Ilokano is a language very distinct from Tagalog. Variously spelled as Ilocano, Ilukano, Ilucano, Iluko, Iloco or Iloko, it is the third most-spoken language in the Philippines.
The ancestors of the Ilocano people arrived in the Philippines by viray or bilog, meaning ‘boat’. The word Ilokano comes from i- (‘from’) and looc (‘bay’). The Ilocanos are ‘people of the bay.’ Today they refer to themselves as Samtoy, a contraction of the Ilokano phrase sao mi ditoy, “our language here”.
To get a sense of how different Ilocano and Tagalog are, compare the same phrase in English, Ilocano and Tagalog:
English: What’s your name?
Tagalog: Anong pangalan mo?
Ilocano: Ania ti naganmo?
English: Good morning.
Tagalog: Magandang umaga.
Ilocano: Naimbag a bigatmo.
English: I love you.
Tagalog: Mahal kita.
Ilocano: Ayayaten ka.
Biag ni Lam-ang (The Life of Lam-ang) is a famous epic of the Ilocano people.
Popular Ilocano songs in the Philippines are Pamulinawen (about a stone-hearted lady) and Manang Biday (an “older sister” named Biday).
Other traditional Ilocano songs are Naraniag a Bulan (Shiny Moon), Ti Ayat ti Maysa nga Ubing (The Love of Child), the serenade No Duaduaem Pay (If You Still Doubt), Bannatiran (a mythical bird), Ilokana a Nadayag (Popular Ilocana) and Duayya ni Ayat.
stir fry; roasted
bagtit
crazy
diskita
negatively distract
aglaladot, agpaoit, matukay
lattan, nalaing, agtongtong
mabayag (long time), mabayag (before long)
agbaliw, kudil, sumurot, ulbod, okininam, ukininam
Agsardengka is an Ilocano word that means “Shut up!”
Kasabihan (Saying)
Ti nakersang nga daculap, isut dalan ti pirac.
Rough hands are the pathway to money.
Ang dallot ng mga Ilokano ang pinakamatandang uri ng awit. Karaniwan itong ginagamit ng isang binata sa kanyang panliligaw, at tinutugon naman ng dalagang sinusuyo sa gayon ding paraan.
ILOKANO PROVERB
Uray awan ti maypasango ti bisita, no laket nalazvag ti rupa nga umawat caniada.
It is not what is served to the guests but the warm welcome that counts.
Hi. I want to find my father family in Philipines. My father is Ilocano. His name is Oligario Tusay. His family name is Tusay. If someone have similar family name or know someone that related to this name can you contact me. I now in Malaysia, my father come here in the year of 1970s, maybe late 70s. If you have information please contact me through email: [email protected] . Thank you.