Semantics of the Kapampangan Language (Part 2)

Continuing off the previous post, here are some other Kapampangan semantics:

Ba’ba ~ chin | Baba – go down or the lower part of something.

For example;

“Eka mag saluk baba.”
“Don’t rest your hand under your chin.”

Baba naka ken.” | “Atsu ya keng baba na ning T.V.”
“Get down from there.” | “It’s under the T.V.”

Kaputul – Kapatad ~ sibling.

For example;

“Abe ke ing kaputul ku.”
“I’m with my sibling.”

“Atsu ya ing kapatad ku.”
“My sibling is here.”

Sabyanan – Abisuan ~ to notify.

For example;

“Sabyanan mu nalamu na dinatang kami.”
“Notify them that we arrived.”

“Abisuan mula saguli.”
“Just inform them quickly.”

Agkat – kumbiran ~ to invite.

For example;

“Kumbiran me ing siping tamung bale.”
”Invite our neighbor.”

“Agkat meng mangan y atchi mu.”
”Ask your sister to eat.”

Luklukan – Bangku ~ chair.

For example;

“Paki dwang ing luklukan.”
“Can you get my chair?”

“Nokarin ya ing bangku yu?”
“Where is my chair?”

References

Revival: Glossary of Old Kapampangan Words

Unfortunately, many Kapampangan words are lost in time, obscured in the passage of time. In 2007, however, two Catholic priests from Pampanga, Edilberto Santos and Venancio Samson, successfully completed the translation of Fray Diego Bergano’s “Arte de la Lengua Pampanga” (Grammar of the Kapampangan Language, 1729) and “Vocabulario de Pampango” (Kapampangan Vocabulary, 1732), respectively.

These translations paved the way for upholding the practice and longevity of the Kapampangan language. “Vocabulario de Pampanga” contained words that the Kapampangan used for things that surrounded them at the time. Some of the vocabulary noted are:

Langolango
“toilet”

Sipan
“toothbrush”

Amuyam
“sponge”

Lambangan
“rice dispenser”

Carangcarang
“baby walker”

Yubyub
“barbeque”

Limpasut
“shark”

Talangtalang
“goldfish”

Batanglaua
“spider web”

Lacsa
“10,000”

Gatus
“100,000”

Sangyuta
“1,000,000”

Payungdaguis
‘mushroom’
“mouse’s umbrella”

Sulungdaguis
‘morning star’
“mouse’s lamp“

Sabo susu
‘milk’
“soup from the breast“

Bungang tudtud
‘dream’
“fruit of sleep”

Pinanari
‘rainbow’
“king’s loincloth“

Anac sulip
‘illegitimate child’
“child from the basement“

References

Angeles City’s Pride: Keepers of Heritage

The Angeles City’s local government and Angeles City Tourism Office (Acto) endeavored to recognize Kapampangan artists that contributed to the preservation of their culture. They conceived what is known as the Deng Talasinup king Singsing Awards Night, where a keeper of heritage is given tribute for their work. The word ‘singsing‘ is used as a figure of speech to refer to the culture as our treasure.

“Our past provides meaning and identity to the present and would inspire the future generations.”

Richard Daenos (Acto head)

By recognizing the local traditional artists and advocates who uphold our culture, the organizers believe that it would be a sure way to promote, preserve, and ensure the practice of the province’s rich heritage. These artists, however, must be established experts and masters of indigenous Kapampangan culture (beliefs, rituals, customs, art forms, traditions).

Along with bestowing awards to the keepers, the event also encourages the youth to be more aware of our slowly dying traditions and to let them appreciate the artistic value and beauty of our heritage.

Michael Raymon Tayag-Manaloto Pangilinan. (Siuálâ Ding Meángûbié, n.d.).

In 2016, Micheal Raymon Tayag-Pangilinan was awarded Talasínup king Singsing (Keeper of Heritage) for his exceptional knowledge of the Kapampangan and its indigenous language, Kulitan.

In 2017, Chef Claude Tayag, Angeleno chef, and restaurateur received an award under Kapampangan Culinary Arts.

Other awardees are Renato Calma for the preservation of the art of making traditional Angeles Lanterns and Peter de Vera for promoting Kapampangan culture and artistry through dance.

The event was inspired by the Commission for Culture and the Arts own “Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan” (National Living Treasures Award).

References

What’s in a Name: Angeles City

In honor of the founder, Angeles was named after Don Angel Pantaleon de Miranda. However, the convention was that new towns were to be dedicated to saints who were namesakes of their founders. Thus, Los Angeles Custodios, or the Guardian Angels (‘Angel a Talaingat’ in Kapampangan), became the town’s patron saint.

1797 Don angel Panteleon de Miranda and his Wife. (Museum of Angeles, 2003).

During the making of the patron saint’s image, Don Angel singularized it to San Angelo or Holy Angel for pragmatic reasons. The image is currently kept at the Holy Angel University Chapel. Don Angel had passed it down to his descendants among the Nepomucenos.

