LESSON 4: LOCAL HISTORY AND

CULTURE

This lesson will tackle the rich history and culture of the Kapampangans. It will
underscore the discussion on the Amlat (history), Amanu (language), and Kultura
(culture). In this lesson, the students will examine the historical evolution of the province
(gabun), the struggles of its daunting heroes (which shapes our national narrative) and
discover the unfolding of the unique and prolific tradition and culture of its people. It will
also attempt to delineate the challenges and struggles being faced by the Amanung
Sisuan(language).

Based on archival shreds of evidence of Pampanga history, the province is

a descendant of the Luzon Empire, which was colloquially known as the
Kingdom of Tondo. Lakans ruled such a kingdom. The name "La Pampanga" was given by the
Spaniards who found the early natives living near the river banks.
 The natives were linguistically distinct from the Tagalogs living in nearby provinces. A
popular belief is the native Kapampangans were
descendants of migrants from Central Java,
specifically from Malang Region. Whether or not the
people came from Java or other Malayan countries as
claimed by other historians, there were thriving
settlements along the banks of Rio Grande de la
Pampanga (now called Pampanga River) when the
Spaniards came.

Accounts on Pampanga history noted that the

native Pampangos refused to submit to the Spanish
authority until Martin de Goiti, He was challenged by
the “brave youth from Macabebe” (others sources call
him Tarik Soliman or Bambalito) in the Battle of
Fig.1 – Viewed wrongly as “Dugong Aso” by
Bangkusay on June 3, 1571. Leading more than 2000
warriors on 40 caracoas, this hero died defending his the Tagalogs, the Macabebe scouts, as paid
land. soldiers, they owe their loyalty to no one.

. The province of Pampanga was officially created on December 11, 1571 by the Spanish
authorities. Pampanga was subdivided into pueblos (towns) and further subdivided them into
barrios (districts) as well as encomiendas (royal and private estates).

During the British Occupation of the Philippines, when Manila fell to the British, Villa de
Bacolor, Pampanga became capital of the exiled government of Governor General Simón de
Anda y Salazar from October 6, 1762 to May 30, 1764.

In 1873, La Pampanga’s present borders were drawn, which is certainly an important

element in Pampanga history. Other provinces were created to accommodate the growing
population. During that time, Pampanga was inhabited by over 1.5 million people in 2,200 km2 of
land. Other towns, some even well-established towns, and private states were included in the
emerging provinces in Central Luzon.

For several years, known as Voluntarios de Macabebe, the Macabebes served in the
military supporting the Spanish rule, even overseas. Thus, they enjoyed privileges not afforded to
other Filipinos which caused a rift in tribal entities.
Moreover, Tayag (1985) described this perception
of the conquistadores as: “One Castllian and three
Pampangos are the equal of four Castillians.” In
June 1898, the town of Macabebe, was
abandoned by Spanish troops and was overrun by
revolutionaries who fought against Spanish
colonialism. The town was plundered and the
church was burned killing 300 Macabebe
residents inside. The Macabebe scouts joined
American forces later as paid soldiers.
Fig. 2 – Supremo Luis Taruc, co-founder and
charismatic leader of the HUKBALAHAP,
Japanese planes bombing the Clark Air
which liberated most parts of Central Luzon,
Base in December 8, 1941 marked the beginning
even before the return of the Americans. of Pampanga invasion and a dramatic change
throughout Pampanga history. From then on until 1942, the Japanese forces tried to penetrate
the province. Under the Japanese Occupation of 1942 to 1944, guerilla tactics were employed by
the Kapampangans and HUKBALAHAP (Hukbong Bayan Laban sa mga Hapon) in combatting
the Japanese.

Dubbed as the Hukbong Magpapalaya sa Bayan (HMB) resistance, which forms the
foundation of post-colonial Pampanga history, the uprising occurred from 1946 to 1954. The
armed socialist movement was driven by the evident inequalities in the agrarian wherein land
ownership was concentrated in a very number of families. This led to the creation of an agrarian
reform program implemented in the Republic of Diosdado Macapagal, a devout Pampango.

Nonetheless, Pampanga is honored as one of the eight rays in the Philippine flag due to
its revolt against the Spanish and Japanese colonizers. The Kapampangans take great pride for
their forefathers’ contribution in attaining independence.

In June 15, 1991, Mount Pinatubo erupted. The unfortunate event displaced thousands of
Pampangueños. About 847 people were killed. About 2.1 million people and 364 communities
were affected and the Aeta people were the hardest hit. Over 8,000 houses were destroyed and
73,000 were damaged. Agriculture was seriously affected, destroying 800 km2 of farmlands and
killing 800,000 heads of livestock and poultry. As a result of the eruption, the American military
forces abandoned Clark Air Base. During the lahar onslaught in 1995, there were suggestions
from other political leaders to transfer the Kapampangans to places like Palawan and Mindanao.
This was meet by resistance from the concerned Kapampangans and pushed the creation of
dikes. The crisis proved their resiliency and they were able to rise from the ashes of the
aforementioned natural disaster.(Sources: https://www.alviera.Luph/news/pampanga-history/;
https://www.army.mil/article/40345/macabebes_and_moros)

10.2.2 AMANU (LANGUAGE)

Kapampangan is derived from the root word pampáng ("riverbank"). The Kapampangan,
an Austronesian language, was historically spoken in the Kingdom of Tondo, ruled by the Lakans.

