Pampanga should take a lesson from Pangasinan
- a province that used to be entirely inhabited
by Pangasinan-speaking people. Today, almost half
of Pangasinan's territory is populated by other
Filipinos who have come from the north.
Pampanga itself used to encompass a far bigger
territory than it does now. Time was when it extended
from the southern end of the Bataan peninsula and from
Manila Bay to as far north as the Caraballos. That,
of course, was in 1571 when it was organized into
a province - the very first one to be so established
by Spain, and with Manila as the seat of government
of the new colony. That was when all the rest of the
discovered islands and outlying former Spanish
settlements still served as mere outposts for trade.
The province was the first to be created because it
was there where Spain found its bravest and most loyal
fighters (not "mercenaries, according to Nick Joaquin)
who helped in conquering barangay after barangay in
most of the archipelago and uniting them under one
government, under one flag, and directly under the
viceroy of Mexico. It was a common saying then and
throughout the Spanish regime, that "three Pampangans
plus one Spaniard equals four Spaniards". Because of
the efforts and sacrifices of the Pampangans in helping
keep the colony intact and in warding off invaders,
they were highly praised by no less than the kings
of Spain themselves. They were promptly recognized
when victorious in battles as in the case of Lacsamana,
who, following his victory over the Chinese, was
appointed as commander-in-chief
of Fort Santiago for one day. Whenever they won in
battles, they took pride in their feats, and considered
such battles as theirs and never for a moment thought
that they were fighting for a foreign power. Thus, even
today La Naval - which marked their triumphant victory
in a naval battle against the Dutch in the 17th century
is still celebrated there and in Manila today in the form
of a fiesta. Many Pampangans were awarded with encomiendas
or appointed cabeza de barangay or alcaldes in far-off
regions, and most of them decided in staying there for good
- resulting in decrease of Pampangans in their province.
Of course, as soldiers too, when they were sent on various
expeditions especially to the south, in Mindanao against
the Moros, for example, that also exacted a toll on them.
Thus, little by little, Pampanga became smaller both in size
and in population.
Pampanga, as everyone well-versed in geography knows,
is, along with its sister-province Tarlac, beleagered by
the land of the Tagalogs. Along with Ilocano which has
already flourished in the northern half of Tarlac,
Tagalog, which has already taken Nueva Ecija, appears to
be the most formidable and may become in the future, the
nemesis of Kapampangan. The influence and dominance of
Tagalog is being felt not just along the borders but also
deep within. Pampanga's nearness
to Manila plays a big role in being at risk in losing
its native language. And it is so small that over this
century, if the existing trend continues unabated, the
province, for all its vulnerability would be the first
to be gobbled up and become Tagalog-speaking.
But like certain forms of medicine, that's going to
be hard to swallow - especially by proud Pampanguenos who
would rather fight than switch!
Yes, Pampanga, despite all its past glories may not be able
to overcome the overwhelming odds and would eventually
meet its Waterloo. Other regions are not as susceptible
and are in much less danger.
In an article written by the late Renato Tayag entitled "The
Vanishing Pampango Nation", he wrote: "After the Filipino
debacle at Bankusay (led by Bambalito, otherwise known as Tarik
Soliman, the datu of Macabebe - E.T.), the Spanish conquerors
followed up their victory with an expedition to Pampanga region.
Martin de Goiti, Legaspi's maestro-de-campo, took with him Soliman
and Lacandola for these great leaders had great influence over the Pampangos.
They found in Pampanga a land and people much to their liking.
They were impressed by a people well advanced in culture and
civilization. They saw verdant fields planted to rice, and they
met hardworking farmers, craftsmen and artisans, in skill the
likes of Panday Pira whose acquaintance they had already made
in Manila. The conquistadores were so enamored of the Pampangos
that one of them expressed their feeling later: 'In all things,
the Pampangos have a nobleness of mind that makes them the
Castilians of these same Indians.' The Spanish embrace marked
the beginning of the decline of the Pampangos. Of all the ethnic
groups in the Philippines, they were the most used by the Spanish.
One can say that the Spanish liking for them decimated them.