Santo Angel Custodio of Angeles City, Pampanga. (Pintakasi, 2019).

Fascinatingly, however, the Holy Guardian Angel stands to be the titular patron saint of the city. Our Lady of the Holy Rosary is said to be the town’s true patron saint due to Rosalia de Jesus, the founder’s wife, carrying this specific image during the clearing operations.

The Philippines knows this image as La Naval, as the victory of a Spanish fleet against Protestant Dutch ship invasions in 1646 was led by this Marian icon. A pivotal role in that battle was played by Kapampangan soldiers, hence why Bacolor and Angeles are the only places to celebrate La Naval outside Manila.

Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario – La Naval de Angeles inside the Holy Rosary Parish’s famed
sunburst altar, (Pintakasi, 2019).

Angeles City has its fair share of barangays, 32 of them to be exact! The image below shows their locations in the city:

Political map of Angeles (Squeakydolphin,, 2019).
References

Angeles City Seal: Symbols’ Interpretation

Angeles City, like all other cities, has its own seal. The symbols presented each hold significance to the city, which we will explain further below.

Seal of Angeles City, Philippines. (Angeles City Government, n.d.)

Upper Left-Hand Portion

The golden leaf is modeled purposely after the Antipulu tree, famous for its tallness, its longevity, and its appearance as dignity. The golden Antipulu tree, based on these attributes, symbolize grandeur, permanence, and honor, that will mark the beginning of the future growth and advancement of the city of the Angeles region as a local community that is responsive to the idealism of our great heroes and our nation’s aspirations towards self-determination of greatness. This golden Antipulu leaf is also representative of new leadership that will contribute to the community’s success.

Upper Right-Hand Portion

The hawk (Balawe), holding the symbolic shell of prosperity and leading a flight of small birds, depicts Angeles City’s economic leadership, as well as the economic leadership of other towns of Pampanga portrayed by the small birds.

The blue backdrop represents the vastness of Angeles City’s economic potential, much of which is only waiting to be recognized that can only be accomplished with the help of a new type of leadership and the full participation of all people.

Lower Left-Hand Portion

The red backdrop represents Angeles citizens’ contributions to the cause of independence during the national war against foreign invaders. This color also represents the martyrdom of those Angeles residents who selflessly gave their lives in the fight for social reforms and the protection and uplifting of the oppressed masses.

The war standard of General Emilio Aguinaldo, the great Filipino emperor, is prominently displayed here to commemorate an inspiring historical event in which Angeles played a significant role. In June 1899, Angeles became the seat of the Philippine Republic’s fledgling administration wherein the Pamintuan residence was the Presidential Palace for a short time. June 12, 1898, was the first anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, which was achieved through the Filipino people’s blood, sweat, and sacrifices. These were proudly celebrated in Angeles amidst military parades, civic parades, official speeches, and general rejoicing. The prominent American Forces took part in the military parade and led it. The Angeles Independence Day celebrations were directly officiated by President Aguinaldo and members of his cabinet.

Lower-Right Hand Portion

The letters “AA” stand for the “Angel – Angeles,” serving as the official seal of Don Angel Pantaleon de Miranda, the founder of Angeles. The first clearance of Barrio Culiat, which later become a town and then a city, took place in 1796, which is found below “AA”. The great achievement and success of the founders and people who assisted in turning Barrio Culiat (1796) into a town (1829) in 33 years of war against unkind forces of man and nature, was symbolized by the golden background.

The ancient Filipino shield behind these four symbols represents the Angeles City Government’s duties and obligations that protect and preserve the rights and integrity of all city residents, as democracy demands. The shield is surrounded by the Culiat vine, which has 32 fruit clusters, each representing one of Angeles City’s 32 barangays. To emphasize the revival and preservation of Angeles culture, the words “Lungsod ng Angeles” are written in the style of ancient Tagalog script, and the decoration of the year “1964” is patterned after the Sari-Manok motif. The green background symbolizes the abounding fertility of the agricultural lands of the city of Angels.

References

Balu Mu Ba?

Balu mu ba? | Alam mo ba? | Did you know?

Want to know a tidbit of intriguing information about Angeles City? Read on and find out!

Holy Angel University Main Building. (Villa, n.d.).

Holy Angel University, located in Santo Rosario, Angeles City, is the largest private institute in Central Luzon with the largest student population on a single campus. It is also the largest Catholic college.

2016 Campus Map of HAU. (Holy Angel University, 2016).

The university is considered the first Catholic school that the laity founded and the first Catholic co-educational high school.

Additionally, in the Asia-Pacific region, it is the only university included in the 2016 Newman Guide that contains essential information on colleges that the Cardinal Newman Society recommended for their brilliant efforts in teaching Catholic education.

Another first that HAU received was the National School of Character distinction, granted in 2017 by the Character Education Partnership Philippines, an associate of Character.org based in Washington DC.

That is a lot of firsts for our beloved university! Try visiting to see the campus for yourself when you can!

