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| Hi....folks! Our teamwork has again played an important role in the outcome of our Fiesta La Naval! That extra effort we put in, the overwhelming enthusiasm of everyone, the determination and compliance of those assigned or who volunteered to do an assigned task -- all these contributed to the total pleasant outcome of the event. Almost everybody I asked said that it was better than the one we had last year and could even be the best picnic the Aguman has ever had. The Lutong Kapampangan was great, the literary-musical program was delightully entertaining, the place was in festive mood what with the decorative banners and that streamer made for us by Rafael. And the attendance, estimated by Rafael to be more than 200, was, to say the least, more than what I expected. And the weather too, oh boy, it was bright and clear, and cool on account of the breezes coming from the river - so it couldn't have been better! I had a host of Kapampangan songs for the audience to listen to while eating, but because of the wide space between the pergola and the tables for the food, those seated so far away could hardly hear it. Suggestion: Next time around, perhaps we can arrange all the tables in such a way that they would be close to one another so the audience won't be widely scattered. We spent the rest of the afternoon and early evening in small groups doing our own thing such as playing cards, dancing to music, or just conversing with one another. The painting made on the spot by Rafael Maniago on Angie and which he did so for just 45 minutes was impressive! It would have been better too if the painting workshop he was planning to conduct materialized like that of Dr. Lacson. Well, the over-all rating I would give the event (picnic and all) would be a 95%. As always, we have to leave some room for improvement. Considering the distance of Cascade Locks to the center of the metropolitan area, not to mention the worries or apprehension of most people on account of some news of supremacists wanting to hold a rally in the Cascade Locks vicinity and yet we still had such a huge turn out despite it, we have indeed earned for ourselves a feeling of success! The event was a pleasure! Carry on, folks! ******************************************************************************* Simeon Mamaril's initiation. Mr. Mamaril, an Ilocano from La Union, has been a special honorary member of the Aguman for nine years now. The services that he has been rendering the Aguman include his regular help in the association's bi-annual (and sometimes, yearly) medical missions to the Philippines, and his help in conducting the elections of officers. This year, he has been promoted to the rank of "special honorary adviser".. For the added special privileges given him within the organization, the Aguman has thought of formally honoring him as an "adopted son of the Kapampangan community" with all the rights and privileges thereunto appertaining. It has become traditional in the Aguman to conduct initiation rites on prospective special honorary officers and members. Three tests are given to the neophyte, and they are: 1. on loyalty to Kapampangan in addition to his own ethno-linguistic group (Note: The other adopted sons of the Aguman Capampangan are: Carlos and Luisa Catala who are Tagalogs, and Tim Harvey, who is an American with a Cebuano wife.) 2. on familiarity with Kapampangan culture 3. on courage Here is how Mr. Mamaril's initiation was conducted: For Loyalty: He was blindfolded and led to walk close to the bank of the Columbia River. He was forwarned by the moderator to be careful as he could fall over into the cold water without a life vest. At the same time, he was made to feel safe and secure in the hands of the Kapampangan sergeants-at-arms that were guiding him every step of the way. If these guides were bad, they could always push him to the edge of the river! So he just had to put his trust on them and be loyal to the association he was joining. While trudging along with the guides and not seeing where he was heading, he was urged to pray, "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for God and my Kapampangan friends are with me." He passed it, with flying colors! The blindfold was then removed. For knowledge on Kapampangan culture, history, language, etc.: He was asked, 1. Today is Aug. 21. Whose death anniversary is the Philippines observing? (Mr. Mamaril's answer: Benigno Aquino Jr.) 2. Who is the other well-known Kapampangan martyr? Hint: He refused to collaborate with the Japanese and so was executed. (Mr. Mamaril's answer: Chief Justice Jose Abad Santos. He was executed in Malabang , Lanao.) 3. You are from La Union and I am from Pampanga. What special thing do our provinces have in common? (Mr. Mamaril's answer: Both have beautiful women.) - maybe alluding to Pilar Pilapil and Melanie Marquez. It was not what I was after, so I gave him a hint: "Mr. Mamaril, Oregon and Maine can probably give you a clue, because the name of their largest city is Portland. (And he said, "Oh yes, both their capitals are named San Fernando.") 4. In Kapampangan, how would you say, "Come here"? (Mr. Mamaril's answer: "Mekeni.") 