BATANES AND QUIRINO LITERATURE

BATANES, the most northernmost province of the Philippines, is the home of Ivatans. Recent research works reveal a
wealth of Ivatan oral tradition from sisyavak (humorous anecdotes and tales) and kabbata (legends) to the kabbuni
(riddles) and pananahan (proverbs). Their most traditional literature is the lyric folk song called laji. It is sung without
accompaniment by a singer during important and happy occasions. The lyrics of laji is considered the best Ivatan folk
poetry. Working songs which are sung collectively are called kalusan. Ivatans sing them while working in the fields,
rowing, or cutting timber. A song leader called vachi starts the singing of prefatory lines and the chorus of workers
follows with the rest of the song.

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QUIRINO, Literature not only continues to be a witness to the life of people that are linguistically different
from the rest of the country but also of people that are the same as the rest. Because the Ilokanos also speak
of the The other story of the Ilokano people are best seen in their literature. It is best heard in songs, poems
and stories. Their other history is best drawn from their narratives - their sarsarita (root work of pakasaritaan).
Pakasaritaan and sarita, history and story, narrative and the unfolding of life - all these weld to reveal who the
people are and what kind of future they want to have. DAGITI DIOS KEN DIYOSAS (THE GODS AND
GODDESSES)