109. 12 KAPAMPANGAN MOVIE ACTORS AND THEIR ORIGINAL NAMES

As an actor’s name, Ronald Kookooritchkin seems a tad too long, so the artista wannabe shortened it and became Ronald Remy. Meanwhile, Augusto Valdes Pangan wanted to be a comedian, but his name was anything but funny, so he became known  as “Chiquito”.  In more recent times, the career of aspiring actor Richard Faulkerson Jr  was going nowhere until the studio changed his name to Alden Richards.  See what a name change can do!  Let’s take a look at the original names of Kapampangan movie stars, before they became famous!

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1. BENTOT

Born Arturo Vergara Medina (b.1928/d. 1986) in San Simon, Benton began his showbiz career in 'bodabil' shows. At age 19, he made his first movie under Sampaguita Pictures, "Maria Kafra" (1947) billed as Ben Cosca. He was cast in the radio program, “Sebya, Mahal Kita”, along with Sylvia La Torre and Pugo,  where h used his screen name “Bentot” for the first time. In 1961, "Tang-tarang-tang", a spin-off of "Sebya" started on DZRH, which became so popular , it was turned into a TV series. His “Bitoy” character made him a household name. He remained active through the 70s, passing away in 1986 due to heart failure. His son, Bentot Jr.,also became a comedian.

2. MANUEL CONDE

The son of an Italian mestizo, Dionisio Urbano, and Lucia Pabustan of San Fernando,  Manuel Urbano was born in  Daet, Camarines Norte on 9 Oct. 1915. After high school in 1931, Urbano left for Manila to enroll in engineering at Adamson University, but got sidetracked by the movies, where he worked in production.  After his studies, he joined Marsman & Co., got married,  and moonlit with  Borromeo Lou’s repertory group using the screen name “Manuel Conde”.  He passed up an opportunity to work abroad by assisting Carlos Vander Tolosa  in directing the 1939 film,”Giliw Ko”.  Thus began a directing career highlighted by “Genghis Khan”, a historical costume movie that was accepted to the prestigious Venice Film festival in 1952, where it became a sensation. After his return, he did more LVN hit movies and started the popular “Juan Tamad”film series. Manuel Conde passed away at age 69 on 11 August 1985.

3. APENG DALDAL

This Kapampangan motormouth was born as Serafin Gabriel in San Luis, Pampanga on 12 October 1928. After ditching his job as a cargador in Divisoria, he discovered bod-a-bil, formed a comedy group called “Top Three” which performed at the Manila Opera House. His stage success paved the way for a TV and movie career. His non-top gabbing gave him the name “Apeng Daldal”.  He was third-billed in 1964 production “Magic Bilao” after Rosemarie and Dindo Fernando, which became a certified hit. His next flick,”Walis ni Tenteng”, was an even bigger  blockbuster. Now an A-lister, Apeng Daldal worked nonstop on films  like “Tatlong Mabilis” (1965), “Mistiko Meets Mamaw” (1966), “The Pogi Dozen”(1967), and  “Baticobra at Flying Salakot”(1974). The final decades of his life were spent working in different capacities for TV, radio and films. Afflicted for years with emphysema, he passed away on 9 February 1992.

4. BEN DAVID

Deep-voiced Bienvenido Parungao was the son of Enrique Parungao and Raymunda David, both Kapampangans. He had a deep, baritone voice which led to  jobs in the budding radio industry  of the country. He made his mark on air with his overly dramatic signature quips: “O, hindeeee!” and “Hangaaal!”. He joined DZAQ as announcer in 1966, an apt host for the program,”Ginoong Mananakot”. Taking on “Ben David” as a screen name, he was cast in “Da Best Show”, “Tang-Tarang-Tang” and “Buhay Artista”. Most famous character role: playing Hudas Iscariote to the hilt. He was nominated for a FAMAS Best Supporting Actor for “Alamat ng Sandaigdig” (1961), adapted from a DZAQ radio serial. On TV, David had recurring roles in “Rosemarie-Pepito Show” and “Oras ng Ligaya”. In the 80s, David managed a male entertainment club in Manila, until he passed away.

