The province of Pampanga is traditional homeland of the Kapampangans. Once occupying a vast stretch of land that extended from Tondo[1] to the rest of Central Luzon, huge chunks of territories were carved out of Pampanga so as to create the provinces of Bulacan, Bataan, Nueva Ecija, Aurora and Tarlac.As a result, Kapampangans now populate a region that extends beyond the political boundaries of the small province of Pampanga. In the province of Tarlac, the indigenous population of Tarlac City and the municipalities of Bamban, Capas and Concepcion are Kapampangans, while the municipalities of Victoria, La Paz, [have a considerable Kapampangan population. In Bataan, Kapampangans populate the municipilaties of Dinalupihan and Hermosa, and the barangays of Mabatang in Abucay and Calaguiman in Samal. Kapampangans can be found scattered all across the southern barrios of Cabiao in the province of Nueva Ecija and in the western section of the province of Bulacan. Kapampangan enclaves still exist in Tondo and other parts of the National Capital Region. Kapampangans have also migrated to Mindoro, Palawan and Mindanao and have formed strong Kapampangan organizations called aguman in Davao City and General Santos City. Agumans based in the United States and Canada are currently active in the revival of the Kapampangan language and culture.The Kapampangans have produced many Rajahs, Datus, three Philippine presidents, three chief justices, a senate president, the first Filipino cardinal, one Huk Supremo, many Huk Commanders and NPA cadres and many personalities in public service, education, diplomacy, journalism, the arts and sciences, entertainment and business.
History:
The oldest artifact ever found in the Province of Pampanga is a 5000-year-old stone adze found in Candaba. It is said to be a tool used in building boats. Earthenware and trade ware dating back to 1500 BC have also been found in Candaba and Porac.
Before the arrival of the Spaniards in the late 16th century, the Kapampangan people made up the bulk of the population of what the Ming Dynasty texts referred to as the Luzon Empire (traditional Chinese: pinyin: Lǚsòng Guó) or "The Lesser Song Empire". Their rulers were recognized by Chinese historians as kings and not mere chieftains. They penetrated the Chinese market at a time when the Ming Dynasty banned all foreign trade and so profited immensely from it. Although 16th century Kapampangan society reflected most of what was prevalent in Southeast Asia, small communities made up chiefly of the same clans ruled by a council of elders, certain communities rose up to become centers of trade and power. Noted among these are the ancient states of Tondo (traditional Chinese: pinyin: dōngdū) or the "Eastern Capital", Lubao and Betis.
Extensive farming and fishing were the main industries of the Kapampangan people. But at the height of the Luzon Empire's importance in the China trade in the 16th century, maritime trading, and perhaps even piracy, became the main source of profit. As one of the Luções (people of Luzon), many Kapampangans worked as mercenaries for the various states and kingdoms in Southeast Asia. The Luzon Empire became such an important center in Chinese trade that the Kingdom of Brunei was forced to invade it in 1500. The city of Manila was created by the Burneians to oversee the trade in Brunei's interest. Japanese records show that important traders like Luzon Sukezaemon and Shimai Soshitsu opened up shop in Luzon. At a time when the Ming Dynasty banned its citizens from going out of China, the Kapampangan traders from Luzon who brought Chinese goods all across Southeast Asia were thought of as Chinese.As late as the 17th centuries, the Sultanate of Sulu still commissioned Kapampangans to act as trade ambassadors to China.
The Kapampangan people sense of self-importance must have risen in direct proportion to the Luzon Empire's growth and rise to prominence in the 16th century China trade. This development might have helped shape the Kapampangan people's attitude and the way that they were perceived historically by other ethnic groups.
Kapampangans have played a dynamic yet conflicting role in Philippine history. It was the Kapampangans of Macabebe who were the first to defend the Luzon Empire from Spanish domination in 1571. Yet it was the Kapampangans that the Spaniards relied on to defend their new colony from the Dutch. It was at this time that "one Castillan plus three Kapampangans" were considered as "four Castillans" as long they gallantly served in the colonial armed forces.After their successful battle against the Dutch in 1640, only Kapampangans were allowed to study side by side with the Spaniards in exclusive Spanish academies and universities in Manila, by order of Governor-General Sebastián Hurtado de Corcuera. In 1896, Kapampangans were one of the principal ethnic groups to spearhead the Philippine revolution against Spain. Yet it was also the Kapampangans of Macabebe that fiercely defended the last Spanish garrison against the revolutionaries.
