Region 1
Region 1
Region 1
Region 1 or the Ilocos Region is made out of four regions and a cityIlocos Norte, Ilocos Sur,
La Union, Pangasinan, and Dagupan City. Majority of the population speaks Ilocano, the third
largest spoken language in the Philippines, although a significant number also speak
Pangasinense.
The region has a coast and sloping extents that are prone to typhoon in the wet months, however
devastatingly hot during the dry season. This is the setting of Ilocano food. It's salty because of
the closeness to the ocean. There is even a whole territory named after asin (salt) in Pangasinan.
Fish is preserved by drying, and of course, reduced into a paste or sauce by fermentation.
Choreography:
The Ilocanos have a rich, blessed culture. They are one of the most influential regional cultures
in the Philippines next to Tagalog, Cebuano, and others.
In Ilocos Norte, the natives take pride in their various songs and dances, which display their
different customs, beliefs and practices. Most of their native songs express their characteristics,
aspirations and occupations. Passed down from generation to generation, the ethnic Ilocano
culture lives on in the heart of the modern Ilocanos.
Music Instruments:
1. Tongatong is a bamboo percussion instrument used by the people of Kalinga to communicate with
spirits during house blessings. It is made of bamboo cut in various lengths. When you hit it against soft
earth a certain drone reverberates though the instrument's open mouth. When an entire set of Tongatong
is played in interloping rhythm and prolonged with the tribal chanting, it could put the audience and the
dancers in a trance. (http://philippinesheritage.ph/filer/toledo-cebu/Cordillera-Musical-Instruments.pdf)
3. Saggeypo it is a bamboo pipe that is closed on one end by a node with the open end held against the
lower lip of the player as he blows directly across the top. The pipe can be played individually by
one person or in ensembles of three or more. (http://philippinesheritage.ph/filer/toledo-cebu/Cordillera-
Musical-Instruments.pdf)