18. 10 KAPAMPANGAN WORDS WITH CHINESE ORIGINS

ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR: 
PAPA OSMUBAL(aka Oscar Balajadia) of Magalang, is a poet-artist residing in Macau-SAR, China. A graduate of Holy Angel University,  he has an MA in English Studies from the University of Macau (Highest Honor),and  a post-graduate diploma in education from Universidade de Sao Jose (Highest Honor) As an artist, he has an interest in occidental calligraphy, and has done many solo art exhibits. His writings have appeared in various anthologies and publications, online and hard copy, most recently in Subtle Tea, The Houston Literary Review, Poor Mojo's Almanac, Bulatlat and The Cortland Review. Author of the book series on the roots of Kapampangan language, O Jo Nu'Ca Menibat. A forthcoming book , "Capampangan Roots: Primitive Words and Syllables from Polynesian-Austronesian, Sanskrit, Chinese and Bahasa Languages as Roots of the Capampangan Language" will be published by the Center for Kapampangan Studies.

17. 10 KAPAMPANGANS THE NATION FORGOT

How sad indeed that aside from Jose Abad Santos, most Filipinos cannot name another Kapampangan who deserves to be in the nation’s pantheon of heroes and patriots.The reason for this ignorance is Manila’s control over national history—the same control it has on national language and, unfortunately, pretty much everything else. Nothing in this country ever gets national attention or national recognition unless Manila says so.

Because Manila is a Tagalog city dictating its Tagalog identity on the rest of the nation, we are made, for example, to read all 377 stanzas of 'Florante at Laura' and not even one stanza from the equally great 'Gonzalo de Cordoba,' the country’s longest literary work written by a Kapampangan.

We are also required to know the name of practically every Caviteño, Bulakenyo and Batangueño who ever fought in the Revolution, while all the equally heroic Kapampangans, Ilocanos, Cebuanos, etc. are completely ignored.

If there’s any justice in this country, these 10 Kapampangans must have their statues erected in parks all over the country and their names written in history books:

1. PEDRO ABAD SANTOS, the Socialist Party founder who inspired an entire generation of peasants and laborers to claim the land they tilled and the just wages they earned. He influenced his younger brother Jose to become a more pro-poor Justice Secretary and Chief Justice, and pressured his brother’s boss, President Manuel Quezon, to initiate land reform. Because Jose later died a glorious martyr’s death and Pedro only died from a bleeding ulcer, we have streets, schools and hospitals across the country named after Jose, while all that Pedro got is a small statue in his hometown.

2. BAMBALITO (a.k.a. Tarik Soliman), the Macabebe chieftain who rallied thousands of Macabebe warriors to Tondo to resist Miguel Lopez de Legazpi in 1571. Abandoned by Tagalog leaders Lacandula, Rajah Matanda and Rajah Soliman, he faced the Spanish conquistadores alone at the critical Battle of Bangkusay. His death sealed the fate of the country, and yet who remembers him except us Kapampangans? Worse, Manila credits the Tagalog Rajah Soliman as the hero of Bangkusay (he wasn’t even there). It was only in June 2016 that the National Historic Commission (NHCP) officially corrected the longtime claim that Rajah Soliman was the first native to die for freedom--but this this young warrior--now honored with a commemorative marker in Macabebe.

3. MARTIN SANCHO, the 10-year-old Kapampangan prodigy who was shipped to Spain in 1587 to recite the entire Catholic Catechism (in Latin!) before King Philip II. His performance convinced the King that the natives he imagined to be savages were actually as erudite as Europeans, and that the colony he was ready to quit was after all worth keeping. After creating a sensation in Madrid, Martin next went to Rome where he studied and eventually became the first Filipino Jesuit. Yet he only merited a tiny footnote in Jesuit annals and no mention at all in history books.

4. REMEDIOS GOMEZ, the Huk soldier known as Kumander Liwayway who polished her nails and wore makeup before going to battle. Her feminine ways amused and sometimes irritated her comrades, but she proved that a woman didn’t have to act like a man to fight like a man. Her courage made Huk Supremo Luis Taruc declare that “the role of women was one of the proudest features of the Hukbalahap.” When President Manuel Roxas scolded her after her capture, she told him “You are wrong, Mr. President” to his face. Filipinos romanticize to death the stories of Nelia Sancho, Maita Gomez and other beauty queens-turned-dissidents, yet don’t even know or care that Kumander Liwayway is still alive and living in Metro-Manila.*

5. FELIPE SONSONG, the Macabebe soldier-turned-missionary whose reputation for holiness eclipsed that of mission leader Fr. Diego Sanvitores, SJ and mission companion Pedro Calungsod, and prompted a contemporary, Fr. Lorenzo Bustillo, SJ, to write a detailed account of Sonsong’s life—so detailed that historian Fr. John Schumacher, SJ called Sonsong the most documented Filipino before the time of Jose Rizal. When he died (in 1685), the top civilian and military officials of the Ladrones islands (Guam) carried his casket to the cemetery. Sanvitores has since been beatified and Calungsod canonized, but Sonsong’s own cause for beatification is still neither here nor there.

