The Mariano Marcos State University-Center for Iloko and Amianan Studies (MMSU-CIAS) conducted online activities to celebrate the Ilokano literature month in April. 

These are in line with the theme, “Ilokano Literature in Pandemic and Post-pandemic Times: Moving towards Virtual, Online, and Digital Forms.”

First was the tweetniw: daniw ti sennaay where participants submitted poetry verses using Twitter. This contest was inspired by the book Rabii: 100 a tweetniw written by Roy V. Aragon. 

Second, the burburtia guessing game allowed the participants to post their Ilokano riddles via Facebook, and let others correctly answer the same.

Meanwhile, three faculty from MMSU Laboratory Elementary School (LES) read Ilokano poems: Ms. May Flor C. Rivera for Nalpay a Namnama; Ms. Rica Jane Natividad for Bungonenta Dagiti Dekada; and Mr. Leonardo Tejano for Silpo Daytoy Biag. These were video-recorded and posted on the CIAS Facebook page. 

The Ilokano poems were written by Ms. Leona Florentino, Dr. Alegria T. Visaya, and Ms. Sonja Chan, respectively. 

Tejano, CIAS chief, said these activities are simple ways of showing how Ilokano literature showcases Ilokano lives while thriving with digital technology.

Proclamation No. 26 s. 2001 signed by former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declares April as Ilokano Literature Month “to establish the development of the Ilokano Literature and the preservation of Ilokano culture which are important facets of the Filipino.” – Niña Christelle M. Sumintac (correspondent)