Another factor that hastened the decline of the Pampangos was
the establishment of the capital in Manila. This event made
Tagalog the dominant cultural, social and economic language
among the other native languages. Where, at the beginning of
the Spanish regime, the Pampangos populated parts of Bataan,
Bulacan and Nueva Ecija, the Pampango-speaking areas then
began to recede, slowly but surely, and today the language is
spoken only in Pampanga and a few towns in Tarlac. With the
advent of the movies and television, it is conceivable that
within another century the Pampangos, a tribe that could have
become a nation, would have completely forgotten their language
and become totally Tagalog-speaking. These reflections of mine
were strengthened when Rosalina Icban-Castro's 'Literature of the
Pampangos' came out, for the book struck me like a collection
of the glories of a bygone era that will not happen again. As a
matter of fact, I then mused, as I now conclude, that Mrs. Castro's
anthology is, in a sense, an obituary of the Pampango language.
Jose M. Gallardo ....makes the conclusion that the future is dark
for Pampangos writing in their native language for the reason
that, to obtain rewards and achieve recognition, they are forced
to switch to Tagalog and English. He must have had uppermost in
his mind, among a host of other Pampangos, the examples of Aurelio
Tolentino of Guagua and Bienvenido N. Santos of Lubao. Gallardo
is not alone in his lament. His reaction, however, is a mild one
compared to an earlier example mentioned by John Larkin,that of
Macario Siccion, who wrote a history of Pampanga in the language.
"Siccion complains bitterly of the increasing role of the Tagalogs
in Philippine society and he fears that Tagalog dominance will work
to the detriment of Pampangan culture and literature'. His fears
are turning into reality. His sense of history perhaps made him
recall the past when Pampanga occupied a vast territory and her
vigorous population was expanding and seeking more lands. Then
the Spanish came in 1571 and the province began to decline.
One by one, many towns changed their language and were
transferred to other jurisdictions as a result." All these
were in that article by Renato Tayag.
Now, let me address this to all fellow Kapampangans:
Is our language worth saving? To the die-hard ones, it is!
But if we are determined in saving it from the clutches of
Tagalog, now is the time because tomorrow wil be too late.
Start with what we deem feasible but let's start now.
Remember Edward Young's adage, "Procrastination is the thief
of time." Some would say, "Well, when 'doomsday' for Kapampangan
strikes, we won't be around anymore anyway! That's totally
in contrast with the positive attitude of that 90-year old
caring scientist who still tries fo find a cure for a presently
incurable disease, isn't it? Some people are just Kapampangan
by birth or by fate or in name only and they are a category in themselves.
But there is another institution of Kapampangans who just
so love their province and language that they would do
everything in their power to preserve them for their posterity.
These are the red-blooded, true-blue Pampanguenos whose pride
for Kapampangan knows no bound. Now we don't depend upon
the Institute of National Language to help us, due to
obvious conflict of interest. As a matter of fact, we,
Kapampangans, Cebuanos, Waray-warays, Hiligaynons, Bicolanos,
and Ilocanos are the ones that give the INL a headache.
Without us, the INL would have more time to spend in
developing the national language than in propagating it.
But we have our own interests and priorities too, and if
we let go we won't survive. We have to prevent our language
from extinction, from becoming a dead language like Latin,
from becoming history!
So, it is up to us, ourselves, Kapampangans, to work
for the promotion and preservation of our own language. The
following are probably the best ways to accomplish our
objectives: 
1. In Pampanga and in all Kapampangan communities such as those
in Tarlac, the Kapampangan language should replace
Tagalog as medium of instruction in all schools in the primary
grades. Kapampangan should also be made one of the subjects in
the school curriculum, from first grade on through college.
Instead of Tagalog, English should be made take over as the
language of learning from fifth grade up.
Students should be required to learn Kapampangan literature, such
as the works of Crisostomo Soto, Zoilo Hilario, Amado Yuzon,
Jose Gallardo, Vedasto Ocampo, etc., and the books of
Evangelina Lacson, Edna Manlapaz and Rosalina Castro. Same
way with Kapampangan history, such as the books, The Pampangans,
by John Larkins and the Aquinos of Tarlac by Nick Joaquin.
2. Enclaves should be prevented from forming anywhere
within Kapampangan country. Many of the newly-formed
countries in the former Yugoslavia now come in various
shapes, gerrymandered, because of the presence of
enclaves amidst their territories. Formation of
enclaves can be curbed by teaching Kapampangan to
Tagalog-speaking migrants in Pampanga. We should not
be talking to them in Tagalog just because we can speak
their language and they can't speak ours. Having moved
there, it is incumbent upon them to exert an effort to
learn the language. We should not be subjugated on our
own turf. That's like becoming hostage in our own home.
