Siuálâ Ding Meángûbié

Kamikakushi (神隠し): Parallels in Kapampangan and Japanese folklore

The concept of kamikakushi (神隠し) as presented in the anime Spirited Away (千と千尋の神隠し) by Miyazaki Hayao (宮崎駿) contains a striking parallel to the concept of menunu in Kapampangan folklore. The Kapampangan ancestral spirits or nunu are similar in many ways to the Japanese kami (神). In Miyazaki's anime, the child's parents turned into pigs after they greedily helped themselves to a sumptuous feast that was prepared for the spirits. In the Kapampangan folklore, Apung Sinukuan, the Kapampangan Sun God and Lord of Mount Alaya, turned the greedy humans who took advantage of his hospitality and desecrated his mountain into the first pigs.

Posted on: May 27,2009 11:19 AM  |  comments ( 1 )  |  » read more

Today's Typhoon (台風)

Sattelite Map of Tropical Storm Emong from P.A.G.A.S.A.

Technically speaking, today's tropical storm is not a Bagyu or a Typhoon (台風) because it did not generate from the Bagyuan direction (S.E.) in the Pacific Ocean. Technically, in Kapampangan this is called a Sigua, because it is generated in the Siguaran direction (S.W.) which is in the South China Sea. Sigua are quite rare. Strange to even imagine that a Typhoon class tropical storm can be generated in the South China Sea.

Anyway, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services (PAGASA) should be familiar with the indigenous terms related to specific weather conditions. Not all tropical storms are generically termed Bagyu or Typhoons. Indigenous fishing communities, like the Kapampangan people living in the delta are particular about storms, winds and wind directions. It is misleading  to tell a fisherman that this storm comes from the Pacific Ocean (by calling it Bagyu) when it actually comes from the opposite side of the bay.

Posted on: May 06,2009 10:41 PM  |  comments ( 1 )  |  » read more

ヴォイス～命なき者の声

Who would have thought that they would translate my  name Siuálâ ding Meángûbié (Voice of the Departed) into Japanese, 命なき者の声 (Inochi Nakimono no Koe), and use it as a title for a TV Drama?

びっくりした...

ヴォイス～命なき者の声

Posted on: May 06,2009 08:43 PM  |  comments ( 0 )  |  » read more

Oddity of Oddities

Ever wondered why Japan's victory over the combined Philippine and American forces in Bataan and Corregidor sixty seven years ago is celebrated by the Philippines as its "Araw ng Kagitingan" (Day of Valour)? And why of all victory celebrations, it is the victors who are scorned and ashamed to attend it?

Posted on: May 03,2009 05:02 AM  |  comments ( 1 )  |  » read more