5. EDDIE DEL MAR

The actor best known for portraying Jose Rizal on the silver screen was born in Candaba on 13 Oct. 1923 as Eduardo Magat, the son of Albino Magat and Benigna Sangalang. During the war, he became a guerilla fighter. A classmate of his, Lucas Usero, introduced him to the Veras of Sampaguita Pictures which led to a screen test with director Gerry de Leon. Passing that, he was introduced as “Eduardo del Mar” in "Kapilya sa May Daang Bakal" starring Oscar Moreno and Tita Duran, where he left quite an impression. When director de Leon began his 1951 hit movie, “Sisa”, he remembered del Mar, and cast him as Crisostomo Ibarra. It was his 1956 film, “Ang Buhay at Pag-ibig ni Dr. Jose Rizal” that would change his showbiz career forever. He essayed the role of the national hero so perfectly that he won the 1956  Best Actor Award. He would make another Rizal movie, the film adaptation of “Noli Me Tangere”, which won “FAMAS Best Film” in 1961. To showcase his versatility in portraying roles of opposing characters, he appeared as the revolutionary hero, Bonifacio, in the 1964 epic, “Andres Bonifacio (Ang Supremo)”. Eddie del Mar died on 8 Nov. 1986,

6. TONY FERRER

Antonio Laxa (born June 12, 1934) of Macabebe went by the screen  name “Tony Ferrer”, and earned the reputation as the Philippine James Bond with his Agent X-44 character. The award winning actor-director was the younger brother of Atty. Espiridion Laxa, of Tagalog Ilang-Ilang Productions. Most of Ferrer’s films were action movies including “Kilabot Sa Barilan “(1960),  Suicide Commandos (1962), and “Marcong Bagsik” (1964), and “Sabotage (1966) where he originated his Tony Falcon persona. He also co- starred with Ramon Revilla in Nardong Putik (1972), Lito Lapid in Back To Back (1979), and  Rey Malonzo in Deadly Fighters (1979). Ferrer was married to   Mutya ng Pilipinas Alice Crisostomo , with whom he had two kids, actress Mutya Crisostomo and Falcon. He has a daughter with actress Imelda Ilanan, Maricel Laxa.

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7. DICK ISRAEL

The movie villain that you love to hate from the ‘70s to the 2000’s,  as  Ricardo Vizcarra Michaca (b. 10 Dec. 1958), the son of a Spanish father and Kapampangan mother from Porac.  As Dick Israel, he found his groove as a kontrabida who made life miserable for many movie heroes and heroines.  He was most active in the 1980s nd 90s where he was either a terrorist, gangster, rapist, sidekick, gunman, mercenary, or a cold-blooded killer in such movies as Misson: Terrorize Panay, Magno Barumbado (1980), Pepeng Shotgum (1981), Sumuko Ka Na, Ronquillo (1983), Dongalo Massacre (1986), Asiong Salonga: Hari ng Tondo , Tapos na ang Lahi Mo, Hadji Djakiri, Anak ni Baby Ama (1990), Alyas Pogi , Shabu Distributor  (1991), The Vizconde Massacre Story (God Help Us!) (1993) and Boy Golden (2013). In later years, he appeared in telenovelas in father and character roles. He was last seen in Channel 2’s “Kung Ako’y Iiwan Mo” in 2012. The multi-awarded Israel passed away unexpectedly on 11 Oct. 2016, months after his house was burned. A week later, wife Marilyn tragically passed away too.

8. COCO MARTIN

Rodel Pacheco Nacianceno (b. 1 Nov. 1981), traces his roots from Lubao, where his father comes from. His screen name, Coco Martin, was borrowed from the surname of ex-Menudo Ricky Martin who was already a famous singer then. While he waited for movie roles, he worked as a waiter. He was planning to work abroad when he was cast in “Masahista”, a gay-themed indie movie that won international acclaim. For his performance, he was given the2006 Young Critics Circle Best Actor Award. Martin became associated with indie films, like “Kinatay”, which gave him a FAMAS nomination for Best Actor. He found wide popularity with his hit TV series “Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin” (2011), and “Walang Hanggan” (2012), for which he was called the "Prince of Philippine TV Series". In  2015, Martin starred in the TV version  of  Fernando Poe Jr.'s film “Ang Probinsyano”. The TV series became a monster hit and continues to this day.

