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Kapampangan: Who is Killing Our Language?!? (Part 2)

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 11:28:47 +0100

Ing manimúna kareng Kapampángan dápat túne yang Kapampángan! Dápot menibat kng ibat, ing Amánung Sísuan ampóng ing Kabiasnan Kapampángan asneng kaláut kng pamálak at pamigúnam ding mangaklak a buntúk a manungkúlan. Ing makapagmalún, maralas déning kekatámung lulukluk a manungkúlan íla pang mismung makamate kng Amánung Sísuan at Kultúrang Kapampangan. Mangga man ngéni, ing Amanung Sisuan aliuâ ya ing Amánung Basál ning mismung Provincia at ding sibabalén Kapampángan. ...

Kapampangan: Who is Killing Our Language?!? (Part 1)

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 11:31:52 +0100

Kng metung a kasal nabengi, atupan kong mipag-istoria reng limang anak a maki-edad pitu ampong ualung banua. Mipanagalug la. Kitang ku nung biasa lang Kapampangan. Tambing yang mekibat ing metung kng Tagalug "Ayaw ko. Tagalog na ako" (I don't want to. I am now Tagalog.). Mengapamulala ku. Anti ra ku uaring timpaling kng kamatutuan na ning pamaglau ning Amanung Sisuan at ning Bangsang Kapampangan. The Kapampangan Language is currently moribund since most Kapampangan parents now speak to their children only in the dominant language Tagalog. Experts say that in 20 years time, the Kapampangan language will cease to exist.

Sadia ing pibalebale ya na mu kabud ing pekasantungan ning Amanung Sisuan pauli ning babaual de iti kareng escuela ampo' kng obra. Dapot ngeni pilalung kng kilub ning bale deyu da ne mu rin deng mismung pengari.

Kapampangan ya ing ima. Kapampangan ya ing tatang. ...

Typhoon BUGUK

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:30:38 +0100

台風第17号 (パーマァ)
平成21年10月08日19時05分発表 Talk about freak typhoons and strange weather conditions! At first I thought Typhoon Buguk was just another prank created by my mischievous friend Sato Daisuke until he sent me the complete report from the Japan Meteorological Agency: http://www.jma.go.jp/jp/typh/0917.html. So according to the report, this typhoon would make land fall on the north east of Luzon by tomorrow October 9, 2009; head out to sea on the following day October 10; then change its course and come back to Luzon to make its final stop. What the hell? The satellite photo above explains what happened. Super Typhoon Melor sucked backed former Super Typhoon Parma a.k.a. Typhoon BUGUK after it left Luzon. Dana... buguk ya pin...

History of Sisig

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 19:01:32 +0100

Sísig, the Kapampangan dish now famous all over the Philippines, was originally defined by Diego Bergaño in his 1732 Vocabulario de la Lengua Pampanga as a “salad, including green papaya, or green guava eaten with a dressing of salt, pepper, garlic and vinegar.” Sísig Bábî or “pork sisig” was originally a dish reserved for women, particularly expectant mothers in their first trimester of pregnancy. It was originally made from boiled pig’s ears and pig's tail dressed in vinegar, chopped scallions, salt and pepper. Pork cartilage was believed to aid in the bone development of the infant growing inside the mother’s womb. Sísig Bábî was said to have been first served as “pulutan” (a side dish for beer) in Angeles City in the 1970s. ...

Crime against Nature

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 02:07:34 +0100

Acacia trees line the highway between Angeles City and San Fernando. Photo by Rey Maniago (From the Facebook album: End of an Era). Call me strange... call me an old fashioned tree-hugging hippie... but the killing of trees have always sent chills down mine spine since I was a kid. For the past few days now, the Philippine government, through its local agents, has been murdering the trees that line the highway between Angeles and San Fernando for its road widening project. You can always build roads...but you can never replace the lives of thousands of tree that have been there since our grandparents' time. There used to be lots of taboos in Kapampangan culture regarding the cutting of trees. My grandparents would often say "Manunu ka (The ancestral spirits will punish you)". ...

What Language Do You Use When Making Love?

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 02:02:56 +0100

Kapampangan speakers admit that they find their native language a turn-off during love making and prefer to use the dominant language, Tagalog. This helps them identify themselves with their Tagalog-speaking celebrity idols who star in their favourite romantic movies.

