English Subject

I. INTRODUCTION

Region 1 (Ilocos Region)

A. PROVINCES

* Ilocos Norte

* Ilocos Sur

* Pangasinan

* La Union

The region is composed of 116 towns and 9 cities that make up the north-western portion of the Philippines.

B. DIALECT

* Ilocano speakers -66%

* Pangasinan speakers - 27%

* Tagalogs - 3%

C. PEOPLE

Ilocanos in:

* Ilocos Norte (97%)

* Ilocos Sur (97%)

* La Union (92%)

* Pangasinan (45%)

D. CHARACTERSITICS

Ilocanos are:

* Hardworking (engaged in farming and fishing)

* frugal

* Brave

* Cheerful

* Simple

* independent

Family: Ilocano family conforms to the general Filipino pattern.

* Father- head of the family

* Mother- light of the family

* Eldest- divides the chores equally among siblings

E. TRADITION

Wedding tradition

The man should ask the consent of his parents first. The groom's parents will pay the dowry and finance the wedding. The groom makes a panagpudno (formal announcement) to the soon-to-be bride's parents about his intention of marrying their daughter. His parents will then visit the bride's parents to set the wedding date. Usually, parents consult a planetario, which is like an almanac that identifies "lucky" days.

A feast follows the church ceremony. The bride and groom usually go through an entertainment ritual. The groom offers the bride a plate of mung beans, which symbolizes fertility. The bride refuses the dish several times before finally accepting it. Then the bride offers the beans to the groom whom, in return, refuses the dish until an old man calls an end to the ritual.

Another highlight of the feast is the bitor wherein guests contribute cash to the newlyweds either by dropping money onto the plates or by pinning bills to the couple's clothes.

Death tradition

To announce a death of a family member, a piece of atong wood is lit in front of the deceased's house. It is kept burning until after the burial. The fire is extinguished with white wine.

Before the funeral, relatives pay respect by kissing the deceased's hands or raising it to his/her forehead (mano). The corpse is kept inside the house. It is dressed in its best clothing and a kerchief is tied around the jaw. A basin of water mixed with vinegar is placed under the bed to remove the odor. Those who attended the burial in the cemetery must return to the deceased's home by taking a different route from the one they've taken to get there. Upon arrival, they must wash their faces and hands. It is said to remove the power of death

II. REPORT PROPER

Title: HOW MY BROTHER LEON BROUGHT HOME A WIFE (by Manuel E. Arguilla)

Vocabulary Words:

1. Forelock- a lock of a horse's mane that grows forward between the ears

2. Jolting- to shake up with a bumpy ride

3. Surmised- to infer without sufficiently conclusive evidence

4. Bobbed-yto hit lightly and quickly; To move up and down

5. Yoke- a wooden frame for harnessing together a pair of oxen.