Siuálâ Ding Meángûbié

Dugong Aso: A study of its etymology

Dugong Aso, the Tagalog derogatory term in reference to the Kapampangan people  can be traced back to ithe traditional practice of using dogs to hunt wild game. Usage of the term probably had its roots around the early 1600s at a time when the Spaniards still considered every inhabitants of the islands as salvages or "wild beasts." The Kapampangans were considered an exception because they were indispensible allies in the protection of the islands against the Dutch, British, Chinese and other nationalities percieved to be a threat to Spanish dominion. One Spanish friar wrote that "three Kapampangans plus one Castillan equals four Castillans" (San Agustin, 1699).

Macabebe Scouts circa 1899. Photograph taken from Jose Olivares' "Our Island and Its People as Seen with Camera and Pencil".

At a time when the rest of the inhabitants were treated as "wild animals" by the Spanish colonial government, the Kapampangans were considered "honorary Spaniards" as long as they serve as soldiers under the Spanish flag and wear the Spanish uniform. When the Spanish colonial navy, (which was basically a Kapampangan fleet serving under the Spanish flag) defeated a massive Dutch invasion in 1640, Governor General Hurtado de Corcuera petitioned the King of Spain to allow the sons of the Kapampangan nobility to study side by side with the Spaniards in their exclusive schools in Manila (Henson, 1965).

Soon after, Kapampangan nobles  were allowed to lead and maintain their own armies, as long as they serve the Catholic Church and the King of Spain (Corpuz, 1989) . They wore Spanish uniforms and were used by the Spanish colonial government to put down countless revolts within the islands.

The Tagalog people asked, "if we are salvages (wild beasts), then what are Kapampangans?" Their answer: Dugong Aso...for the dog is the only animal that would help humans hunt other animals.

Reference Notes:

Corpuz, Onofre D. (1989) The Roots of the Filipino Nation. [vol.2: 127] Quezon City, Philippines: AKLAHI Foundation.

Henson, Mariano A. [4th rev. ed.] (1965) Pampanga and Its Towns: A.D. 1300 - 1965. Angeles, Pampanga, Philippines: Mariano A. Henson.

San Agustin, Gaspar [1998 bilingual ed.: Spanish & English]. (1699). Conquistas de las Islas Philipinas, 1565-1615. Trans. Luis Antonio Maneru. Intramuros, Manila, Philippines: Pedro Galende, OSA.