9, 10. PUGAK and TUGAK

Pugak was born in 1924 as Conrado Piring and was the other half of the well-known comedy team “Pugak and Tugak” in the 1950s-1960s. Tugak was played by Perfecto Piñon, from Guagua (b. 10 May 1917) who had to shave his head to match the bald pate of Pugak. Together, they were known for their  60s  slapstick movie spoofs, “Pogi Dozen” (1967), “We Only Live Wa-Is”(1968) and “Crazy 8 at Walong Dyango” (1969).  Theirs was an on-and-off partnership that was many times threated with split-ups, until Tugak called it quits in 1960. Pugak went full-steam ahead as a solo comedian, and dabbled as a director. Pugak is best remembered for his “mukhasim” appearance in the Datu Puti Vinegar,“ 80s commercial. Tugak, on the other hand, became a successfull painter. As Peck Piñon , he had galleries all ver Manila.He moved to the U.S. with his family where he continued painting until his death on 7 Jan. 2006.

11. DANTE RIVERO

The actor formerly known as Luisito Ramos Meyer Jr. was born in 1946, in Floridablanca town. His American mestizo looks were good enough for the movies and in 1966, became an actor. His performance in the 1969 film, “Adriana” gave him a FAMAS Best Actor nomination. LEA Productions signed him up in the film adaptation of  Mars Ravelo’s  popular comic serial ”Wanted: Perfect Mother”. With Boots Anson Roa as his leading lady, and with Lino Brocka directing, Rivero rose to the occasion and bagged another FAMAS nomination for his performance. Another LEA opus, “Villa Miranda” earned him his 3^rd FAMAS nomination. Rivera also dabbled in teevison in his later years and appeared in many ABS-CBN telenovelas. He was also  seen in the 1018 indie film, “Kung Paano Hinihintay ang Dapithapon" (2018), where he gave another sterling performance as an aged man in the twilight of his years.

12. ROI VINZON

Roi Vinzon traces his roots to the David family of Mexico. Christened as Mark Angelo Vinzon (b. 20 Sep, 1953), he took the screen name Roi Vinzon and became a film actor kown for his many action and villain roles like Lucas Abelardo, Adan Lazaro, Baby Paterno, Jesus Salonga alyas Boy Indian, Antonio Cuervo - Police: Walang Pinipili Ang Batas, Kapitan Tumba: The Capt. Jose Huevos Story and Sunugin si Antero Castro. He also took on  the role of Retired General Armando Soriano in the controversial drama. “My Husband's Lover”. Still active on TV and indie films, Vizon keeps a homestead in Mexico.

27. 10 REASONS WHY CHRISTMAS IN PAMPANGA IS UNIQUE

There’s no Christmas like a Pampanga Christmas! It’s the the time of the year when Kapampangans put on their best shows—through their unique religious festivals, quaint customs, unusual traditions—some vanishing, some flourishing—all sublime expressions of a people’s devotion to their faith, and for visitors--all sure to please and awe. Here are reasons why Christmas in Pampanga is unique.

 1. THE SERENATA OF BETIS. On the eve of the barrio fiesta on December 30, three of the best brass bands in Pampanga, including Sasmuan’s Banda 31 and Betis’ own Banda 48, come together in front of the famous Betis Church and perform all the musical pieces they have in their respective repertoires to the delight of the crowd, often lasting until the wee hours. The objective is to outplay, outclass and outlast each other. The band that can play the most number of pieces without repeating is declared winner. Their repertoires consist of arias, fantasies, classical opera pieces from Verdi, Gounod, Rossini, Auber, and Bellini, local folk songs, Christmas songs, Broadway songs, and standards from John Sousa and US military bands, apparently brought here by the Thomasites. Other towns hold their own serenatas, including Angeles City during its fiesta and Sta. Rita during Holy Week ('pasyon serenata'), but it is only in Betis that it is held during the holiday season, making Christmas in Pampanga truly unique.

