Ilocana for All Seasons: Modern Image of Ilocano Women

Change is inevitable and certain factors contribute to these changes. Before people lived simpler lives but now, people seem to live their lives going with the trends. Stating the obvious, there is a difference in how women act, dress, how they were treated or simply on how they lived from the past and in the present. In terms of clothing, they wore more conservative clothes back then. This study aims to differentiate further the past from the present. It aims to know the divergence in women in the old days and women forthwith, as well as the factors that contributed to these transformations and its reasons. The researchers utilized interviews in gathering credible information in determining the various roles and lifestyles of Ilocano women. It was conducted in the Northern part of Luzon in the Philippines called “Ilocos” specifically in La Union. The Ilocanos are the third largest Filipino Ethnolinguistic group which makes it possible to conduct research integrating the empowerment of Ilocano women. This research is beneficial to women, especially to the Ilocanos. It clarifies the roles of women and the modern image of an Ilocano as part of the Filipino community. With the given responses of the participants, themes were identified in order to determine the changes among the various roles of women in an Ilocano culture. Their responses also indicated the values that every Ilocana possesses. The problems encountered by the Ilocano women were classified according to their various roles in society. The researchers came up with a recommendation that focuses on gender equality and promoting an egalitarian Ilocano community.