Otherwise, our legislators should pass a law (which might
be unconstitutional, I don't know) banning non-Kapampangans
from buying land in Kapampangan territory. It will
be an extension to land reform as well as an extension
to the "endangered species" law. Even better would be the
establishment of a requirement in the form of an oath
signed by real estate purchasers who would promise to try
to learn Kapampangan during their stay there.
3. Literary contests in Kapampangan should be
held every year, preferrably on Pampanga Day. This
Kapampangan writing contest should include all
aspects of writing such as poetry, drama and fiction.
Prizes in the form of trophies and plaques with attached
monetary awards donated by Kapampangan organizations
should be conferred on the winning writers. I think
the Akademiang Kapampangan under the efficient leadeership
of Josie D. Henson has already been sponsoring Kapampanganfests
or festivals of this sort every year few years since during
the time of Gov. Estelito Mendoza. They should carry on with
this worthy Olympiad-style competitions without letup.
4. Kapampangan music composers should be
discouraged from bringing their works to Manila
and selling them to Tagalog recording companies.
The reason why Atin Cu Pung Singsing is about the
only song we have in Kapampangan is because our
composers never write in and for Kapampangan.
They know they would not make any money if they do
so. To combat this, we should give them some
incentive. We have to have workshops in songwriting.
All Kapampangan songs that are approved by a
board of judges should be recognized. Each composer
should be justly compensated by being awarded a
trophy and a hefty sum of money - about the same
amount as what he would earn from a company in Manila.
His song should be recorded by a recording company
in Angeles and included in a published anthology.
5. Revive some of the relics of the good old days when our
culture was in full bloom. In the field of religion: Since
we can't go back to the tridentine system, we can perhaps,
at least use Kapampangan, as the ceremonial language, as
well as for sermons. We should always pray in Kapampangan,
such as the "Ibpa Mi", the "Bapu Maria", etc. In the field of
literary-entertainment: We should play on the "enteblado"
the "zarzuelas" and the "comedias" or "moro-moro" of our
noted dramatists. Likewise, we should revive the Crissotan.
We should publish the old "curiros" of yore and encourage
their reading and sell them in front of churches like in the
good old days when they were in vogue. Encourage the singing
of "gozos" on All Saints Day, and "pasion" during the Holy
Week. Encourage the frequent performances of the "Basulto"
and the "Sapatya" - two Kapampangan folk dances. Likewise,
encourage the writing and singing of "polosas" such as those
popularized by Totoy Batu and F.Manacmul. Maybe something
nostalgic like this will open the hearts of Kapampangan folks.
6. Let us try to keep our own unique identity especially
pertaining to language form. Tagalizing Kapampangan
in its orthography instead of carrying on with the
Kapampangan traditional system is akin to surrendering
and holding up a white flag! We Kapampangans are supposed
to be made of sterner stuff and do not have to adopt the
ways of other native cultures in order to fit in Philippine
society. In his column, Manila Mail, Federico D. Pascual
wrote: "Some Capampangans , for various reasons, insist on
sticking to the old spelling. In my case, it is more of
resistance. I do not relish the thought of being swallowed
by rules of convenience (their convenience)imposed from
outside threatening to obliterate our distinct personality."
7. Encourage businesses in all towns of Pampanga to use
signs in Kapampangan. Examples: Panaderia nang Apung Diung,
Tindahan nang Tessie, Carinderia nang Indang Fely, Clinica
nang Dr. Henson, Escuela Ning Montessori, Botica Angeles,
Pabricang Sitsarun Ning Guagua, Opicina nang Abogado Canilao,
Palenque Masantol, Cine Estrella, Tindahan Libro nang Mendiola,
Sastreria nang Tuazon, Pabricang Aslam nang Lazatin, etc.
If signs like these whould proliferate in our downtown areas,
it would be a good sign that our language is very much alive
and kicking!
8. Penalizing students in school campuses for
speaking the vernacular is outrageous and should be
outlawed. It is enough that during classroom
sessions English and Tagalog are used as media
of instruction, but when students are prohibited
from speaking their own language outside the
classroom, that is going overboard. As if the
students aren't yet exposed sufficiently to these
languages - what with all the media (radio, t.v.,
movies, newspapers, magazines, records, etc.)
already in either English and Tagalog. Rumors has
it that schools even encourage students into
speaking English and Tagalog outside such as at
home and in the street! If they want to boost
these languages it should not be at the expense
of the province's native language which is
Kapampangan. The students are being made to feel
that their mother tongue is inferior and is really
of no importance. (What a shame it is if a student home
on vacation from college in Manila would start speaking
to you in another language because he has "forgotten"
mother tongue!) A really bad message for the youth!