Language experts agree that this is a bad sign as far as the endangerment of the Kapampangan language is concerned. However, since there are no studies made on what language couples prefer to use during sex, the number of native Kapampangan speakers who prefer to use other languages rather than their own during sex is still very much undetermined.
For further details on the current nature of endangerment on the Kapampangan language, see: Pangilinan, Michael R.M. (2009). Kapampangan lexical borrowing from Tagalog: endangerment rather than enrichment. A paper presented at the 11th International Conference on Austronesian Linguistics, June 21 - 25, 2009, Aussois, France.

The Creation of the Filipino Nation and the Decline of the Kapampangan Language

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:09:18 +0100

The following article is taken from:

Pangilinan, Michael Raymon M. (2009). Kapampangan Lexical Borrowing from Tagalog: Endangerment rather than Enrichment. A paper to be presented at the 11th International Conference on Austronesian Linguistcs. Aussois, France, June 22-26, 2009. ----------------------------------------- Some of the ethnic groups in Luzon during the Spanish colonial era: Cagayan Warrior (Boxer Codex), Kapampangan Peasants (Damian Domingo) and Sambal Warriiors (Boxer Codex) During the Spanish colonial era, the different ethno-linguistic groups within the Philippines, at least the major ones, were regarded as “nations” by the Spaniards (Morga, 1609; San Agustin, 1698; Diaz, 1745 and Bergano, 1860). The Spaniards took advantage of these differences and pitted one nation against the other. ...

Mama: The dying practice of Kapampangan betel chewing

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 11:01:47 +0100

Pamagmamâ is the dying Kapampangan tradition of betel chewing that is still practiced among the old folks in remote villages far removed from the urban centers. To see two young Kapampangan culture-bearers, the twins Tito and Toti Tanganco, carrying out this practice in the Kapampangan urban center of Angeles City is indeed quite rare and unusual. Kambal Tito Tanganco demonstrates the dying art of preparing mamâ, the Kapampangan practice of betel chewing. There are three basic ingredients in making the mamâ, namely: the bulung samat (Piper betle leaf), the ápî or lime paste,
and the roughly crushed búngang lúyus (the nut of the Areca catechu).
You will also need a kalakati to peel, slice and cut the Areca catechu nut into smaller pieces. For extra kick or flavour, some add tobacco leaves, cinamon bark (kalingad), or anise seeds. ...

Name Card (名刺)

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 06:27:26 +0100

I'm just so proud of the young Kapampangan artist Bruno (Alexandre Dayrit Tiotuico) who personally designed my name card (名刺) that you see here. Looks like a poster for my first violin concerto at the Suntory Hall. Imagine me wearing a tuxedo...haha! Visit Bruno's photo page at http://brunotiotuico.multiply.com/

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

Wed, 27 May 2009 18:19:55 +0100

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.

Today's Typhoon (台風)

Thu, 07 May 2009 05:41:02 +0100

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. ...

Dugong Aso: A study of its etymology

Sun, 03 May 2009 12:37:27 +0100

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". ...

Kapampangan Tattoo

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:18:09 +0100

Marlon Maristela, a young Kapampangan cultural advocate and tattoo artist of Angeles City considers tattoing a religion and a way of life. His tattoos in the indigenous Kapampangan script (Kulitan) has created a new wave of interest in the use and revival of this pre-colonial heritage among the Kapampangan youth. Zu's Tattoo by Marlon Maristela written in the indigenous Kapampangan script (Kulitan - Sulat Kapampangan).
Ysagani Yatu Ybarra, legendary musician and composer, receives his first Kulitan - Sulat Kapampangan tattoo from Marlon Maristela at the Aftershack Artist Venue in Balibago, Angeles City, September 8, 2008.
Atin Ku Pung Singsing, the most powerful Kapampangan hymn, written horizontally in Kulitan - Sulat Kapampangan and tattooed around Dennis Guiwan's ankle by Marlon Maristela, April 2009. Photo by Vajrasattva Jon Tanganco. ...

Kapampangan Spirituality

Sun, 03 May 2009 10:12:05 +0100

Nû: The Universal Force

Before the coming of the Spaniards, Kapampangans believed in a Universal force known as Nû. This force permeates and sustains all beings. It is generated by them yet at the same time is independent of them. It is immanent and yet transcendent.

