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regionalresolutionextinctionfederalismelectiontyrannysilenceletterrevivalsolfedsolfed2storymediatagalizationlocalEnglishschoolmulticulturalismregionalismhopemartialsakarWelshRandyDavidJedPensarProfessor AgcaoiliJoeMax|
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| On The Tagalization of Indigenous Filipinos |
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| --- In DILA-philippines@yahoogroups.com, "Dindo" > In the Kapampangan region, YES you do have a problem, Cabalen. It > is now nearly completely Tagalized. The term "completely Tagalized" is relative. But if you mean that Pampanga or Tarlac has become "Tagalog-majority," that hasn't happened at this point. The figures are around 90% for Pampanga and around 40% for Tarlac (and still a majority of the part of Tarlac, the South, that used to belong to Pampanga). Now, if you mean "Tagalista," I will admit that many Kapampangans have indeed succumbed to that disease (as in other regions, BTW). But this has to be seen within the geographical context. With the Kapampangan Region surrounded as it is by Tagalog provinces speaking the prestigious "national language" (and so close to Manila), some Tagalista influence would not be unusual. What is a marvel is that it has managed to hold out as long as it has. Perhaps the most tenacious area is not Pampanga or Tarlac but Tondo, where the Kapampangan enclave managed to remain intact in otherwise Tagalog Manila for hundreds of years and keep its identity (and bring forth one of DILA's co-founders). I am well aware of the Tagalista reputation of my people, so that I was suprised (pleasantly surprised, though, and more than a little proud) to learn that Kapampangans had co-founded an organization as radical in language defense as DILA, along with Visayans, whom I have always admired for leading the fight against linguistic imperialism. But many other members of the DILA public forum are Kapampangans. Most of them are also diehard Kapampangans who share DILA's ideals. And I am proud of them. I am not trying to minimize the danger, because Kapampangan is indeed very much threatened. But if I have not yet given up, it is because I have met dedicated cabalens, inside and outside of DILA, who care deeply about the land and its language. Many of them are working for the language, and making waves, in their own way. Despite the tidal wave of the subdialect engulfing the Kapampangan land every single moment, you'll be surprised that there is also something of a revival going on, pushed not just by the government or private groups, but by the "man on the street." Some of these have reached DILA, like the resolution enjoining the playing of Kapampangan music on the radio, or the singing of the national anthem in Kapampangan. But there are other manifestations, such as the popularity of Kapampangan-language CDs (one can hear some Clark taxi drivers playing them). These are sold not just in record bars but on the sidewalks (the latter obviously pirated) not just of Kapampangan urban centers like Angeles but even in Avenida Rizal, where I have seen CDs of Totoy Bato being sold. If being pirated is a sign of popularity, Kapampangan music has, in its own way, arrived. > What may the reason be? You have now a Kapampangan Nation > of "traitors" or unconscious "Tagalistas" in your hand. It is not a > matter of "individual choice" but rather a matter of "leadership" > for those interested to preserve their languages. That is the > reason we have leaders [and followers]. Don't try to evade the > truth. I think we should rather train our fire on Tagalistas and their ideology. Anyway, it's true that we have our share of Tagalistas, and some of them might even be in the news. But the diehard Kapampangans I know, in DILA and outside it, give me source for hope. As long as they are there, we have a fighting chance. Luid ya ing Amanung Siswan ampo ing Indung Balen. I beg the indulgence of non-Kapampangans. Ultimately, we are in the same boat. And we will succeed only if we are united. Edwin Camaya Yes, I know what you mean. But don't be dismayed. Let's not lose hope. Let's not be guided by "fate". Let's be guided by "faith" instead. Faith in ourselves that is. We should never resign ourselves to failure. Accepting what is unacceptable is never the name of the game. DILA aims to relentlessly pursue what it has started. And its members are made of sterner stuff! Cabalern |
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