6. ZOILO GALANG, who holds not one, not two, but three Philippine records: he wrote the country’s first English novel (in 1921), the country’s first book of English poems (in 1925) and the country’s first encyclopedia (in 1934). Galang wrote the novel 'A Child of Sorrow' three years before Paz Marquez Benitez wrote the short story 'Dead Stars,' and yet all textbooks in Philippine Literature in English begin with Benitez and 'Dead Stars.'

7. LUISA GONZAGA DE LEON, the first Filipino woman to author a book (in 1844). This country has honored every woman who pioneered something, including first Filipina admitted to Harvard, first Filipina Ph.D., first Filipina scientist, etc. Gonzaga de Leon wrote a book at a time when most women didn’t even read books, so it’s puzzling why the nation shows no appreciation for this Kapampangan woman’s extraordinary accomplishment.

8. THE MALAYA LOLAS of Mapaniqui, Candaba, all 100 of them, raped all night by Japanese soldiers when they were still young girls and forced to witness the massacre of their husbands and fathers—a story more horrific than anything to ever come out of World War II. And yet the nation has paid more attention to other comfort women with far less compelling stories to tell.

9. PEDRO DANGANAN, the miracle worker from Sapangbato who became such a national celebrity in the 1930s that pilgrims from as far as Ilocos and Bicol flocked to his house by the thousands, sometimes hiding under the 'batalan' to catch his bath water which they believed to be miraculous. Estampitas bearing his image were sold outside churches, while newspapers carried news stories proclaiming that he was “gumagamot nang walang gamot at walang bayad.” It’s amazing how a country obsessed with faith healers and visionaries, from Felipe Salvador to Jun Labo to Judiel Nieva, would have absolutely no memory of this enigmatic Kapampangan.

10. VOLUNTARIOS DE MACABEBE, not the better-known Macabebe Scouts of the American Period, but their earlier version in the Spanish Period, who helped the Spaniards stretch their colonial rule to 300 years, for better or for worse. Even Gen. William Draper of the invading British Navy in 1762 was in awe of their ferocity and military skills. Their do-or-die defense of the fleeing Spaniards so angered Gen. Aguinaldo that he had the whole town burned to the ground. By the time the Americans took over, the Voluntarios were ready to morph into the Scouts to avenge their fate. Today the Scouts are the stuff of debates and movies, while the Voluntarios, whom the Spaniards fondly described as “the loyal companions of our disgraces and glories,” only had a street named after them—and it’s not even here in the Philippines.

*Remedios Gomez died after the article was first published, in May 2014, at age 95.

SOURCE:

ROBBY TANTINGCO, originally published 2014, posted on his FB Notes, 11 November 2015

16. 14 VINTAGE FILMS WITH KAPAMPANGAN THEMES

Long before the triumphs of recent films with distinct Kapampangan themes like Brillante Mendoza’s “Kaleldo” (Summer Heat, 2006) ,Jason Paul Laxamana’s “Magkakabaung” (The Coffin Maker, 2014),  Bor Ocampo’s “Dayang Asu” (Dog Nation, 2015) and Carlo Enciso Catu’s “ARI: My Life with a King” (2015), there were a few  films that dealt with matters of Kapampangan interest. Here are a few of them from the post-war era to the 1980s period:

The Golden Years:Memorable Tagalog Ads, 1946-56.
from the collection of Danny Dolor.

1. CAPAS (1949)
Plot: An action picture set during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines. The story centers around characters that survived the infamous 'Death March' in Bataan, and ended up in a concentration camp in Tarlac, Camp O'Donell.

Cast:  Leopoldo Salcedo, Celia Flor, Teody Belarmino, Inday Jalandoni, Nela Alvarez, Tony Santos Sr., Jose Cris Soto, Oscar Obligacion

Directed by: Dr. Gregorio Fernandez

The Golden Years: Memorable Tagalog Ads, 1946-56.
from the collection of Danny Dolor.