2. THE KURALDAL OF SASMUAN. Kapampangans dance the kuraldal in Betis, in Apalit, in Macabebe, in Masantol, in Lubao and almost everywhere else, but the biggest, longest and most fervent kuraldal happens in this small fishing town, starting on the feast day of its patron saint, St. Lucy, on Dec. 13, and reaching its climax on Jan. 6 (traditional feast day of the Three Kings) and Jan. 10, when the Christmas season officially ends in Sasmuan. "Kuraldal" is a generic term for devotional dances performed during feast days of saints but the mad dancing and gyrating done by devotees in Sasmuan would make Obando and Sinulog seem like innocent grade-school folk dances. Dancers shout "Viva Apu Lucia! Puera sakit (Away with illness)!" Barren mothers are often said to conceive after dancing the kuraldal. Apparently the tradition dates back to pre-Hispanic times, probably around a prehistoric pagan god now lost and replaced by a Catholic saint, because Spanish chronicler Gaspar de Sa Agustin wrote that the image of St. Lucy had been venerated in Sasmuan “since long ago”--and he wrote that in 1698!

3. THE PASTORELA OF MABALACAT. During the nine-day simbang bengi, the parish choir of this town performs the Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Agnus Dei and other parts of the Mass like no other choir does—with operatic flourish and high drama complete with violins. The songs are collectively called ‘pastorela’ (from Misa de Pastorela, Mass of the Shepherds) supposedly brought from Spain during colonial times but adopted by local musicians who made them more spectacular and melodramatic, I suspect to keep drowsy Mass-goers entertained. The Spanish friars collaborated with our ancestors to come up with all sorts of gimmicks to make church services worthy alternatives to their folk practices. Thus, they created lubenas, sabat santacruzan, salubong, tanggal, kuraldal, libad, and of course, pastorela. The Misa de Pastorela is still done in Spain, Portugal and Mexico, where it is sometimes called Misa de los Pastores (Mass of the Shepherds) and Misa de Gallo (Rooster's Mass), but here in the Philippines, there's only one parish left where they still sing the pastorela: the Our Lady of Grace Parish in Mabalacat City. Catch the pastorela before they vanish!

4. MAJIGANGGAS OF STA. ANA. The more well-known Higante Festival in Angono has a counterpart in Sta. Ana town of Pampanga known as Majigangga. Giant human puppets representing dark, evil-looking people take to the streets and revel with the residents in the church patio, from Dec. 16 to Christmas Day, when they are supposedly banished by Christ’s birth. The unique tradition was derived from Mexico, which had a form of street pageant called “mojigangga” , which, in turn was adapted from medieval Spain. Kapampangans however, used the puppets as symbols of evil, unlike in Mexico where they represented saints and royal figures. The tradition has been kept alive mostly by the family and friends of the late Jacinto Quiambao, as well as by the town's cultural advocates who see the majiganggas as a valuable tradition that expresses the townspeople's folk religiosity. The giants trail the lubenas (lantern procession) and perform in the church patio, drawing children and adults alike closer to the church where the simbang bengi is held.

5. THE GIANT LANTERNS OF SAN FERNANDO. The term deserves to be in capital letters because these humongous wheels of rotating lights, like UFO mother ships descending from the night sky, are truly world-class. Their sheer size (average 20 feet) , design, and the precision with which the kaleidoscope of colors dances (lit by 5,000 bulbs)-- you'd think they were assembled by a well-financed army of engineers, electricians, artists, computer technicians and programmers, but in reality, the lanterns are only put together in a backyard in some barrio in San Fernando, by a ragtag team of local craftsmen and artisans, using hairpins, masking tape, and a spaghetti tangle of wires connected to tin drums mounted on a six-by-six truck. Someone rotates these drums with a wheel to the tune of Christmas carols. Every December, these Giant Lanterns turn San Fernando into a dazzling city of lights, as they vie for several titles at the Giant Lantern festival. The “ligligan parul’ was said to have started in San Fernando in 1904 or 1908, following the transfer of the provincial capital from Bacolor to the town, and grew to spectacular proportions with the introduction of electricity in 1931.