References

Semantics of the Kapampangan Language (Part 1)

As of the moment, Kapampangan is the official language of all local government entities in Angeles City and Pampanga.

Kapampangan is an Austronesian language and one of the Philippines’ eight main languages. It is the main and dominant language of the provinces of Pampanga and southern Tarlac, located in the southern part of Luzon’s central plains geographic area, where the majority of the population is Kapampangan.

Angeles City’s Sangguniang Panglungsod has made a concerted effort to preserve, revitalize, safeguard, encourage, and grow Kapampangan, the city’s indigenous language.

Here are some Kapampangan Semantics to familiarize yourself with the language. Though some words share the same meaning, they are used in different contexts.

Bili – Baldug ~ to stop holding onto.

Baldug specifically means to let it fall while bili can have the similar meaning but it can also mean to just put it down. For example;

“Bili me keng lamesa.”
“Put it down on the table.”

“Baldug me keng sapa.”
“Drop it in the river.”

Abak – Maranun ~ morning.

For example;

“Kayabak-abak, anakang sigla.”
“It’s early in the morning, you’re noisy.”

“Nandin ka pang maranun sasabi.”
“Since earlier in the morning you’re talking.”

Duwang – Abut ~ to pass.

For example;

“Paki abut mu ne ing nasi.”
“Please pass the rice.”

“Paki dwang mu ne ing susi ko.”
“Can you pass me my keys?”

Asbuk – Balungus ~ mouth.

Balungus is less formal. For example;

“Kanganga na ning asbuk mo?”
“Your mouth is wide open.”

“Eya pepatugut ing balungus mu.”
“Your mouth is non-stop.” (Non-stop talking)

References

In Remembrance: Heroes of Angeles, Pampanga

Though local heroes are shrouded in obscurity, Holy Angel University endeavored to keep these men and women alive, featuring them in special issues of Singsing, the Center for Kapampangan Studies’ (CKS) publication. These issues are “99 Memorable Kapampangans” and “Brave Hearts.”

Gen. Servillano Aquino. (Alchetron, 2018).

One memorable hero who hailed from Angeles City at birth is Gen. Servillano Aquino, a Katipunero and the patriarch of the Aquino family.

Born on April 20, 1874, he received education at a young age from a private tutor in Mexico, Pampanga. During his childhood, his family migrated to Tarlac.

Aquino became a part of the Katipunan in 1896 and organized revolutionary forces against the Spanish as a major under General Francisco Macabulos’ command.

He was voluntarily exiled to Hong Kong along with Emilio Aguinaldo after the signing of the Pact of Biak-na-Bato. Once returned to the Philippines in 1898, he joined General Antonio Luna in fighting against the American forces.

In 1901, he was incarcerated in Bilibid Prison for the alleged murder of an American prisoner, He was sentenced to death by hanging, but later sentenced to life imprisonment instead. Two years later, however, he was given pardon by US President Theodore Roosevelt.

Notably, the tradition of patriotism began with Gen. Aquino, which is evident in his clan all the way down to his grandson, Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. His grandson’s assassination in 1983 led to the People Power Revolution in 1986, restoring democracy in the country.

Aquino Family Clan. (Vera Files, 2018).
References

Color the Sky: Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

For four days every year, the sky is filled with magnificent hues of color on all shapes and sizes, floating up and above hundreds of people.

2018 Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta. (The Backpack Man, 2017).

Every second week of February, the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon festival happens in Clark Freeport Zone, Angeles City, Pampanga. Heralded as one of the longest-running aviation sports event in the Philippines, various hot air balloons dot the sky, with pilots from all over the world controlling them.

Hot Air Balloon Festival. (Out of Town Blog, n.d.).

The well-organized event boasts a number of diverse activities as well, such as signal bounces, skydiving, free-form acrobatics, place and helicopter presentations, miniaturized scale light and rocketry showings, and many more.

The balloons are open for one to ride (for a fee) and see Angeles City from high up. Many other countries participate in the event as well, with hot air balloons being bigger and more colorful than last year’s.

Truly, it is an event to experience for yourself with your family!

References

Balu Mu Ba?

Balu mu ba? | Alam mo ba? | Did you know?

Salakot Arch, Bayanihan Park. (Tripadvisor, n.d.).

Want to know a tidbit of intriguing information about Angeles City? Read on and find out!

Angeles City’s Salakot Arch, found in Bayanihan Park, was located originally in Clark Air Base.

Salakot Arch at Clark. (Malakingdude, 2006).

Following the agreement to establish Philippine sovereignty over U.S. bases and subsequent signing of the revised Military Bases Agreement on January 7, 1979, the government built a landmark resembling a native hat, or salakot, in commemoration. The salakot is frequently attributed to symbolizing Philippine nationalism and spirit.

Salakot Arch’s relocation occurred later, and the park itself was renamed Bayanihan Park from Astro Park following the conversion of Clark Air Base.

Locals and tourists frequently visit the arch to spend a relaxing day under the structure. Be sure to visit as well if you’re in the area!

References
Design a site like this with WordPress.com
Get started