2. CANDABA (1950).

Plot: Action-drama film about agrarian conflict in a Huk-infested Pampanga town.

Cast: Tessie Quintana, Teody Belarmino, Tony Santos, Lila Luna

Directed by: Dr. Gregorio Fernandez

The Golden Years: Memorable Tagalog Ads, 1946-56.
from the collection of Danny Dolor.

3. HUK SA BAGONG PAMUMUHAY (1953)

Plot: Based on the DZFM radio drama serial and produced by LVN Pictures to aid the government's propaganda effort against the spread of communism in the country. It is the story of Carding, the anti-Japanese guerrilla turned Huk when his family's land is taken over by the greedy landlord.

Cast: Jose Padilla Jr., Celia Flor, Leroy Salvador Jr., Joseph de Cordova

Directed by: Lamberto V. Avellana

Picture: VIDEO 48http://video48.blogspot.com

4. MARIANG SINUKUAN (1955)

Plot: An LVN fantasy-romance picture based on the age-old legend of the mysterious Arayat maiden, Mariang Sinukuan of Arayat, who is pursued by a mortal.

Cast: Mario Montenegro, Cecila Lopez, Milagros Naval

Directed by: Richard Abelardo

The Golden Years: Memorable Tagalog Ads, 1946-56.
from the collection of Danny Dolor.

5. PAMPANGGENYA (1956)

Plot: A professor teaches a Kapampangan lady lilting “Mekeni”melodies in a comedy-drama that will captivate your hearts.

Cast: Rogelio de la Rosa, Luis Gonzales, Linda Estrella, Barbara Perez, Dolphy

Directed by: Jose de Villa

6. MEKENI, ABE (1959)

Plot: A Kapampangan, a Batangueño and a Visayan throw in the riots in this romantic comedy.

Cast: Zsaldy Zshornack, Lauro Delgado, lani Oteyza, Chiquito

Directed by: Nemesio E. Caravana

Source: www.video48.blogspot.com

7. MEKENI’S GOLD (1969)

Plot: The title is taken from the movie western, “McKenna’s Gold”, starring Gregory Peck and Omar Sharif. This spoof comedy centers on the search for the elusive “Mekeni’s Gold”.

Cast: Dolphy, Panchito, Rod Navarro, Verna Gaston, Rosanna Marquez

Directed by: Luis San Juan

Pix of Ramon Revilla: www.waytofamous.com

8. LEON NG CENTRAL LUZON (1980)

Plot: A an action-packed biopic of military man, Major Diosdado De Leon, who actively defended the region from NPA attacks.

Cast: Ramon Revilla, Boots Anson-Roa, Rez Cortez

Directed by: Leonardo Garcia

Source: www.pelikulatabp.blogspot.com

9. KUMANDER ALIBASBAS (1981)

Plot: Based on the true-to-life story of Cesario Manarang, no. 3 man in the Huk hierarchy, from Concepcion, Tarlac.

Cast: Joseph Estrada, Perla Bautista, Suzette Ranillo, Paquito Diaz, Dave Brodette

Directed by: Augusto “Totoy” Buenaventura

10. PEDRING TARUC (1982)

Plot: Biopic of the Huk leader, Pedro Taruc. The showing of this movie was bocked by the Marcos regime,citing that no outlaw should be made into a hero for a film.

Cast: Joseph Estrada, Ronaldo Valdez

Directed by: Augusto “Totoy” Buenaventura

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ym-b2xl1QMg

Apr 13, 2015 - Uploaded by tarptart

11. KILABOT NG PAMPANGA (1984)

Plot: Agrarian unrest, exploitation of peasants by greedy landlords.

Cast: Alex de Leon, Laarni Enriquez, Nina Sara, Charlie Davao, Myra Manibog, zandro Zamora, Nick Romano

Directed by: Dante Pangilinan

Source: www.pinterest.com

12. VIRGIN FOREST (1985)

Plot: The movie is set during the Philippine Republic. Macabebe soldiers are trying to capture Aguinaldo. Alfonisto and Chayong are caught up in this pursuit and in a love triangle. In the end, Aguinaldo is captured and the Macabebe soldiers are killed.

Cast: Sarsi Emmanuel, Miguel Rodriguez

Directed by: Peque Gallaga

13. MARUSO, ROBIN HOOD NG ANGELES (1987)

Plot: Romeo Maruso, the notorious burglar of Angeles City, robs the rich to help the poor. Always eluding the authorities, the slippery Maruso always left clues of his crime like unwashed plates and food leftovers—as he always ate in the home he broke into.  

