KAPAMPANGAN KU, PAGMARAGUL KU!

PAMPANGA
Pampanga is one of the provinces in the Philippines' island of Luzon, which is one of the major islands in
the country. It is located within the Central Luzon Region with its capital city being San Fernando.
Nearby provinces include Zambales, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Bataan, and Bulacan. The people and the
province is well known in the country to be a center of culinary expertise.

Pampanga History

The name of the province comes from the local word 'pampang', which literally translates to a river
bank. It was inaugurated during the Spanish colonial era in 1571, which makes it one of the oldest
provinces in the Philippines. During the said time, the province was subdivided into several local districts
for taxation and governmental purposes. The province's original territory even included several portions
of the nearby provinces.

Japanese imperial forces attacked the province starting in December 1941. Japanese invaders then
occupied the province the following year after. 1945 marked the beginning of the arduous task of
liberating the province from Japanese control. Liberation forces were a mix of American and Filipino
troops with the help of local guerrilla fighters who fought against the Japanese since their occupation.

The next major event in the province occurred when Mount Pinatubo sent ash fell all over the country in
1991. Thousands of Filipinos were displaced in the said year as entire towns got submerged in volcanic
mudflow during the mountain's series of eruptions.

Pampanga Terrain and Climate

The province's terrain is primarily made up of flat lands with Mount Arayat as its only distinct mountain.
The Pampanga River is also one of the natural distinct features of the terrain in the said province. Like
the most of the Philippines, the province experience two distinct climates - dry and rainy. The rainy
season often starts in the month of May and lasts until October. The rest of the year usually gets the dry
season.

Attractions

Since Pampanga is one of the oldest provinces in the Philippines, you should expect a lot of remnants
from the Spanish colonial era. Several Spanish churches can be found among many other historical sites
in various towns in the province. Other than historical sites, the provinces also has a lot of facilities and
man-made attractions. You might even want to try a few rounds of gambling in Casino Filipino.

Angeles City, one of the cities in the province, has an international airport that serves hundreds of
passengers. The province also celebrates some of the most colorful fiestas in the Philippines. One of the
most notable fiestas here in Pampanga is the Sisig Festival.
Pampanga is known as a center of culinary expertise in the country. Traces of the Spanish colonial days
are still found since it is one of the country's oldest provinces.

LANGUAGE/DIALECT

Kapampangan is the name of the dialect spoken in the province of Pampanga. It is one of the major
dialects in the Philippines. Kapampangan is primarily spoken in the provinces of Pampanga and in the
southern towns of the province of Tarlac (Bamban, Capas, Concepcion, San Jose, Gerona, La Paz,
Victoria,and Tarlac City). It is also spoken in isolated communities within the provinces of Bataan
(Abucay, Dinalupihan, Hermosa, and Samal), Bulacan (Baliwag, Bulacan, 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).

Some Common Words, Phrases & Sentences

Greetings

 Mayap a abak! - Good morning!

 Mayap a maugtu! – Good noon!
 Mayap a gatpanapun! - Good afternoon!
 Mayap a bengi! - Good evening!

Numbers

 1 - Metung/Isa  15 - Labing lima

 2 - Adua  20 - Adwang pulu
 3 - Atlu  21 - Adwang pulu't metung
 4 - Apat  22 - Adwang pulu't adua
 5 - Lima  30 - Atlung pulu
 6 - Anam  100 - Dinalan
 7 - Pitu  200 - Aduang dalan
 8 - Walu  1,000 - Libu / Metung Libu / Metung a
 9 - Siyam Libu
 10 - Apulu  2,000 - Aduang Libu
 11 - Labing metung  10,000 - Lacsa
 12 - Labing adua  100,000 - Gatus
 13 - Labing atlu  200,000 - Adwang Dalan Libu / Adwang
 14 - Labing apat Dalan A Libu
 1,000,000 - Sangyuto

