Ivatan Book gets national award
(from Bandillo Batanes)

Ivatan Dictionary.

The Ivatan-Filipino-English Dictionary, the Cultural Dictionary of Batanes, was recently given the 1999 National Book Award for Linguistic by the Manila Critics Organization.

The cultural dictionary, authored by noted Ivatan, Dr. Cesar A. Hidalgo, is the first publication that aims to give a better understanding of a culture through a language. "My interest was for the preservation, promotion and development of national culture, and this dictionary is the Ivatan's noble contribution for cultural understanding". Hidalgo said.

"The dictionary is very helpful reference for those who wish to understand the Ivatan language and culture but who speak Filipino or English," Hidalgo added. The dictionary defines and gives helpful information on Ivatan words in both Filipino and English languages.

Hidalgo is also the author of several books of Batanes, including "The Making of the Ivatans: The Cultural History of Batanes" and "A Tagmemic Grammar of Ivatan" which he co-wrote with his wife, Araceli C. Hidalgo, Ph.D.

The Ivatan-Filipino-English Dictionary, the Cultural Dictionary of Batanes, was published in March 1998. It was a project of the provincial government of Batanes under the administration of former Governor Telesforo F. Castillejos. Members of the dictionary committee that was formed to complete the project included then Vice-Governor Elena V. Alcantara as coordinator, and Eleanor A. Abad, Rucela H. Avancena, Eduardo M. Balasbas, Anastacio A. Barcelona, Sr., Bibiano Bata, Nestor B. Capito, Ramona EA. Castillejos, Virginia A. Castillo, Lolita B. Galita, Vicenta V. Hidalgo, Edmundo C. Puño and Magdalena C. Villalva.

---

You can now buy your copy of the Ivatan Dictionary at the Batanes Online Shop.