6. MAYTINIS. Traditional 9-day processions in Pampanga are called “lubenas” (corrupted from “novena”) , held from Dec. 16 to Dec. 24. “Lubenas” happens in Angeles, San Fernando, Mexico and Magalang, but the Christmas Eve event held in Mabalacat is most elaborate. Called “Maytinis”, (derived from “matins”, early evening prayers), it is marked with the spectacular procession of holy images—patrons of every barangay, accompanied by colorfully lit lanterns or parul of the most amazing variety. Village choirs singing “Dios te Salve” accompany the faithful as they wend their way through the main streets of the town and back to the courtyard of the church. Barangays try to outdo each other in decorating the carrozas and in designing the electrified lanterns that are borne on bamboo poles. After the midnight mass, citations are given to the barangay with the most representation, best lantern, best choir, and most prayerful.

7. THE ANIMATED FISH LANTERNS OF ANGELES. Everyone is familiar with the star-shaped lantern that symbolized the bright star that guided the Magis and shepherds to the stable where Jesus was born. But there existed other lanterns shapes that were processioned in Angeles during Christmas time. Local historian Mariano Angeles recorded such event in 1830 when a procession featured “quaint, illuminated lanterns made of the same material (bamboo and paper), depicting aquatic animals, in skillful and artistic imitation of the real ones. The big paper fishes and lobsters, by means of ingenious contrivances, are made to move their dorsal andcaudal fins, their mouths, and their eyes”. The Fish, is of course, a symbol of Christ, and the lanternsserved as added attractions to the religious processions. Only a few barangays in Angeles still have the fish lantern in prusisyons, as the last maker of such lanterns, Eulogio Catahan (Apung Eloy) have since passed away in late 2012.

8. THE HANDMADE CHRISTMAS TOYS OF GUAGUA. In old Guagua, children received Christmas toys not from fancy shops but handcrafted for the occasion by loving fathers, uncles and brothers. This folk art was still thriving in the early 1950s. A 1953 magazine account describes the toys thus: “These are the animal pull toys that were fashioned from bamboo and wire. The skeleton frame was then covered with thin, white “papel de japon”. They were mounted on 4-wheeled wooden platforms, and were so constructed that at every turn of the wheels, parts of their bodies moved and simulated an action peculiar to the animal they represented”. The animals chosen were often culled from the figures present at the birth of Jesus—lambs, cows, doves—as well as domesticated ones like dogs, cats, carabaos. Ingeniously made, the chickens flapped their wings, the cats played with their balls of thread, and dogs crouched and leaped as they were pulled on the town streets at night, lit with candles. The children with their glowing toys head for the church with their parents for the traditional mass. “It seemed”, waxed one Guagua resident recalling the scene, “as if all mankind and all the creatures of the earth were going again to the manger to worship at the feet of the Prince of Peace”. 

9. PANUNULUYAN. Biblical dramatizations were often enacted to teach catechism and caton during the Spanish times. Thus, the Panunuluyan, adapted from  “las posadas” of Mexico, a novenario performed on the 9 days before Christmas. It is known in the Tagalog region, but Pampanga has its versions too. The Panunuluyan dramatizes the search for lodging of the Holy Couple, Jose and the very pregnant Maria. Originally, the images of the two, atop decorated carrozas, are processioned on Christmas eve and taken from house to house, in re-enactment of that event in Bethlehem.  Eventually, real people, instead of santos, were cast to assume the roles of Jose and Maria, almost always respectable citizens of the town. The cast expanded to include the 3 Magis, Melchor, Gaspar and Baltazar and even a Narrator and a Koro, a Chorus of singers who sang and delivered verses for the Holy Couple. Only a few towns like Sta. Rita and Arayat now stage this playlet every year, but sometimes done in the church  grounds—no longer on the streets.