Sample Sentences

 Kumusta na ka? - How are you?  Nanung lagyu mu? - What is your
 Masalese ku pu. - I'm fine. name?
 Mayap ku pu. - I'm good.  Malagu ka talaga! - You are really
 Malaus ko pu. - Come in. beautiful.
  Kasanting mo! - You are so handsome!  Dakal a salamat – Thank you very much.
 I love you! – Kaluguran daka!  Sopan na. – Help me.
 Wa - Yes  Mimwa ka? – Are you mad?
 Ali - No  E ku balu. – I don’t know.
 Me keni. - Come here.  Nanu ini? – What’s this?
 Bisa kung maglolo keka. - I want to  Nanu – What
court you.  Nukarin – Where
 Tabalu keka- I don't know with you.  Ninu – Who
 Eku balu.- I don't know.  Kapilan – When
 Mako na ku. - I am going.  Pakananu – How
 Mangan ta na/mangan tamu. – Let’s  Muli naku. – I’m going home
eat.  Nukarin ka makatuknang? – Where do
 Kanyaman na ning lutu mo! - You're you live?
cooking is good!  King kayli – To the left
 Pilan na ka? How old are you?  King wanan – To the right
 Nanu ing lagyu mu? – What’s your  King arap – In front
name?  King gulut – At the back

Special menu
Pampanga has always enjoyed the title, “The Culinary Center of the Philippines.” It is populated by
resourceful hardy folk who are justifiably proud of their famous Kapampangan cuisine.

Sisig
Pindang or tocino
Burung Kapampangan/Tagilo (Fermented Rice)
Betute
Kamaru
Taba ng Talangka
Tapa
Bulanglang
Polvoron and other delicacies
Magalang Sweets

Where can you find these delicious Kapampangan food?

1. Everybody’s Café, ANGELES CITY

2. Lilian Borromeo’s Home of Kapampangan Cuisine, MEXICO
3. Claude Tayag’s Bale Dutung (House of Wood), ANGELES CITY
4. Aling Lucing’s Sisig, originated in Angeles City and now in a lot of branches nationwide
5. Susie’s Tibok-Tibok, ANGELES CITY
6. Rosing’s Candies,ANGELES CITY
7. Razon’s Halo-Halo – with branches nationwide
8. Corazon’s Halo-Halo – with branches nationwide
Special Games
 tribal archery
 sibat throwing
 obstacle assault course
 three-kilometer foot race
(all played by native Aetas in Pampanga)

Special livelihood
 Bamboo
 Furnitures in Betis
 Delicacy and merienda making

Special arts and crafts
 Betis woodcarvings and furnitures

Special festivals
 January 1 — Aguman Sanduk, Minalin
 January 6 — 10 Kuraldal, Sasmuan
 February — Philippine International Hot-Air Balloon Fiesta, Clark Field, Angeles City
 February 28–29 - Caragan Festival, Mabalacat
 March/April (Good Friday) — San Pedro Cutud Lenten Rites (Mal a Aldo), City of San Fernando
 May — Sabat/Santacruzan
 May (First week) - El Circulo Fernandino
 June 28–30 — Apung Iru Fluvial Procession, Apalit
 August 27 - Apung Monica Fluvial Procession, Minalin
 October — Pyestang Tugak (Frog Festival), City of San Fernando
 October — Fiestang Kuliat (La Naval Fiesta), Angeles City
 Last Friday of October — Apo Fiesta, Angeles City
 Last Friday and Saturday of October — Tigtigan Terakan Keng Dalan, Angeles City
 November - Makatapak Festival, Bacolor
 November (Last week of November) — Duman Festival, Sta. Rita
 December — Sisig Festival (Sadsaran Qng Angeles), SM Clark, Angeles City
 December 1–7 — Sinukwan Festival, City of San Fernando
 December 11 — Aldo Ning Kapampangan (Pampanga Day)
 December - Saturday before Christmas Eve — Ligligan Parul (Giant Lantern Festival), City of San
Fernando
 December 16–24 - Lubenas, various towns in Northern Pampanga

Special terms for diseases

 Ipe – (German measles) Tigdas
 Bulus – Diarrhea
 Pile – Pilay
 Kuku – Cough
 Bayiki - Mumps
  Kalikubak/Balikubak – Dandruff
 Bulutung danum – Chickenpox

Special songs
Atin Ku Pung Singsing

Atin ku pung singsing King sukal ning lub ku

Metung yang timpukan Susukdul king banua
Amana ke iti Mikurus kung gamat
King indung ibatan Babo ning lamesa
Sangkan keng sininup Ninu mang manakit
King metung a caban King singsing cung mana
Mewala ya iti, Kalulung pusu ku
E ku kamalayan. Manginu ya keya.

