Philippine E-Journals

The Role of Religious Institutions in Advancing the Cause of Ilokano and Amianan Studies

Bonifacio V. Ramos

 

Abstract:

Taking the cue from the mandate of religious institutions in Northern Luzon and their role in the preservation and promotion of the various languages and cultures in the area, this paper documents and spells out a blueprint for acknowledging with seriousness what multiculturalism is all about and why there is urgency in pushing for a pluralistic view of things that embody the Philippines, a view that also accounts ‘Ilokano and Amianan’ cultures. The paper documents the initiatives of the religious institutions, particularly the CICM schools and their missionaries, in recognizing, respecting, and promoting multiculturalism and linguistic pluralism, cultural and linguistic democracy, with focus on “Ilokano and Amianan cultures and languages” thereby leading to unity in diversity.