5. How do you say, "Eat" in that language? (Mr. Mamaril's answer: "Mangan") He got everything correctly! The last test was on courage. He had to show his bravery by kicking the dummy of a lion into the air! While doing so, he was asked beat his chest and bellow, "King leun o tigri, e ku tatakut, keka pa?" - which he did with no problem. Having passed all three tests, he was made to kneel before the president of the Aguman who dubbed him with his gleaming sword while saying: "By virtue of the power vested in me as president of the Aguman Capampangan Northwest USA, I dub you as a special honorary officer and as an adopted son of the Aguman Capampangan. Rise up, my brother!" Then, a host of girls lined up in a queue danced and sang Atin Cu Pung Singsing and each placed a lei around Mr. Mamaril's neck. End of the initiation. ************************************************************************** Rafael Maniago's proclamation as poet laureate: 1. The Aguman Choir sang Ernie Turla's "Deng Balen a Kapampangan" which was in the form of a travelogue. The song also introduced the guest of honor at the end. 2. The president of the Aguman, who is concurrently the president of the Akademya, said a few words about Rafael, The Poet. 3. Mr. Maniago delivered four selected poems written by him. After every stanza or so, he was wildly applauded! 4. The president of the Akademya proclaimed him "Poet Laureate in Kapampangan, 2005 and was presented with a plaque. Monette Mallari, a budding poetess, did the honor of laying a crown of laurel leaves on his head. 5. Mr. Maniago expressed his thanks to the association through a poem. ******************************************************************************************** Bunduk ning Arayat AGUMAN CAPAMPANGAN, N.W., U.S.A. in collaboration with Akademyang Kapampangan, International proudly presents Aguman Fiesta La Naval* featuring their ninth annual picnic with a cultural touch Venue: Cascade Locks Park, Columbia River Gorge, just east of Mult. Falls Date: Sunday, August 21, 2005 (Ninoy Aquino Day) Time: 11:30 - 7:00 or beyond Admission: Free to Guests; potluck to members. Hosts shall provide food and entertainment. Agenda: 11:30 -12:15 Mass to be celebrated by Msgr. Jerry Perez 12:15 - 2:30 Picnic 2:30 - 5:00 Cultural Program 5:00 - 7:30 Picnic resumes / karaoke singing / painting session 1. Opening Songs - Marilyn del Rosario, music director, conducting a. America, the Beautiful - general audience b. Pambansang Awit - Filipino audience c. Himno Kapampangan - Kapampangan audience 2. Opening Remarks - Ernie C. Turla, president, Aguman 3. Hula Dance - Isabel Carino 4. Chorus - "Aruy, Catimias Na...." - Rudy and Frida Alejandrino, Jerry and Zeny Pacis, Ellen Ramirez, Mary Balino, Mina Tahayeri 5. Jokes in Kapampangan - featuring the "mi-bilas", Nelson Tanedo and Ben Ducut (includes a little magic show by Nelson, the Great) 6. Solo "Atin Cung Pilsintan" - Victor Bonifacio 7. Kapampangan Comedy Skit - The Susi Sisters (Cori Harms, director) 8. Chorus "Aniang Malati Cu" - The Born Again Virgins (viz.: Beth R. Palomo, Lydia R. Lalic and Isabel C. Carino) 9. Poem "Ninu Mo Pu Aku" - Monette Mallari 10. Duet "Atin Cu Pung Singsing" - The Harms Twins 11. Initiation of an honorary officer, Mr. Simeon Mamaril - Ernie Turla 12. Chorus "Deng Balen A Kapampangan" - the Aguman Choir 13. Poetry Reading "Selected Poems in Kapampangan" - Rafael Maniago of Los Angeles, poet and painter (guest of honor) 14. Proclamation and Crowning of the "Poet Laureate in Kapampangan, 2005" - Ernie C. Turla, president, Akademya ning Kapampangan, International, and Monette B. Mallari, assisting 15. Closing Remarks - Gilbert Gaviola, Ist Vice President, Aguman Marianne G. Gaviola & Cori Susi Harms - Masters of Ceremonies oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo *The Fiesta La Naval is a traditional event which Manila and Pampanga have been proudly celebrating for well over 3 centuries now. Here in Portland, such a tradition is being perpetuated by the Kapampangan community. The time-honored fiesta commemorates the naval victory of the crack Pampanga regiment over the Dutch fleet that had been relentlessly invading the islands for forty years. Their contingent, fighting under the Spanish flag, and whose help was largely responsible for the unification of various barangays in the islands, finally defeated and drove away the Dutch invaders in 1648. They really fought them furiously in a battle in Manila Bay after the latter massacred 100 civilians in Abucay, Bataan months before. They attributed their triumph to their patron saint then, the Nuestra Senora del Santissima Rosario (Our Lady of the Rosary) whom they had prayed to in every battle. Because of this extraordinary feat of the Pampanguenos (mostly Macabebes), Spain was able to continue spreading the Catholic faith in the archipelago, as well as continue with her colonial venture there until 1898. "Qng leun o tigri, e cu tatacut, queca pa!" The Plaque: **************************************************************************************** THE AKADEMYA NING KAPAMPANGAN INTERNATIONAL proudly proclaims Rafael Maniago Poet Laureate in Kapampangan 2005 In testimony whereof, the signatures of the officers of the Akademya are hereby affixed and signed this 21st day of August in the year of our Lord, 2005. Frida N. Alejandrino Ernesto C. Turla secretary president Evangelina H. Lacson Josefina D. Henson founder adviser |
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