ANIANG MALATI CU
E cu pa quelinguan aniang malati cu Pigtiririn mu cu saca cu tinerac
Malati ca naman icang caquialung cu
Maligaya cu bie queti babo yatu Cabang teterac cu lulundag lulucsu
Uling balang saglit ati ca siping cu Agnan ing sagacgac pacpac ding gamat mu
E mu cu ticnangan angang mepagal cu
Lalam balag opu tibis na nitang lual Icua cung sinunga tinulu'ing pawas cu
Siping ning talaga lele ning talacsan
Babo ning garosa 'tin catang pialungan 'Tin catang pialungan e cu pa quelinguan
Perang calapanti darapuc tong bican 'Niang mamialung cata quing bale-balayan
Gin'wa catang anac manica yang basan
Itang bulung saguin quinua cung pengili Cabang pagcanta que titerac mu ne man
Pilit cung lalala gagawan cung dase
Oneng ica naman pilit cang lalawe 'Niang miras ing bengi paintunan da na ca
Uling magtinda cang miayaliwang gule Ding quecang pengari uling mewala ca
Pero era balu piniapuldung daca
'Tin catang pialungan picu ampong sintac 'Nia sa ata ngeni limanung anac ta.
Ninu mang masambut parusan teng terac Ing Aldo Ning Quequeng Casal
Dapot yacu rugu mewala cung palad

 Ating Saug a Malati

 E Ca Mamaco, E Mu Cu Lalacuan
 Capampangan Cu
 O Matas a Banua
 O Caca O Caca
 Ating Metung a Dalaga
 Queta Pu Quecami
 Atsi Cung Rosing
 Ica Mu ing Sinta
 Casaquit na Pala
  Balen Ku
 Anguiang Lagyu Cu Mu Man

Places to Visit

 Metropolitan Cathedral of San Fernando, City of San Fernando

 Betis Church, Guagua (National Cultural Treasure)
 San Guillermo Church, Bacolor
 San Agustin Church, Lubao (National Historical Landmark)

 Paskuhan sa Basa (Floridablanca)

 The Lakeshore (Mexico)

 Fontana (Clark Field, Pampanga)

 Paskuhan Village (renamed Hilaga) (City of San Fernando)

 Expo Pilipino (Clark Freeport Zone, Angeles City)

 Plaza Imelda (Guagua)

 Bayanihan Park (Angeles City)

 Bren Z. Guiao Sports Complex (City of San Fernando)

 Air Force City (Clark Freeport Zone, Angeles City)

 Benigno Aquino Hall (City of San Fernando)

 Federosa Island Resort (Sto. Tomas)

 Nayong Pilipino (Clark Freeport Zone, Angeles City)

 Sito Palakol Resort (Floridablanca)

 Pagcor Angeles City

 Mimosa Leisure Estate (Clark Freeport Zone, Angeles City)

 Clearwater Resort and Country Club (Clark Freeport Zone, Angeles City)

 Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (Clark Freeport Zone, Angeles City)

 Hidden Vale Sports Club (Angeles City)

  Pagcor Mimosa

 Paradise Ranch (Nature and Conservation Park) Clark

 Bulaon Resettlement Octagonal Park (known as Oval for jogging & aerobics at the Circle) (City of
San Fernando)

 Madapdap Resettlement Park (Mabalacat)

 St. Jude Village Oval-Farm Park (City of San Fernando)

 Bicentennial Park (Clark Field, Pampanga)

 Museo Ning Angeles (Angeles City)

 Center of Kapampangan Studies

 Members Church of God International Ang Dating Daan International Convention Center

