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A touch of abel Iluko in my home
The table napkin was made through the process of abel, an Ilocano tradition of weaving. Inabel or abel Iluko is the woven fabric, which is what the Ilocos region is also known for. Colorful inabel...
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The Carnival, Year After Year
The annual 2-week Pamulinawen Festival carnival in Laoag is the only thing that hasn’t changed over the years. It is still the same old vision on the same dusty spot close to the Padsan River… the same...
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Faces and Colors of the Ragrag-o Festival Dance Parade of Ilocos Norte 2010
The on-going 192nd foundation anniversary of the province of Ilocos Norte in the Philippines is celebrated with the Ragrag-o Festival. On February 4, 2010, a dance parade took center stage where all...
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The 14th Pamulinawen Festival Grand Parade
Every 10th day of February, Laoag celebrates the feast of its patron saint, St. William, The Hermit. I was supposed to cover the highlights of this year’s Pamulinawen Festival for my blog, but because...
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I eat with a spoon and fork at the same time…
Luc Cagadoc, the Filipino-Canadian boy, who got reprimanded by school teachers in Canada, in 2006, can now eat again with his spoon and fork, just like most Filipinos, without fearing about what people...
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The Wines of Ilocos Norte
Ilocos Norte is fast gaining ground in winemaking. Besides the traditional basi (a liquor made of fermented sugarcane), Duhat and Bugnay wines are now being sold commercially. Tapuey can be found in...
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Ilocos terracotta town: A gamut of San Nicolas damili wares
Laoag Central School graffiti art I wanted a “banga”, or earthen pot, for an authentic Ilocano “pinakbet”, and so I headed down south to the town of San Nicolas, where “damili”, or pottery, is an old...
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Inabel, Heart and Soul of an Ilocana Weaver
Handed down from generation to generation, the art of inabel weaving is a golden thread entwined in the Ilocano culture. Manually woven through a wooden loom, an abel fabric is made up of pure...
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On Spotlight: Batac Empanada by Lanie’s
If I were asked to choose what my Last Supper would be, it’s got to be Batac Empanada by Lanie’s Empanada at the Batac Riverside Empanadan. She wouldn’t tell me her secret, but I’m certain, there is...
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Saniata Parol
Dropped by the REFMAD Farms in Burgos a couple of days ago. I just loved the parol hanging on the cafe’s ceiling. Parol is traditionally a lantern made with papel de Hapon (Japanese paper) and...
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The Gaieties of the Pamulinawen Festival 2012 Dance Parade
Gay pride lent fabulousity and mirth to the annual Pamulinawen Festival 2012 Dance Parade. It seemed the whole Ilocos Norte stormed Laoag to root for their municipalities as 10 contingents entertained...
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Adams, a home away from home
The sun was down when we arrived in Adams. It was quite odd finding these mini betting stations beside the little Catholic chapel during Lent… a little too early for the Adams fiesta. Brandon and...
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Abel Iloco + Jeffrey Campbell
The jusi and inabel baro’t saya I wore to a Filipiniana-themed function are Manang Carning’s. We don’t have the same height, but who would have guessed they were borrowed. If I weren’t pressed for...
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Sadiay Dayo ti Batac
The cultural aspect of a place one visits is as fascinating as the sights and food. I really don’t get it when the pa-sosyals look for what else but puro kasosyalan. In my eyes, nothing compares to...
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Gamecocks
Captured a glimpse of pallot (sabong or cockfight), the world’s oldest spectator sport that has penetrated the Filipino culture since before the arrival of Magellan on Philippine shores. A sport so...
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The Mojo of Ilocano Cooking
Ever wondered what makes Ilocano food so distinct? Primarily paksiw (sinanglao), dinakdakan, imbaliktad, and dinardaraan (dinuguaan)? It’s the infusion of supreme Ilocos organic vinegar. It’s also the...
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Di Pay Pinagdapil
Pasencia, awan pay basi ken suka diay Bacsil! Photographed by Blauearth © Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2014
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Preserving the Fading Threads of the Abra Abel
Abra, a former Ilocos town, now among the provinces of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), has a rich texture of social, political and cultural history. Abreños are largely Tingguians and...
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OOTD: Filipiniana with a twist
The dress code at the 5th National Tour Guides Convention farewell dinner in Cagayan de Oro read regional dress. A professional tour guide spells more fun in the Philippines, so I opted to wear inabel...
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Wealth in Death
Children of strict Chinese parents in the Philippines still would want to give a parent a Chinese customary funeral. Send-off ceremonies and rituals such as burning joss paper and material symbols...
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