Culture & Cuisine
Though many Kapampangans remain devout Roman Catholics, their religious festivals display an indigenous flavor unique only to the Kapampangan people. Consider the Curaldal or "street dancing" that accompany the Feast of Santa Lucia in Sasmuan or the Aguman Sanduk were men cross-dress as women to welcome the New Year in Minalin. The Batalla Festival to reenact the battle between the native MOOR or MUSLIM and the new colonist Native Capampangan Cristian. the battle between the two religious native Kapampangan, in history they start the battle in "Ugtung-aldo" or Afternoon and they ended it in "Sisilim" or Sunset so the Procession Start in The Afternoon and End it on Sunset W/ the tune of what Macabebeanon and Masantuleñios called BATTALA Masantol, Macabebe and Lubao The Pistang Danum of the barrios of Pansinao, Mandasig, Lanang and Pasig in Candaba ~ where food is served on floating banana rafts on the waters of the Pampanga River ~ was a originally a non-Christian holiday that is now made to coincide with the baptism of Christ. The Kapampangan New Year or Bayung Banwa that welcomes the coming of the monsoons and the start of the planting season is made to coincide with the feast of John the Baptist. The colourful Apung Iru fluvial procession of Apalit, once a thanksgiving celebration in honour of the river, has become the feast of Saint Peter.
The most dramatic festivals can be witnessed during the Mal ay Aldo, which is the Kapampangan expression of the Holy Week. These include the erection of a temporary shrine known as the puni where the pasion or the story of Christ's suffering is chanted in archaic Kapampangan. The melody of the Kapampangan pasion was said to have been taken from their traditional epic, whose original words were lost and replaced by the story of Christ. The highlight of the 'mal ay aldo' celebration is the procession of the magdarame or sasalibatbat ~ penitents covered in blood due to self flagellation. Some of them go the distance of having themselves crucified every Good Friday at the dried up swamp of barrio Cutud in San Fernando.
Kapampangan cuisine, or Lutung Kapampangan, has gained a favourable reputation among other Philippine ethnic groups. Some popular Kapampangan dishes that have become mainstays across the country include sisig, kare-kare, the "tocino" or pindang and their native version of the longaniza.
Other Kapampangan dishes - which are an acquired taste for the other ethnic groups - include buru (fish fermented in rice), betute tugak (stuffed frogs), adobung kamaru (mole crickets sauted in vinegar and garlic), estofadong barag (spicy stewed monitor lizard) and calderetang asu (spicy dog stew).
Prominent Kapampangans:
History, Politics and Religion
- Benigno Aquino, Jr. - was a senator whose assassination triggered the events that led to the People Power Revolution.
- José Abad Santos - was a native of the City of San Fernando who became the 5th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines. He was killed by Japanese forces during the occupation of the Philippines in World War II.
- Pedro Abad Santos- was a doctor, lawyer, Marxist, and politician who later became a leader of the first of two communist rebellions from the 1930s to the 1950s. He was the older brother of José Abad Santos.
- Félix Manalo - founder of the religious organization Iglesia ni Cristo.
- Eliseo Soriano - evangelist and presiding minister of the Philippine-based Members Church of God International. He is known as Bro. Eli in his radio and television programs Ang Dating Daan (The Old Path).
- Satur Ocampo - co-founder of the National Democratic Front, he is a politician, journalist, and writer. Also a representative for the Bayan Muna party in the Lower House of Philippine Congress.
- Luis Taruc - was a political figure and communist revolutionary. He was the leader of the Hukbalahap rebel group between 1942 and 1954.
- Rufino Jiao Santos - was the Archbishop of Manila from 1953 to 1973 and was the first Filipino to be named Cardinal.
- Don Juan Macapagal - Datu of Arayat, was the great-grandson of Lakandula.[12] He was given the title Maestre de Campo General of the natives Arayat, Candaba and Apalit for his aid in suppressing the Kapampangan Revolt of 1660 and the only native in the Philippines to become an encomendero.
- Diosdado Pangan Macapagal - was the 9th President of the Republic of the Philippines and a native of Lubao, Pampanga.
- Eddie Panlilio - the first Catholic priest in the Philippines to be elected as a provincial governor. Transformer of the Traditional Politics in the Philippines to promote Good Governance.
- Yeng Guiao - the Vice-governor of Pampanga and aprofessional basketball head coach for the Red Bull Barako in the Philippine Basketball Association. Guiao won four PBA titles since starting his head coaching job for Swift in the early 1990s. He is a former Philippine Basketball League commissioner from 1997-2000.
- Anselmo Jorge Fajardo - Father of Kapampangan Literature. Author of the first and longest longest metrical romance in any Philippine language, Gonzalo de Cordoba. He was a native delegate to the Spanish Cortez.
- Juan Crisostomo Soto - Kapampangan writer, revolutionary leader and veteran of the Philippine-American War. Father of Kapampangan poetical debate, Crissotan, and author of "Alang Dios" (There is no God).Perlas quing Burac, Anac ning Katipunan, Lydia and many others Zarzuelas and Playwrights.
- Aurelio Tolentino - one of the mystics of the Katipunan, a compadre of Andres Bonifacio, a nationalist writer in both Kapampangan and Tagalog. He coined the word dula for drama and ironically became known in history as the Father of Tagalog Drama for his anti-US colonial masterpiece Kahapon, Ngayon at Bukas. A theatre at the Cultural Center of the Philippines is named Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino in his honor.
- Jose Gallardo - Kapampangan Poet Laureate and one of the most prolific Kapampangan writer of the late 20th century.
