Ang Biyáy ng Sambal na Sinasalamin ng Kanilang mga Tradisyonal na Awitin: Ethnoliterary Analysis of Selected Traditional Songs in Hella Eleonore Goschnick’s (1989) Tina Sambal Songs and Poems

Abstract

The Sambals in the northern part of Zambales had a vibrant literature of songs documented in Goschnick's (1989) Tina Sambal songs and poems. Traditional songs were selected from the book to explore the identity and values of Sambal at the time of Goschnick’s writing. As part of the fabric of Filipino society, the study of Sambal's identity and values contributes to one aspect of the multicultural and multilingual nature of Filipino identity and value system. Through employing an ethnoliterary approach, the study analyzed twenty-seven (27) traditional songs using the theories of mimetic, rhetorical, representation, and cultural memory. The study also employed community field study and key-informant guided interviews to verify the identified identity and values. Eight (8) key informants from barangays in Candelaria, Masinloc, and Botolan participated in the study. Based on the results, the traditional Sambal songs reflect the life, challenges, and aspirations of the Sambal people within the specific historical context. At the time of Goschnick’s writing, the Sambal people’s identity based on the selected traditional songs were religious, family-centered, aware, romantic, artistic, performers, patriotic, and connected. The values exhibited then was concentrated on God, family, self, lover, community, education, happiness, dead loved ones, heritage, and native land. In the present, the Sambal people continue to embody the said identity and practice the said values but with varying degrees as the key informants reported that community gatherings where traditional Sambal songs are sung become less common. On the other hand, comparison and contrast of Sambal values and mainstream Filipino values suggest similarities as well as the complexity of the Sambal values system. At this point, the study recommends further exploration of the Sambal identity and values in Botolan, Iba, Palauig, Sta. Cruz, Bolinao, and Panitian, and to consider integrating the study’s results in promoting the Sambal traditional songs in social media or integrating it in the educational curriculum.