A Filipino from ‘Solid North’ during elections

I am a pure Ilocano, having been born and raised by parents who inculcated in us, their children, the values of simplicity, frugality and, yes, humility—teaching us to own up to our mistakes and to sincerely apologize for them, and make a firm commitment not to repeat them.

I am not part of the so-called “Solid North,” and probably many more Ilocanos see themselves likewise. As one of the Filipinos who witnessed the human rights violations, sufferings, injustices and the lavish, shameless display of wealth, arrogance and corruption during the Marcos dictatorship, while millions of Filipinos wallowed in dirt-poor conditions, it became my mission—or you may call it advocacy—to tell my children, and now my grandchildren, that never again should the Philippines suffer from any sin of Ferdinand Marcos.

Even my fellow northerners say that not one of the Marcoses speaks straight Ilocano. It is doubtful if they savor our favorite saluyot, and we can count with the fingers of one hand how many times their congresswoman visits Ilocos Norte.

I am proud of my Ilocano ancestry, with the blood of Diego and Gabriela Silang running in my veins. I enjoy the poems of Bukaneg as well as the endearing stories of Bannawag. However, during elections, I vote as a Filipino.

—ELENA MADRID MOSTOLES, Green Water Village, Baguio City