Fernandez, Sunshine

Reaction Paper on Maiyannatup a Panagripirip:

Towards an Ilokano Paradigm of Doing Philosophy

The objective of the talk is to present that there is an Ilokano Philosophy.

According to Dr. Alterado, this Ilokano Philosophy comprises the culture or
kannawidan of the Ilokanos—“entire spectrum of human activities” and their
“mode of existence” that is not just dominated by Western ideologies—and its
performative side such as narrativity, dramatization, acting out, and storytelling.
Furthermore, he noted that the Ilokano concept of Nakem, which closely linked
to meta-theoretical analysis of ontology, epistemology and ethics, is the most
appropriate and prudent method of doing Ilokano Philosophy.
Language, as asserted by Dr. Alterado, can be finite but its possibilities are
infinite; thus, Ilokano, as a language, can deploy Ilokano Philosophy. While it is
true that philosophy has no equivalent in Ilokano language, he insisted that we
should invent terms that encapsulate their social, political, cultural lives, must pick
words, cast and recast them in a new light as per new experience, must invent
own approximates, and must borrow words, own up but enrich them. Another
challenge that Ilokano Philosophy is facing: annotating western or eurocentric
thinkers and consuming western constructs. However, Dr. Alterado argued that
we must to write about ourselves, to inculcate in the minds of the people, and
even to intellectualize it, and we must be “producers of new knowledge”.
Therefore, it is a task to claim rights to indigeneity and to continue to instill the
depth of Ilokano consciousness and Amianan lifeworld.
As an Ilokano, this is actually my first time to encounter this topic—Ilokano
Philosophy. I have never recognized that this philosophy encompasses our culture
or kannawidan, its performative side, and the all-inclusive nakem. Thus, it is
somehow natural for me to question its truth-value and meaningfulness. Perhaps,
this question was raised because my knowledge on western philosophy is
broader. However, I would not disregard this topic of Ilokano Philosophy. It must
be also included in the presentation the methods that the speaker used in doing
Ilokano Philosophy, not just explaining the all-inclusive nakem. Moreover, I would
want to know if the speaker has considered the implications of geographical
differences of Ilokanos since many do not just inhabit in the Ilocos region but all
over the world. Nevertheless, I would regard this doing of Ilokano Philosophy as a
way to further doing of other Filipino philosophies.