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| Pampanga |
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In a message dated 4/24/2005 1:33:30 PM Pacific Daylight Time, maricelm@.... writes: >Apong Ernie, >A part of me says that I want to learn and become fluent in >Kapampangan, because i was born in Pampanga, my parents are >Kapampangan, and Kapampangan was also my language until I >started going to school. But then again, I think it's now too late to >change everything, because of how we have been moulded by the >schools and society. I must say that my nationalism and love for >Tagalog is now so strong, that I doubt I can still be changed. =================================================================== To all the Maricels who happen to read this: It is unfortunate that the Philippine government enforced policies regarding the increased use of Tagalog in our schools, giving the public the false message that Tagalog should be valued more than our native tongue, Kapampangan. This letter is not about this "unfortunate event" (apologies to Lemony Snickett) but rather about your comment that it's too late to be fluent in Kapampangan. I disagree with you because if there's a will, there's a way. Perhaps, in your case, there's no will, because if there is, then you will learn not only Kapampangan but other languages as well. I left the Kapampangan region when I was fifteen and since I was fifteen I learned Cebuano, Tagalog, and Chavacano by picking up words here and there and speaking the dialects whenever I could. Eventually, I spoke Cebuano (Bisaya) decently but when asked what my native tongue is, I always told everyone with pride that I am Kapampangan. Maricel, perhaps you are not aware of who the Kapampangans are, of what our fellow Kapampangans have achieved even without government support, and how beautiful the Kapampangan region is. Have you seen Mt. Arayat on a clear day, with the fresh green ricefields beneath her majestic slopes? Have you heard the crickets on an otherwise quiet night, singing in harmony, or listening to frogs after a rainy day? Perhaps, all you know is the countryside that was leveled by Mt. Pinatubo. Educate yourself first before you judge. You'll never know how green the other side of the pasture is unless you've gone there and investigated it for yourself. Do not rely on hearsay. Knowledge is power and as an immigrant who moved to the US as an adult, I can tell you this. Most of us immigrants came with only a suitcase or two. Some didn't even have suitcases but came with boxes. Look where we are now. Of course, having a college degree from RP also helps (I said knowledge is power, didn't I?). Years ago, I once met an American pianist on a Princess cruise. I requested him to play a song for us, and when he asked which, I said "your favorite song, play it for us". I can't remember the title of the song he played but it had the words "saan ka may naroroon ay Pilipino ka pa rin". I listened to the tune but what I heard was, "nokarin ka man, Kapampangan ka pa murin" (wherever you are, you're still a Kapampangan). It's not too late. It's never too late to learn or acquire knowledge. Kapampangan is not like a jealous husband (or significant other, if you will). Kapampangan is more like an understanding parent, she allows you to explore other things and learn what you could. You can love whatever you prefer to love. You can pretend to be a Tagalog and love Tagalog. Guess what! The truth remains- your parents are from the Kapampangan region, so spend some moments learning about this wonderful place and her wonderful people. What you learn may surprise you. No matter how old you are, it's not too late to learn. Why, I'm still learning words from the English language as we speak, and I'm older than the hills. =) Don't be afraid to learn new things, Maricel. It's not too late. Only Death can tell you it's too late. I see Death face to face and it's the only entity that can say your time has run out. Yanamu, Dr. Joyce http://www.bambanense.com |
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