This book is a contribution to promote and preserve the rich musical heritage of Ilocos Norte, Philippines, the author’s home province. It is part of a project to provide teachers and students with the tools to teach and acquire literate musicianship fundamentally through their own musical mother tongue, Ilocano. While students gain a broader perspective and understanding of the salient, subtle nuances and features of music, it is hoped that they also become stewards of their own cultural legacy. 

The materials in this publication were collected through first-hand fieldwork by the author. A total of 141 vocal and 16 instrumental materials include indigenous and Western-influenced traditional/folk songs, spoken rhymes and musical games for children and adults, musical oral traditions for special occasions that are chanted and extemporized and a few instrumental pieces for particular functions.  Several of these materials have been collected from real-life contexts, in celebration and observance of special events such as Christmas, Holy Week, birthdays, fiestas, courtship, weddings, and wakes. This set of materials consists of a book, three audio/data CDs and a DVD. 

Ilocanos have a wealth of musical heritage culled from the period of pre-colonization, interactions with neighboring Asian countries and the major influences of Spain and the United States of America. Four centuries of Western domination were long and powerful enough to influence the overall psyche of the Ilocano. This collection of musical materials reflects the rich and diverse Ilocano culture. It is a contribution to make music education relevant, engaging and meaningful. 

‘Aweng ti Kailokuan’ literally means ‘Sounds/Echoes of Ilocos’.  The symbol of a bell echoes and resonates the rich and diverse influences expressed in music and oral tradition which every Ilocano, across generations and social and cultural background can truly relate with. “Aweng ti Kailokuan: The Musical Heritage of the Ilocanos” awakens the soul and sensibilities of the Ilocano.