Making them feel that their language has no value in
society, is worthless, and is just vain inheritance!
That is why it is not surprising to see the uneducated
rural folks to have larger and more impressive Kapampangan
vocabularies. We should never relegate Kapampangan in
importance by putting it aside in a dark secluded corner
while we glorify other languages! Rather, we should place
it on a throne or pedestal, because it is the one
that gives us a distinct identity, a distinctive
identification and a distinguished trademark that
that makes us who we are.
9. At their own homes and among themselves, family members should
always speak in Kapampangan. Parents should not speak to their
children in Tagalog as otherwise there is no longer a place where
they can learn their own language. Education, like most everything,
begins at home. It is at home where children really would learn
the language - from their own parents.
10. Kapampangans should join global networks that work for the
preservation of the language:
Akademya ning Kapampangan, International (AKI)
Hands Across Pampanga to Save Its Language (HAPSIL)
Hands Around the World to Save Kapampangan (HAWSK)
In T-shirts to wear, get the ff. imprinted:
"Pagmaragul ke ing Kapampangan, (in the front)
anya Kapampangan ing salita ku." (at the back)
Every house in Pampanga should have the sign:
"Kapampangan ing gagamitan mi ke bale
ampo ke lwal."
 
If Pampanga will do just these, its language,
Kapampangan, would live forever and ever! Yes, it
will become immortal like the saying, "Qng leon
o tigre e cu tatacut, queca pa!" 
ING SALITANG KAPAMPANGAN
by Ernie Turla
Dane caili, qng albugan / Zambales a cabunducan
Bandang wanan, qng aslagan / Sierra Madre ning Bulacan,
Qng mauli at paroba / ing cailugan at danuman,
At queng arap, paralaya, / bunduc nang Mariang Sinucuan.
Pilibutnan dacatamu / itang lahing Kapampangan
Deng caparang Pilipinung / macaliguid queng tucuran
Bagya-bagya racatamung / tatapus at lulusuban
At nung mipaburen iti, / bandang tauli matda ta ngan.
Anting prueba bandang norte / ating probinciang lalati
Mepitna no reng sasabi / queng carelang tune lahi
Magluid la reng dominanti / mipipilpil la reng ali
Pota ing mal tang Pampanga / maguing anti ya careti.
Ania ngeni cabang e pa / atrasadu ing panaun
Sucat maintun tang paralan / aguantan ta'ing imigracion
Pangilagan lang magporma / reng "enclaves" a paliguan da
'Nia nung ating bayung tuclas / Kapampangan ituru la.
Deng quecatang cayanacan / ustung minta no Menila
Cauli ra qng probincia / Tagalug no queng salita!
Deti dapat lang imbernuan, / lalaco re paintungulan
Ing amanu tamung sisuan, / Linagpas la queng cabiasnan.
Ing matua tang pamanyulat / antining quecong babasan
Preserba tang anting mana / sariling guintung pibandian
Uling iti sadia tanang / gagamitan, pi-ugalian
Meguing tatac tana iti / itang lahing Kapampangan.
Carampatan umahan ta / ing e ustung patacaran
Diquil queng pangaturu ra / reng anac queng Kapampangan,
Bayu la sa manigaral / careng daiwan a salita
Queng amanu ra que bale, / dapat la ngang mabiasa pa!
Ania guiguisingan daco / panandam at pilubluban
Gobernador, deputado, / at ninu mang manunculan:
Dugo e taya paburen / iting amanu tang sisuan
Uling ya ing sibul na ning / diwa tamu at taguimpan!*
Visit these related links:
THE UNFINISHED LETTER
http://maxpages.com/cabalen
KAPAMPANGAN CULTURLA HERITAGE SOCIETY
http://maxpages.com/kchs
KAPAMPANGAN - A LANGUAGE IN PERIL
http://maxpages.com/symposium2
CLASSIC KAPAMPANGAN DICTIONARY
http://maxpages.com/turla/classic
KAPAMPANGAN IN 12 EASY LESSONS
http://maxpages.com/lesson
KAPAMPANGAN FOLK SONGS ALBUM
http://maxpages.com/kapampangan
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