A number of Kapampangan dictionaries

and grammar books were written during the Spanish
colonial period. Diego Bergaño wrote two 18th-
century books about the language: Arte de la lengua
Pampanga (first published in 1729) and Vocabulario de la
lengua Pampanga (first published in 1732).
Kapampangan produced two 19th-century literary
giants; Anselmo Fajardo was noted for Gonzalo de
Córdova and Comedia Heróica de la Conquista de
Granada, and playwright Juan Crisóstomo Soto wrote
Alang Dios in 1901. "Crissotan" was written by
Amado Yuzon, Soto's 1950s contemporary and Nobel Prize nominee for peace and literature, to
immortalize his contribution to Kapampangan literature.
 Kapampangan is predominantly spoken in the
province of Pampanga and southern Tarlac (Bamban,
Capas, Concepcion, San Jose, Gerona, La Paz, Victoria
and Tarlac City). It is also spoken in border communities
of the provinces of Bataan (Dinalupihan, Hermosa and
Orani), Bulacan (Baliuag, San Miguel, San Ildefonso,
Hagonoy, Plaridel, Pulilan and Calumpit), Nueva Ecija
(Cabiao, San Isidro, Gapan City and Cabanatuan City)
and Zambales (Olongapo City and Subic). In Mindanao,
a significant Kapampangan-speaking minority also exists
in South Cotabato, specifically in General Santos and the
municipalities of Polomolok and Tupi. According to the
Fig.3 Kulitan, the Kapampangan ancient 2000 Philippine census, 2,312,870 people (out of the
script. total population of 76,332,470) spoke Kapampangan as
their native language.(Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kapampangan_language)

10.2.3 TRADISYUN (TRADITION)

Kapampangan traditions evolution can be traced from their environment. First, the
Sinukwan Festival, Aring Sinukwan (King Sinukwan) is a god of the ancient Kapampangans. The
celebration participated by representatives of
different towns of Pampanga. Street dancing is
the highlight of this event, each delegates dance to
the tune of the Pampanga Song “Atin ku pong
singsing” in their elegant headdresses and colorful
costumes. Makatapak Festival –“ Makatapak” is a
Kapampangan word means barefoot. This festival
is the famous re-enactment of the town people in
Apalit who walked through lahar in barefoot to look
for a safer place to stay after the eruption of Mt.
Pinatubo.Philippine Hot Air Balloon Festival – held
annually in Omni Aviation Complex inside Clark
Freeport Zone. It features multicolored hot air
balloons from around the globe, it is the biggest
aviation sports event in the Philippines. San
Pedro Cutud Cricifixion Rites- at 3pm every Good Friday, there is an actual nailing on the cross
of three flagellants in the town of San Pedro Cutud. This is now an international tourist’s
attraction. Pyestang Tugak – Pyestang Tugak or Frog Festival which started in 2003 in City of
San Fernando. Its aim is to preserve the Kapampangan culture and to promote the Pampanga’s
unique frog cuisine.
 Giant Lantern Festival City of San Fernando is known to be the Christmas Capital of the
Philippines. Seven barangays from City of San Fernando are participating in the contest of the
giant lantern competition. 20 feet diameter lanterns with thousands of dancing lights are being
judge and display every Saturday before Christmas. Duman Festival – this tradition of pounding
and winnowing unripe glutinous rice till it turns to a green delicacy called duman with a sweet and
delicious small. This is held every first Saturday of December in Sta. Rita Parish Church. (Source:
https://pampangaprovince.wordpress.com/kapampangans-culture/)

This is a fluvial parade of the image

Apung Iru Fluvial Festival of St. Peter or the local called Apung Iru
starts every June 27 and culminates on
June 29. Decorative pagoda is carried and
ferried by men along Pampanga river
routes. Devotees are riding in colorfully
decorated boats are praying around the
images. Ibun-ebun Festival – “Ibun” means
bird “Ebun” means egg. This festival in the
town of Candaba is a tribute to the
productive duck egg industry. Dumara are
the wild Philippine duck which successfully
breeds in Candaba Swamp.
10.3.1 REFERENCES

• Kapampangan culture and Festivals. https://pampangaprovince.wordpress.com/kapampangans-

culture/
• 10 Things you need to know about the Kapampangans.
http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/10-things-you-need-to-know-about-kapampangans
10.3.2 SUPPLEMENTAL READINGS
• Kapampangan Listorian: Every list tells our story.
http://kaplistorian.blogspot.com/search/label/Pampanga
• The Kapampangans. https://ncca.gov.ph/about-ncca-3/subcommissions/subcommission-on-
cultural-communities-and-traditional-arts-sccta/northern-cultural-communities/the-kapampangan/
• The Warrior and Mercenary Culture of the Macabebes. http://fmapulse.com/fma-corner/fma-
corner-warrior-and-mercenary-culture-macabebes/
• Pampanga: Culinary Capital’s Kapampangan Cuisine History.
https://www.willexplorephilippines.com/kapampangan-exotic-food-cuisine-history/

10.3.3 VIDEO LINKS

• Center for Kapampangan Studies AVP.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpmLHjdtXbc

• SONA: Kulitan o tradisyunal na sulat Kapampangan, muling ipinapakilala
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBkLEbXVaEE
• Language vs. dialect: What’s the difference.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRXRAWQIpMo