Interviewing an Ilocano Writer

Iloco Literature has an unsurpassed beauty which can have a great future. Its vitalizes can be measured by the ever expanding volume of literature that is produced by the Ilocano writers and had contributed a lot in the development of the Philippine Literature. The notable literary pieces of our Ilocano ancestors depict the life of every Ilocano before, even now, and it is greatly appreciated and recognized in the Philippines.

Literature has a major impact on the development of our society and to the life of every citizen. It has shaped civilizations, changed political systems and exposed injustice. Literature gives us a detailed preview of human experiences, allowing us to connect on basic levels of desire and emotion. And it is really true that Iloco Literature is very rich because of the works that had been contributed by the writers that were published nationwide.

In addition to that, Ilocos Region is considered as the part of national literature by critics and literature experts, which means that Iloco writing has to be rendered in English and/or Filipino, the national language. The Iloco Literature is both an attempt to paint the unique life of the Ilocano and to transcend that uniqueness by creating images and narrating experiences beyond that which the Ilocos terrain provides. It does 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 Ilocano’s speak for the nation, dream for relief, and cry out and desires for peace.

Besides, Iloco Literature is very much alive to prove that the Ilocano’s worth. In fact, Iloco writers remain among the most active writers in the Philippines in spite of unstoppable odds, they have produced numerous works in the country.

One of the Iloco writers that had contributed a lot in the development of the Iloco Literature is Mr. Herdy La Yumul. It was a great experience and opportunity to interview him and we are very much thankful for he lend his time with us even though he’s so busy. He still lend his precious time for us to know more about his personal information, his inspiration to write, his accomplishments, his works and other relevant/pertinent pieces of information about him.

Herdy La Yumul, a Genuine Ilocano from Riverside, Laoag City, maintains a weekly column in a newspaper and works as a teacher in a State University at the same time. A Philosophy and Human Resource Development Graduate from San Beda and MA Sociology candidate in the University of the Philippines Diliman. He has his blog ‘Riknakem.com’ labeled as one of the top five blogs in society, politics, and history by the Philippine Blog Awards in 2012. The He(a)rd Mentality, a book which is actually a collection of his highly acclaimed newspaper articles and essays, is his most celebrated writing feat up to date.

First, when he was still young, he already wrote a lot of essays and poems. He just found that it was his gift to write. In High School, he became very controversial when he wrote an article about fraternities basically against them. The title was “Mga Anak ng Fating” and when the paper came out, his picture in his column had marks on it. He went to Northern Christian College during his High School because he don’t want to study in Divine Word of College anymore. He transferred to Norther Christian College and they nurture his gift as a writer, so he was then an Editor-in-Chief in their school paper at that time.

First book of its kind to be published in Ilocos- The HE(a)rd Mentality

Second, writing is a constant practice. There’s no such thing as perfect writing, always rewriting. For example, his book entitled “The He(a)rd Mentality”, is the first book of its kind to be published in Ilocos. He was very happy at that time, students were saving out for it. They went for the bookstore and buy it. And he think that they were inspired by the book because some of those articles he wrote when he was still young in the span of 10 years. So, those essays were written in the year 2000-2010. There were 55 essays in that book and already appeared in the Inquirer. He is also probably the only person here in the Northern Luzon who has written the most number of young blood articles in the Inquirer.

Precisely, he also taught in Manila before when he came here at MMSU to teach. He started the Social Sciences Publication and it’s called “Sabangan” and then because it only came out quarterly, he said “How can I write more?’’ So, he applied at Ilocos Times and had a weekly column, it’s called “Riknakem’’. He was writing articles not to think that there are interested readers to it. Actually in his first article, he really got engrossed and spend a lot of time. He printed 1000 copies and it sold out. Another 1000 copies and again it sold out. He also have his blog “herdylayumul.com” where we can see his previous writings there. He’s not only a writer and a teacher but also a kind-hearted father, son and husband.

So, writing is not done because you’re inspired. It’s an urge and it’s something we do because doing otherwise would make us feel frustrated. So writing is not a result of an inspiration but realizing what we can do, perhaps, inspired or driven by an event, a person, and a phenomenon. He said that it’s not just taking inspiration but realizing the potential to a written output because right now he is swamped with administrative work as a Director- Office for Strategic Communication. He has a little time to write now, but there are lots of ideas that he keeps in his tickler or in his cellphone. When he writes, he does not flaunt his vocabulary because his target is to understand by all people and even a grade school. He succeed as a writer because they understand what he is saying. So, having the mode to write, given the courage to write what we want to write about and to sustain it are the key to be a successful writer. He decide to be a writer and make it as his profession, make it consistent.

And that’s the reason why we chose him as the subject of our interview for our 21st Century Literature Class for he is a prominent writer and we knew he suits this interview well. He has the ability to draw skills in the areas of understanding of writing, listening and tolerance. In the field of writing, we know he has a tremendous skill and we do think it is one of the reasons why so many learners who are given this opportunity to interview, do really well.

Moreover, one of the literary pieces that we selected in his blog and he discussed along with us during the interview is entitled as “For speaking Ilocano, 3 students expelled by Christian school, published on August 6, 2013. The School President of Saviour’s Christian Academy, Reverend Brian Shah, threatened and then expelled 3 Grade-8 students for speaking Iloco during a break at the English-speaking campus namely, Kleinee Bautista, Carl Abadilla, and Samuel Respicio. Yumul wrote that speaking in the vernacular, according to the school’s handbook, is punishable by law.

According to Yumul, he heard a news regarding that 3 students in Saviour’s Christian Academy who was expelled by their principal who only speak Ilocano. So, what he did was to do a little research. During the American Colonial Period, English was systematically promoted as the language of civilized Filipinos. July 31, 2013, Three students of Saviour’s Christian Academy were dismissed for speaking Ilocano. August 2, 2013, an anonymous text was read at Bombo radio. Criseta Pedro, the school principal defended that it was based on school policy. August 5, 2013, the Ilocos Times covered a story by him. He interviewed kids and their parents and he posted the article at 2 AM at Riknakem.com. It got viral after a few hours. The story was retold and proved by the national media in Rappler, ABS-CBN News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Inquirer Global, Yahoo, 24 Oras, Unang Hirit, Umagang Kay Ganda, etc. So, why did the story become viral? Why did social media group here and in abroad show solidarity with Ilocanos?

It was held during the Buwan ng Wika. Various groups supported especially those from University of Hawaii and there is this international organization called Nakem. The international committee was created (Hawaii-Manila-Laoag). An open letter was drafted to Rev. Shah. There was a petition at change.org.

“Speaking Ilocano is a crime,” some students quote Shah as saying. Then the issue has come out on radio, but Shah has consistently veered away from media interviews. Asked for a reaction, he declined to comment by saying.

“I admire that they want their students to be fluent in English in words and in thought, but I think their policy is foolish and dated,” says Eugene, who is not related to SCA’s high school principal. “Immersion is really one of the best ways to become fluent, but it doesn’t really work when the school shames students for speaking their native language,” he adds.

Even poor teachers are victims of Shah’s linguistic dictatorship. Teachers have been warned not to use Ilocano or Filipino in conversing with students in social networking sites (even if they are using the Internet in their own homes.). If Shah finds out, they were informed, the punishment is forfeiture of a month’s salary.

Indeed, the article is somehow done wholeheartedly and the writer is very much proud of and really changed his life a lot. The importance of every work he had done is somehow connected to his own observations and experiences as well. He write a lot of books, sire a child and plant a tree. He had written a lot of articles, planted trees and had a child but their baby died 5 ½ months in the womb so he work on a baby again. Consequently, his dad in the ICU is dying and he never stop believing in God that this struggle he was facing right now will be solve. And in spite of all the trials, failures, pains and sorrows that he encountered throughout his 30 years in this world and through being a prominent writer, he never stops dreaming and writing articles, and that struggle he had experienced made him stronger to face his life journey as a writer, a teacher and a father. He write to express his thoughts so that he’s doing himself a favor because it’s difficult to keep his thoughts within his self. So, at present, he still dreams high and write more essays, articles and books to inspire more Ilocano.

This article became remarkable to the vast number of people, not only in the said place but it also reached insiders and outsiders. It was an injustice and a cultural disrespect to the part of all. This article is made to help us to realize that we should have justice and be fair always to others. We should keep in mind that in doing such thing, we should exert effort to achieve success. So, as an Ilocano do not just be a good writer but a good observer as well. Lingua franca should be used freely without any limit. We, Ilocano has our own language and it served as our own identity. And we should put into consideration that it is our language and we used it wherever we go.

Therefore, Iloco Literature had gone so far. This implies that the Ilocano writers have become global; do not only confine themselves to Iloco writing but also in Filipino and English as well. In doing so, Ilocano writers should nurture the gift. Be courageous and grow as a writer because we would put our self-injustice if we don’t nurture that gift. Know why we’re writing and know who we are writing for. When we want to be a writer, read a lot. Read the works of the giants so we can be as tall as the giants too. This interview made us realized that a true writer never gives up on every struggle he faces. Be an inspiration. The power of great literature lies partly in its capacity to change and surprise us, including through the shock of understanding other lives.