10. PAMANGAN PASKU! From the 'duman' whose harvest in early November coincides with the countdown to Christmas, to the 'tsokolati king batirul' and the 'panara' which mass goers coming home from the 'simbang bengi' take for breakfast. It is during Christmas when the dining table is most heavily laden with a cornucopia of the best that the Kapampangan culinary tradition can offer--galantina, bringhe, asado, escabeche, estofado, afritada, mechado, menudo, azucena, pochero, relleno, morcon, lengua, etc.--and the delicacies that only Kapampangans can make—turrones, sans rival, pastillas de leche, tibuk tibuk, pepalto, yemas, sanikulas, empanada, ensaimada, bobotu, pulburun, leche flan, silvana, espasol, araru, putu seco, ale ubi, bibingkang nasi, calame ubi, calame biko, sampelut, inangit, galang galang, putu lazon, kutsinta, suman tili, suman bulagta, suman ebus, patupat, alualu (Kabigting style, Corazon style, Razon style, you name it), pionono, tocino del cielo, samani, bangka bangka, batya batya, bucarillo, putung babi, taisan, plantadilla, rosquetes, mayumung kamias, mayumung kamatis, brazo de la reina, etc. There's even a street food called 'patcu' which is a corruption of 'pascu' and 'lagang pasku' which your mother cooks only this time of year when the Chinese ham is available.

BONUS:

AGUMAN SANDUK OF MINALIN Technically, the Aguman Sanduk is not part of the Christmas festivities. But its celebration takes place within the holiday period-- on January 1 afternoon, while the country takes a rest after welcoming the New Year. Since its conception in 1934, the menfolk of Minalin have participated in the most flamboyantly freakish parade ever seen—the Aguman Sanduk (Fellowship of the Ladle) . On this day, they dab rouge and lipstick on their faces, put on their wives’ or sisters’ dresses and join others dressed similarly in a riotous street parade. The tradition started as a dare among men 80 years ago while on a drinking binge—to prove their machismo and as a liberation from repression. The only difference is that the particpants are all straight males and boys. The culmination of Pampanga’s zaniest festival is the selection and coronation of the ugliest cross-dresser, the Reyna ning Aguman Sanduk, where, she is given a ladle as a scepter.

 SOURCES: 
Adapted from“Why Christmas in Pampanga is Unique?” by Robby P. Tantingco, originally posted on his facebook page. 6 Dec. 2013. With additional notes by Alex Castro 
 “Folk Festivals”, Singsing Magazine, Vol. 1, No. 4, p. 5 
 Singsing Magazine, “Pampanga’s Folk Arts” Vol. 5. Nol. 1. Center for Kapampangan Studies, Holy Angel University. 
Henson, Mariano A., “A Brief History of the Town of Angeles”, ©1948, revised edition, 2003. 

Photo Sources: 
Serenata: Punto Central Luzon/ Kuraldal, Aguman Sanduk: Headline Gitnang Luzon/ 
Pastorela/Christmas Toys: Alex Castro/ Majinganggas, Pamangan Pasku: RPT / 
Giant Lanterns: Ivan Henares/ Maytinis: Jude Belnas photo
Fish Lanterns: Singsing Magazine/ Panunuluyan: Sta. Rita de Cascia Parish FB page.

19. ALL ABOUT ASU’T PUSA: A LIST OF EXPRESSIONS, SAYINGS & BELIEFS.

Cats and dogs are often pictured as mortal enemies, but to Kapampangans, they live a happy co-existence in our homes and hearth. In all kinds of weather, “Tagpi” and “Muning” will stay by you and reward you with loyalty. Beaten, bruised or starved, they will continue to come home. More than just pets, dogs and cats— askals or Afghan hounds, pusang layas or Persians-- will remain faithful companions, quick to defend, easy to please. They not only enrich our lives with their presence, but they have also contributed to our folklore and traditions with all sorts of expressions, sayings and folk beliefs with reference to our furry friends!