Ancient life and society has evolved through an intimate relationship with this force. We used to call our gods and ancestral spirits nunû, meaning "micro force", and the founders of communities as punû, meaning "source of nû". The elderly were particularly respected in ancient Kapampangan society simply because they were commencing gods; they were about to become one with Nû and thus become nunû.
The nunû were not the duendes that the Spaniards made us believe. ...

Kapampangan Philosophy

Sun, 03 May 2009 10:21:09 +0100

ALÁYA: The Kapampangan Spirit "Pilan lang yâtang sîsimbul,
Ibat qng macapabúsal?
Dápot dumúgang alî ya,
Nung alî mû qng ALÂ YA."

“How many spokes (yata) radiate from the wheel? Yet its revolution depends on "that which is not there" (Aláya).. . "Nú ya ing pangagátang ning gátang nung alî mû qng ALÂ YA?"

“A cup (rice measure) is not a cup if not for "that which is not there" Flooded house in Pampanga. Photo courtesy of Francois Mialhe. ...

Language Issues

Sun, 03 May 2009 10:46:53 +0100

That Nagging Orthography Issue: K versus C&Q
Is it Kapampángan or Capampáñgan? This petty squabble over orthography has for the past sixty years confused and discouraged native speakers from reading and writing their own native language. It is partly responsible for the retardation of Kapampangan/Capampangan literature and has thus far only promoted illiteracy rather than literacy. Read more: Problems in Kapampangan Orthography The 3 sets of Roamanised attitudinal procedures: 1. SÚLAT BACÚLUD (Bacolor Script), commonly known as C&Q orthography, is the first Romanised orthography introduced by the Spaniards during the colonial period. It is called SÚLAT BACÚLUD because for a long time it has been identified with the literary giants like Crissot, Galura and Pabalan who all hail from the town of Baculud. ...

Sulat Kapampangan

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:17:22 +0100

Súlat Kapampángan: The Indigenous Kapampangan Script. Súlat Kapampángan, the indigenous Kapampangan script, is an abugida or alphasyllabary, where the consonantal characters possess a default vowel sound that can be altered with use of diacritical marks (Daniels, 1996). Historically, the indigenous characters used to represent the Kapampangan language were called culit by early Spanish friars Alvaro de Benavente (1699) and Diego Bergano (1732) and written as kulit by Zoilo Hilario (1965). The whole writing system is known as kulitan (Pangilinan, 2002).

Atin Ku Pung Singsing, the sacred Kapampangan song, written vertically from right to left, is tattooed in the indigenous Kapampangan script on Jeff Tanganco's skin by Marlon Maristela. Photographed by Vajrasattva Jon Tanganco. See related article: Kapampangan Tattoo
Reference Notes: Bergaño, Diego. ...

Luzon Empire (呂宋國)

Sun, 03 May 2009 10:33:50 +0100

The Luzon Empire (呂宋國) Through the centuries, Kapampangan writers, historians and poets all wrote about a "lost Kapampangan empire" that was destroyed by the Spaniards upon their conquest of the islands in the 16th century AD (Henson, 1965). Yet the name "Kapampangan" is hard to come by in any pre-Hispanic sources. This is understandable. The Spaniards carved out the province of "La Pampanga" from the former Luzon Empire (張燮, 1617) in 1571 and named it after the Indung Kapampangan river. Only then were the inhabitants of the new colonial province called Kapampangans. Territory
The Luzon Empire (呂宋國, Cantonese: Lǚsòng Kók) (1279-1571 AD) was an ancient empire once located around the Manila Bay region of the Philippines. Its capital was Tondo (東都, Cantonese: Tūngdū). ...

Kapampangan Nationalism

Sun, 03 May 2009 12:34:05 +0100

Just Cause for Kapampangan National Liberation
Maniáuad kayung katalarûan? Ing panugálîng Filipíno? Dápûat é yu kamaláyan na ing ánuaran támu kamatayan! Ing pángasintang ning kekatámung panga-Kapampangan! Ing pamagláû ning kekatámung mal a Indûng Tíbûan! Ing pánga-ípus ning kekatámung dáî!
Nánu ing maging támung kalmâ? Maging táung alâng kaladdua? Maging bangsâng alâng katimauán? Métung a bangsâng mapakiápos? Ing eganagana kekatámu maging dinam, pilálûng sálâ't kapintásan dinam. ...

ヴォイス～命なき ...

Thu, 07 May 2009 03:43:24 +0100

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