 Family History Center

 Xevera Plaza (Calibutbut, Bacolor)

 Feliz Cidade Theme Park Mabalacat Pamapanga

Historical landmarks

Angeles City Historical Sites

 Fort Stotsenburg  Lily Hill

 Old Pamintuan Residence  Bale Matua
 Don Juan Nepomuceno Residence  Bayanihan Park (formerly Astro Park)
 Camalig  Salakot Arch
 Bale Herencia  Museo Ning Angeles
 Angeles Post Office Building (now
houses the Angeles Physical Therapy
Rehabilitation Center)

City of San Fernando Heritage District

 Hizon-Singian House  Hacienda Pagyuruan - the Infante
 Lazatin House Ancestral Home
 Dayrit-Cuyugan House  Death March Marker
 Henson-Hizon House  Pampanga Provincial Capitol
 Nicolasa Dayrit Monument and Marker
  Tiburcio Hilario Monument

Bacolor
 San Guillermo Parish Church (the Sunken Church)
 The Sunken Shrine (Cabetican)
 100th kilometre Bataan Death March Marker

 Kamikaze Shrine, Mabalacat

 Pres. Diosdado Macapagal Residence/Library & Museum, Lubao

Natural parks

 Mt. Arayat National Park (Arayat)

 Scenic Candaba Swamps and Wild Duck & Birds Sanctuary (Candaba)
 Mt. Pinatubo Crater (Pampanga/Tarlac/Zambales)
 Dara Falls (Porac) - Pampanga’s version of the Pagsanjan Falls of Laguna
 Cong . Dadong Dam (Arayat)
 Maruring Falls (Mabalacat)
 Lahar Canyon (Porac & Bacolor)
 Muñoz Park – Minalin

Notable people from Pampanga

 Jose Abad Santos  Don Gonzalo Puyat

 Diosdado Pangan Macapagal  Apollo Quiboloy
 Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo  Efren "Bata" Reyes
 Rogelio dela Rosa  Donita Rose
 Rosa Rosal  Lea Salonga
 Cecilia B. Licad  Rufino Jiao Santos
 apl.de.ap (Allen Pineda Lindo)  Eliseo Soriano
 Melanie Marquez  Luis Taruc
 Aurelio Tolentino
 Eddie Panlilio  Chris Tiu
 Gil J. Puyat  Brillante Mendoza
 Other famous local personalities known to be Kapampangan or at least to have Kapampangan
parents are Sharon Cuneta, Helen Gamboa, Dolphy, Fernando Poe, Jr., Vilma Santos, Kris
Aquino, Prince Victor Salamat, Dong Puno, Jay Sonza, Lorna Tolentino, Robin Padilla, Randy
David, Judy Ann Santos, Nanette Medved, Sarah Geronimo, Glydel Mercado, Abbygale Arenas,
Ato Agustin, Liza Lorena, Tonton Gutierrez, Yeng Guiao, Rudy Fernandez, Francisco "Django"
Bustamante, Rosal Rosal, Arwind Santos, Jason William Castro, JC Intal, Dennis Espino, Mark
Macapagal, Jojo Duncil, Japeth Aguilar, Jean Garcia, Miriam Quiambao, Rufa Mae Quinto,
Senators Francis Pangilinan, Lito Lapid and Manny Villar, Regine Tolentino, Jacklyn Jose, Marvin
Agustin, Current Philippine Chief Justice Reynato Puno and Christopher de Leon and the Gil
family of Porac.
 Younger Kapampangan TV personalities are Joseph Bitangcol, Antoinette Taus, Baron Geisler,
Arron Villaflor, Hermes Bautista, Tyron Perez, Eliza Pineda, Justin Cuyugan, Gladys Reyes,
Vincent Liwanag, Allen Dizon, Polo Ablazo, Ronnie Liang, Aljur Abrenica, Emilio Garcia, Krizzy
Jareno, J.E. Parchejo, Jay Aquitania, Sheena Halili, Kristel Astor, Joyce TAÑAÑA, Jansen Mariano,
Mikee Lee, Coco Martin and Antonio Aquitania.