1. MAMULANG ASU (Mad dog).
An expression to describe someone who has gone off his rockers, complete with bloodshot eyes and frothing, snarling mouth.
2. IPAN ASU (Dog Teeth ).
A term to describe the filed and blackened teeth, that resembled canine teeth. Having such pointed was considered a mark of beauty.
3. DAYANG ASU (Having the blood of dogs, dugong-aso”).
A pejorative term used to describe Kapampangans as dog-blooded—traitors of their own race. This is in reference to that time in our history when Kapampangans were aiding Spaniards and Americans in their campaigns against Filipinos, capped by the capture of Aguinaldo with the help of Macabebe soldiers.
4. ASO-ASO. 
A dog collar outfitted with bells. It also refers to a similar noisemaker tied to a dog’s tail, when one was in a playful mood.
5. MANGASU. To go hunting, using dogs.
6. BULBUL ASU, BULBUL PUSA (A dog's fur, a cat's fur).
Refers to a hodgepodge of things that should not be mixed in the first place, or trouble will follow.
7. MIPATE ASO'T PUSA.
To fight like cats and dogs.

 1. ING ASUNG MAMALUKTUT, BUTUL MAN E MAKAPULUT. (A dog that curls up, will not find a bone) .
Lazy people will not find any opportunities
 2. ING ASUNG KAKAUNG, BIHIRA YANG MANGET. (A barking dog, seldom bites).
People who threaten you, or say they will do something bad to you, seldom take action.
3. ALANG ASUNG KINAUNG A E RA KEUNGAN, ALANG MEILI A ERA KEILIAN. (No dog barks unless barked at; no one smiles, unless smiled at first).
People do not react, unless they are provoked.

1. A dog is said to become fiercer if he is tied. 
2. An open wound can be disinfected with a dog lick (which unfortunately was not the case with actor Fernando Poe Sr., who died of rabies after being infected in this manner by his pup). 
3. It is believed that dogs can tell if a person has eaten ‘azucena’ (aso + cena = dog dinner) through a snarl or a growl.
4. The howling of a dog foretells something ominous, like death and misfortune.

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1. LUPANG MUSANG (Face of a civet cat).
A civet cat is noted for its untidiness, so when someone describes as “lupa kang musang”, it means you have a dirty face.
2. MANGUSANG (meowling like a civet) 
The same breed of cat also gave us the word “mangusang”, (variation: mausang), which means to have an asthma attack, in reference to the cat-like gasps and wheezes an asthmatic emits.
3. PUSA LAMPUNG. 
When in heat, cats can often behave in a wild, crazed and noisy manner during their mating ritual, hence the term, “pusa lampung”. An early definition of “lampong” as collected by Bergaño is “to smash or break plates or tiles in a hearth”. Could that refer to the cat’s ear-breaking wails while in the throes of passion? ”. It is also interesting to point out that there is a Lampung province in Indonesia—could it be that a cat was a bred there and came to this country via the land bridges as a feral cat? The term “lampung” has come to mean making flirtatious, sexual moves between a man and a woman, as in “makipaglampungan”.
 4. MARIMLA YA PA KENG ARUNG NING PUSA (Colder than a cat’s nose). 
An expression to describe a state that is colder than the ordinary, for example, when one touches a dead person, his temperature will be described as “marimla ya pa keng arung ning pusa.” 

 1. NANAN ME MAN ING PUSA, SUCLAB YA LALAM DULANG. (No matter what you do to a cat, it always gets under a table).
Refers to the unique behavior of the animal to attach itself to a place, rather than to a person. Figuratively, it is also a reference to the natural attachment of Kapampangans to their native land.
 2. ING PUSANG MEPALI NA, MARIMLA MAN TATAKUT YA. (A scalded cat is afraid even of cold water). 
Someone who has known pain or danger, will be wary of anything.
 3. PUSA MANGANAK YANG KUTING, DAGUL YA, PUSA YA RIN. ( A cat who gives birth to kittens, will grow up as cats). 
Parents beget children who will grow up, in many ways, like them.
 4. ING PUSANG MAMALUKTUT, DUI MAN E MAKAPULUT. (A cat who just curls up, will not find a single fishbone). 

1. A cat standing by the front door portents the arrival of a visitor 
2. A cat wiping his face (“manimu ya”) forewarns of rains. 
3. It is believed that a fishbone in one’s throat can be unstuck by brushing a cat’s paw across one’s throat. 
4. Allowing a cat to lick off one's plate will bring good luck.
5. A person who kills a cat will become a pauper.