ANALYSES AND CONSERVATION STRATEGIES OF INDIGENOUS ILOKANO FOLKSONGS IN NORTHWESTERN CAGAYAN, PHILIPPINES

The study collected and analyzed the content, theme, and virtues nested in the indigenous Ilocano songs in the Northwestern part of Cagayan province, Philippines. These folksongs are expressions of Ilokanos’ thoughts, feelings and emotions as shown in the folksongs on love for humanity and the natural world. The themes are focused on being proud, happy and thankful for the quality of life they have, for any beautiful thing, for the love of family, and for the gift of nature. The dominant virtues traced include faithfulness, idealism, optimism, industry, humility, unity, pride, love and respect. Preservation and conservation of these folksongs is possible through collecting and documentation, transforming these songs into various media (printed and electronic), and establishing a folksong museum which could be a Center of Folksong- Knowledge Transmission. Government and the academic community should help support the conservation of authentic Ilokano songs before these shall be forgotten