, the scale can range from "very unsuccessful" to "very successful."...

Weekly Facebook Reel Plan 007: Itinerary Planning for a Dream Destination

Planning a dream destination is an exciting theme that many people can relate to. Here's a one-week reel plan focusing on "Itinerary Planning for a Dream Destination": Day of the Week Concept Execution Monday Budgeting Discuss the estimated costs for the trip and show how to create a budget spreadsheet. Tuesday Flight and Accommodation Research and compare flight options, then demonstrate how to book the best deal. Wednesday Local Transportation Simulate using local transportation apps to plan how to get around the destination. Thursday Must-Visit Spots Show a map and mark the must-visit spots, explaining why each is a can't-miss. Friday Food and Dining Talk about local cuisine and draw up a list of restaurants and food stalls to visit. Saturday Activities and Experiences Take photos of different activities you'd like to do and create a visual day-by-day plan. Sunday Packing List Write down a packing list tailored to the destination and activities, then demonstr...

Flash Fiction: The Librarian's Halloween Hexes

Every Halloween, when dusk began to settle over Willowdale, Eleanor Marwick closed the public library with a smile that was as much mischief as it was politeness. By day, Eleanor was the quintessential librarian: quiet, precise, and draped in an earthy cardigan. But as October 31st arrived, she was, for one night, something else entirely. Tonight, as soon as the clock chimed seven, she shed her librarian guise and stepped into her true role: the witch of Willowdale. Her cardigan transformed into a flowing cloak, her sensible shoes became lace-up boots that clicked against the cobblestone paths. A grimoire appeared in her hands, pages filled with spells in looping ink, all waiting to be unleashed. The first stop was Mrs. Haversham’s house. Sweet, gray-haired Mrs. Haversham never missed a due date and handled every book with reverence. Eleanor whispered a soft incantation, and immediately Mrs. Haversham’s garden burst into a spectacle of flowers that would bloom all winter. Mrs. Haversha...

Short Story: Deliverance

Categories: FRIENDSHIP, DRAMA, CRIME It had been twenty-four years since she’d last seen it, but the place looked exactly the same. The boarded up windows gave the impression that the buildings lining the street were not habitable. Katie smiled and nodded at the curious eyes peeking out from the slats of wood as she passed them, knowing that her blonde hair, blue eyes, and fair complexion got the locals excited. This old motel strip in the seediest corner of Metro Manila, Philippines had been both a place to hide and recuperate, and the best venue for secrets. Why she went back was as much a mystery as it was a marvel. It was hard to imagine that after all the craziness that happened in the past, she would want to come back and look for… something. Perhaps it was closure that she was after.

Story Seeds Journal: Because Writing Inspiration Can Be Powerful But Fleeting

I have designed a Story Seeds Journal on Amazon, and you can see it via this link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJD1NCC1 What is this journal for? It can serve as a personal idea repository . It serves as a personal vault of story seeds, allowing writers to store and revisit ideas, which can be developed later into full projects. It increases story output . By encouraging the regular recording of new ideas, it can lead to a larger collection of potential stories to work from in the future. It builds writing confidence . Structured guidance helps writers see their ideas grow, building confidence in their ability to generate and develop stories.

Ruby Galvez, RL

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