(Welcome remarks, B.A. Ilokano Banquet, Ilokano Language and Literature Program, University of Hawai`i at Manoa, Hale Koa Hotel Luau Garden, April 25, 2008)
Madaydayaw a tallaong, mararaem a kabinnulig iti daytoy a dangadang iti nagan ti pannakaitan-ok ti kultura ken laing, lengguahe ken kinatakneng ni Ilokano, ken ipatpategmi a kakadua iti pannakaitandudo ni kina-Ilokano:
Lumaemkayo iti daytoy a taripnong, iti daytoy a pannakikammayet, iti daytoy a pannakikadua kadagiti adalantayo tapno rambakantayo ti nagpaiduma a laingda.
Dagitoy nga adalantayo ti mangilalaem kadakayo—ket sipapannakkelkami a mangipresenta kadakayo dagitoy nga agtutubo.
Iti nagan ti program ti lengguahe ken kultura ni Ilokano, iti nagan dagitoy nga adalan, iti nagan dagiti amin a tumutulong kadatayo tapno iti kasta ket maiyallatiw dagiti rumbeng ken maikanatad nga adal kadakuada, napnuan ragsak ti adda iti pusomi a magpadanon kadakayo.
Babaen ti kaaddayo iti daytoy a taripnong, siaammokami, ken sinanamakami, nga agtultuloy ti pannakapasantak ti kultura ken padas dagiti Ilokano uray sadinno a lugar ti pakaipalpalladawanda.
Narigat ti mangmuli iti panunot ken isip.
Narigat ti mangipasagepsep kadagiti adal a no dadduma ken baniagan kadagiti ubbing a henerasion.
Narigat ti mangilaban iti kananakem no kasta a nagkaadu dagiti pagel, dagiti parikut, dagiti makaigapu no apay a saanen a maapresiar ti kultura a nagtaudan.
Ngem la ket ta ditay mamingga a mangay-ayat iti kinaasinnotayo, la ket ta agtultuloy ti panangay-ayattayo iti pagsasaotayo, la ket ta agtultuloy ti panangiyalikakatayo iti kulturatayo, dinto kaano man aggibus ti natakneng a kinaasinnotayo.
Ngarud, babaen iti daytoy a selebrasion, babaen iti daytoy a padaya, itedmi kadakayo ti nabara a kablaaw iti idadar-ayyo iti daytoy a programatayo a mangitan-ok iti laing dagiti adalantayo.
Ta dayta a laing a maitan-ok ti pakabirokantayo iti salakantayo.
Ta dayta a laing a maitan-ok ti mangipaneknek a saan nga asiasi ni Ilokano ket babaen iti bendision ti biag, masarkedanna amin dagitoy. Iti udina, agbiag isuna nga agnanayon.
Iti udina, agbiagtayo nga agnanayon.
Dumanonkayo amin—ken Naimbag a rabiiyo amin.
Esteemed guests; honorable co-advocates in this struggle to continually value the culture and wisdom, and the language and dignity of the Ilokano people; and friends we love and who are with us in this struggle for Ilokanoness:
Please do come and join us in this gathering, in this act of unity, in this celebrating with our students so that together we recognize their extraordinary gifts.
These students will do great things in our name—and we are proud to present them to you tonight.
In the name of the language and culture of the Ilokano, in the name of these students, in the name of all those are who are helping us out in order that the knowledge that is just and proper and right is transmitted to our students, our hearts are filled with joy in welcoming you all.
By your presence in this banquet, we know, and we hope, that the culture and experience of the Ilokano will continue to be nurtured and nourished wherever the Ilokano finds himself.
It is not easy molding minds and thought.
It is not easy transferring the lessons especially so when these have become strange to our students, those who belong to the younger generation.
It is not easy fighting for the will when there are a lot of obstacles, a lot of problems, and other reasons why the culture we are born into is no longer appreciated.
But for as long as we do not stop taking pride in who we are, for as long as we continue to love our language, for as long as we continue to care for our culture, our dignity and self-respect as a people will remain.
Therefore, through this celebration, through this festive occasion, we give you our warm greetings even as you come and join us in this gathering that is meant to glorify the talents of our students.
It is in that talent that is glorified that we find redemption.
It is in that talent that is glorified that proves that the Ilokano can transcend himself, and that, with the blessings of life, he might be able to hurdle all problems.
In the end, the Ilokano will live forever.
In the end, we all live forever.
Welcome—welcome—and good evening to all of you.
A S Agcaoili
Hon, HI
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