- Amado Yuzon - Kapampangan Poet Laureate, was a Philippine academic, journalist, and writer.
Pop Culture, Sports & Entertainment
- Dolphy - born as Rodolfo Quizon and known as the King of Philippine Comedy was born in Pampanga in 1928 to Kapampangan parents but was raised in Tondo, Manila.
- Melanie Marquez - is a popular beauty queen-turned-actress who hails from Mabalacat. She was Miss International 1979 and was voted as the Most Beautiful Miss International in 2000. She's also a sister of another local actor, Joey Marquez.
- Ricardo "Dong" Puno Jr - is a Filipino television public affairs host, media executive, newspaper columnist, and lawyer.
- Efren "Bata" Reyes - is referred to as "The Magician" and a very popular Filipino billiards player who hails from Angeles City. He is considered to be one of history's greatest practitioners of billiards. Among the world best.
- Francisco Bustamante - is next to Bata, possessed the most powerful breaks in World Billiards. With Bata they are one of the greatest billiard tandem and winningest in the world.
- apl.de.ap (Allan Pineda Lindo) - is a member of the Grammy-award winning group, The Black Eyed Peas, and was born in Sapang Bato, Angeles City. He is famous throughout the Filipino community after the release of his life story of his homeland Philippines in a song called "The Apl Song."
- Lito Lapid - a famous star turned politician. He became governor of Pampanga and later became a member of the Philippine senate.
- Joey Marquez - Philippine basketball star turned actor-comedian turned politician. Brother of popular beauty queen Melanie Marquez
- Yeng Guiao - is a Filipino professional basketball head coach for the Red Bull Barako in the Philippine Basketball Association. Guiao won four PBA titles since starting his head coaching job for Swift in the early 1990s. He is a former Philippine Basketball League commissioner from 1997-2000. He is also the Vice Governor of the province of Pampanga.
Prominent People of Kapampangan Descent:
Pop Culture, Sports & Entertainment
- Fernando Poe, Jr. - born as Ronald Allan Kelley Poe and colloquially known as FPJ and Da King, was a Filipino actor and later politician, having run an unsuccessful bid for President of the Philippines in the 2004 presidential elections against the incumbent Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. His mother, Elizabeth Gatbonton Kelly is a Kapampangan from Candaba.
- Sharon Cuneta - dubbed as the "Megastar of Philippine Showbiz," is a popular Filipina actress, TV host, singer, endorser, grandslam awardee, and a box-office queen hall of famer and a recipient of several lifetime achievement awards at a relatively young age.
- Lea Salonga - is a Tony Award-winning singer and actress who is best known for her portrayal of Kim in the musical Miss Saigon. She spent the first six years of her childhood in Angeles City before moving to Manila.
- Judy Ann Santos - is an award-winning and multi-nominated film and television actress. Her mom hails from San Fernando, Pampanga.
- Paquito Diaz – is a veteran actor and director, whose mother is a Kapampangan.
- Leah Dizon - is a model, singer, and a TV personality and media icon in Japan, born in Las Vegas, Nevada.
- Vanessa Minnillo - is an American television personality born in Clark Air Base, Angeles City and raised in the US. She was Miss Teen USA 1998 and is currently a host on MTV's Total Request Live.
- Hilda Koronel - is an award-winning actress who starred in around 45 films, many of which are critically acclaimed. Born Susan Reid, her father was an American serviceman.
- Lalaine Vergara- is an American actress, singer and spokesperson.
- Rufa Mae Quinto - is a popular actress and TV host, known for her comedy role in the film, Booba.
- Abbygale Williamson Arenas - is a former international model and beauty queen. She is now a freelance make-up artist.
- Chef Henry Pacheco- a Filipino chef known in the international cooking world from barrio Sapangbato
- Francisco "Django" Bustamante - is a world-class billiards player from Tarlac.
- Mikee Cojuangco Jaworski- is a former olympian (equestrian) and celebrity from Tarlac.
- Rosa Rosal- is a Philippine Red Cross advocate who hails from Sta. Rita, Pampanga.
- Elwood Perez- is a movie director from Mabalacat, Pampanga.
- Chris Tiu- is a TV host of Pinoy Records and an MVP of Ateneo Blue Eagles Basketbal Team.
- Sarah Geronimo- is a popular singer, actress, movie star, whose father hails from Floridablanca, Pampanga.
Pampangan Language:
Basic words:
Numbers:
1-isa/metung
2-adwa
3-atlu
4-apat
5-lima
6-anam
7-pitu
8-walu
9-syam/siyam
10-apulu
Sentence:
My name is John-Juan ing lagyu ku
I am here!-Atyu cu queni
Where are you?-Nukarin na ka?
Who are you?-Ninu 'ica?
Words:
I-acu
You-ica
we-icami
us-itamu
all of us-itamu ngan
love-caluguran/lugud
angry-mimwa
beautiful-malagu/masanting/manayun
beauty-lagu
ugly-matsura