Cast: Lito Lapid, George Estregan, Angela Perez, Charlie Davao, Romy Diaz

Directed by: Augusto “Totoy”  Buenaventura

14. KUMANDER DANTE (1988)

Plot: Biopic of Bernabe Buscayno, leader and founder of the New People’s Army (NPA).

Cast: Philip Salvador, Laarni Enriquez, Paquito Diaz

Directed by: Ben Yalung

EXTRA:

www.movieposter.com, "Huk", 1956

HUK (1956)

Plot: This U.S.-made movie tells of an American’s return to the Philippines to sell his dead father's plantation, which he soon discovers, has been overrun by Huks,  one of whom was the rebel leader who killed his father. One of the characters in the movie bears a distinct Kapampangan surname, Major Balatbat (which  means “assault’ or ‘attack’), played by Filipino actor, Teddy Benavidez.

Cast: George Montgomery, Mona Freeman, Cindy Rogers, John Baer, Teddy Benavidez, Ben Perez Directed by: John Barnwell            

15. 7 LOST KAPAMPANGAN SKILLS

1. BOAT-MAKING. 

River-dwelling Kapampangans descended from sea-faring Austronesians, and indeed the large adze that H. Otley Beyer found in Candaba in the 1930s proves our ancestors were already carving boats out of tree trunks as early as 3000 B.C. (same time the Egyptians were building the great pyramids). Ancient Kapampangans called these adzes "daras" and sometimes "ipan alti" (lightning tooth) because they looked like large incisors.

2. SHIP-BUILDING. 

The Spaniards put this Kapampangan skill to good use by taking farmers off farmlands and forcing them to build galleons in the Cavite shipyards. It resulted in famine and led to the Kapampangan Revolt of 1660. The old Kapampangan word for ship is "daung" (“dauit,” on the other hand, means “to build a ship”). Part of the Guagua-Pasak River is called Dalan Bapor because ships regularly picked up cargo from a cannery in Guagua. In Pampanga River, ships picked up passengers from towns like Mexico and Apalit (one-way ticket to Manila cost P2.50 in 1880).

3. TOBACCO. 

Kapampangans once cultivated tobacco, particularly in Magalang. The seat of the Tobacco Monopoly in Central Luzon was Gapan, which was once part of Pampanga. The ancient Kapampangan word “makipanungi” referred to someone who worked for pay by stringing up tobacco leaves.

4. WEAVING. 

Our ancestors wove their own clothes from “bulac” (cotton), which they separated into “puyud” (a bundle of cotton prior to spinning), using “cabid” (a measure of cotton). The old Kapampangan verb for spinning cotton is “sulad,” which is why we have the word “sinulad” (thread).

5. DYEING. 

Ancient Kapampangans dyed their everyday clothes blue (white was for special occasions), using extract from the indigo bush called “tayum” (the place Tayuman in Tondo was named after this Kapampangan word). To prevent dyed clothes from fading during laundry, they put “balatung” (mongo seeds) in the water. To remove stains, they cut “balimbing” (or “ternate,” star fruit) and rubbed it on stained clothes.

6. WINE-MAKING. 

Our ancestors took advantage of the nipa palms lining the rivers by extracting juice and turning it into “tuba.” Wine harvesters were called “manuba.” When fermented, this wine became the fragrant vinegar called “aslam sasa.”

7. POTTERY. 

Our rich vocabulary of pottery words indicates the level of sophistication that the industry has reached, most likely since prehistoric times. Kapampangans are able to differentiate a “banga” (water pot) from “kuran” (rice pot) and “balanga” (viand pot). The industry started in the Sto. Tomas-Apalit area, and it’s still there. Pottery was such an important business that at least two capital towns in the ancient Kapampangan Region had names pertaining to pottery: Balanga in Bataan and Iba in Zambales (“iba” in Kapampangan means earthen pot). A barrio in Mabalacat also used to be called Iba.

Sources:
Originally published by Robby P. Tantingco in his FB Notes page.

Ship-building: Filipinas Heritage, vol. 3

Negrito outrigger: www.eastbound88.com

Early Phil. ship: www.aenet.org

Barong Tagalog: www.pinterest.com

Cigar Maker: www.philippinehistory.org

Singsing Magazine, Center for Kapampangan Stduies