“Conscripcion” at Manila Museum Showcases Ilocano Culture

Artifacts, records and documents depicting the “bloody” history and rich culture of Ilocos Sur during the Colonial Era are now displayed in the “Conscripcion” Exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum in Manila.

The exhibit has attracted artists, culture enthusiasts, Genuine Ilocanos, government officials and foreign dignitaries.

Vice- Gov. Deogracias Victor “DV” Savellano, project coordinator, said the 18th century documents, displayed in “Conscripcion” were inscriptions when the Ilocos Region was still part of the Spanish Empire.

The 14 bloody scenes of the famous “Basi Revolt” were essayed on canvass by artist Esteban Villanueva which amazed the audience including Vice President Jejomar Binay; former First Lady and now Ilocos Norte Congresswoman Imelda Romualdez Marcos; DILG Sec. Rogelio Singson, a native of Vigan; former Senator Orly Mercado; and former Cavite Congressman Ridel Abaya.

Savellano explained that when the colonial authorities sought to control the revenues from the manufacture of “Basi” or Ilocano wine, the natives revolted against the foreign oppressors which ignited the rebellion from Piddig, Ilocos Norte to the historic Bantaoay River in San Ildefonso, Ilocos Sur.

The “Conscription”, which will continue until December, features the Ilocano culture, history and traditions including old maps and records written in Spanish and Iluco like the Mapa Geografico del Centro de la Abra en la Provincia de Ilocos, the Sta. Maria Tribunal in 1894 and original plans on the establishment of Iglesias, Municipios and Carcels in Ilocos.

Other artifacts displayed were the Ilocos crafts “Abel” or Iluko weaving, the “Revolutionary Salakot” of Isabelo Abaya of the famous “Cry of Candon”, Seal of the Revolutionary Government, Portrait of Miguel Garcia by Juan Azcao, Inventory of Freedoms, and the Mueblos del Convento in Kandong in 1898.

Savellano said that this unique exhibit will attract not only historians and artists but also foreign and local investors to put up their eco-tourism industries in Ilocos Sur, categorized as First Class Province and no. 1 producer of Virginia Tobacco. (ANL/Ben P. Pacris- PIA 1 Ilocos Sur)