49. TOTOY & HIS CHILDREN: Rockin' Kapampangans

 Totoy Bato (real name: Rodolfo Laxamana) is Pampanga’s foremost minstrel man, an itinerant singer of bawdy Kapampangan ballads, folk songs and English pop hits reworked with Kapampangan lyrics. A legendary name in the local music scene, Totoy Bato, accompanied only by his guitar, sings just about everything: from his favorite Kapampangan places, about love gone wrong, the loneliness of a Saudi worker to the wayward lives of OFW’s. When he belts a song in a familiar style that harkens back to the “polosas” of yore, Totoy doesn’t just sing the lyrics but also speaks the truth, often sugarcoating it with his seeming flippance and frivolity. That’s what makes his music so appealing, a spoonful of humor does make the medicine go down.

Now a gang of young Kapampangan rockers have taken his songs (including adapted traditional tunes) and given them a contemporary rock beat, in a new CD co-produced by the Holy Angel University Center for Kapampangan Studies and Kalalangan Kamaru (19 year old Jason Paul Laxamana, also the CD project director).

I confess, I am not exactly a rock fan—Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven and Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody are the only valid rock songs that I can listen to in their entirety. But when I played the RockKapampangan CD, I found myself listening to the entire 16 tracks not once, but twice. I still find some of the songs too loud for comfort, but the arrangements are interestingly fresh and engaging.

 “Sibul ning Arayat” has been given an upbeat reggae makeover (band: 5 Against The Wall), so refreshingly light and lilting. “Istorya nang Raffy Balboa” by Chilimansi, stuck close to the original treatment, but this version has more drama to the narrative. Tibuan’s cover of “Sintang Pangarap” likewise puts a funky spin to this already irreverent song of courtship.

Mental Floss’s “Ing Lugud Ning Indu” has been energized with an effective opening electric guitar riff that leads to a stirring Sampaguita-esque rendition (sorry for my point of reference, my age is showing) of this paean to mothers, as if to tell us that this is how a tribute should be sung—loud and proud.

Nora Aunor Fan’s Club’s “Kaplas”, is my favorite, risqué lyrics notwithstanding (Read the lyric sheet and be shocked). The vocals are genuinely rock but not raucous, with surprising clarity that allows you to go with the flow.

The last track, “Atin Ku Pung Singsing” I thought was almost untouched, perhaps out of respect for tradition. Jason has appended additional lyrics that talk about the lost ring now found : “Ikit kune ing singsing, mitambunan abu/ Ngenin’g ikit kune sinup kuneng tutu/Bang e ne mabating me ku man marayu/Salesen keng sulud kening taliri ku” (I have found the ring, buried under the ash..now that I have regained it, I will now keep it well. So that it will not be lost again even if I travel far, I will wear it properly on my finger..”.)

Totoy Bato need not worry about the future of Kapampangan music—the youth lies in wait to wear his mantle—and inherit the earth. As Robby Tantingco, CKS Director puts it: “If we want culture to survive, it will be on their terms, not ours. And if this is how our cherished songs will end up, so be it. Rock rules!”

(Other tracks: Dayang Kapampangan (fourth clan)/Atsing Rosing (dialago)/Ing Lugud ning Indu (mental floss)/ Katatagan king Pamikalaban (neophytes)/Kasmasaman (t.h.e.m.)/Dalumdum ding Bengi (cyclo)/ Aldo ning Kekaming Kasal (amygdala)/ Aliwa Kang Talaga (mernuts)/ Indung Balayan (silence)/ Saug a Malati (pulse rhythm)/ 40 Aldo (fine time) 

(25 February 2008)

35. Review: O, INDU: The Virgen de los Remedios Story

 Category: Books
Genre: Religion & Spirituality 
Author: Edna L. Gueco

Pampanga was a hotbed of socialism and Huk insurgency in the 50s. So, to temper these 'godless ideologies', Bishop Cesar Ma. Guerrero of the new Diocese of San Fernando launched the Cruzada ning Pamanisi at Lugud (Crusade of Penance and Charity) .

 “Aqui en Pampanga hay mucha piedad, pero poca caridad! (Here in Pampanga, there is much piety but little charity!)” the Bishop noted.The symbol of the crusade revolved around a small image of a Virgin from Baliti; she was borrowed and titled Virgen de los Remedios. Thus, the tradition of religious processions and acts of charity (lamac) began. Virgen de los Remedios made the rounds of Pampanga towns for a full year, and the towns took turns hosting the image. The devotion touched lives, healed wounds, converted people and helped stem the tide of Communism.

In the next year of the Cruzada however, the people of Baliti, due to some misinformation, refused to loan out their Virgin, to the disappointment of the Bishop. Emotions ran high in Baliti, with threats that "blood will flow" if the Virgin is taken forcibly from them. Bishop Guerrero thus had a second image made, a taller version of the original Baliti Virgin--and this was the image that was canonically crowned in 1956. Eventually, two more replicas were made of the image, for use in the northern and southern Pampanga towns. The 'Coronada' Virgin now remains in the Chancery, while the Baliti Virgin has its own shrine. At one point, Baliti had to suffer the stigma of being a town of selfish and possessive people, and as a result, the crowned duplicate at the Chancery is looked at and recognized as the real Patroness of Pampanga.

This book traces the beginnings (and all the drama) of the Virgen de los Remedios devotion that began in the early 1950s, and continues with unabated fervor to this day. The author, a native of Baliti, also seeks to explain that fateful moment when the town decided to withhold their image from participating in the crusade, for reasons never really brought to light. In so doing, Baliti missed having their Virgin crowned by Vatican--and lost its chance of being part of history. Through the years, there were attempts to soothe the ill feelings between the Church and the people of Baliti, but Time seems to be the best healer of wounds.

The book is replete with legends and lore about the original Virgen de los Remedios of Baliti (as it is referred to, to differentiate it from the Virgen de los Remedios of Pampanga). There are also personal anecdotes, testimonials from recipients of various miracles plus contributed articles in Kapampangan with English translations. The major drawback is the poor quality of black and white pictures--all appear washed out and pixelized. It's a pity because it would have been interesting to see the difference between the original and the replica of the Virgin. At Php1,000, it is also pricey, but local history books are so rare these days, they get snapped up real fast by major book dealers.

31. Review: KURALDAL ATLUNG ARI and LIBAD BANGKA NG APUNG IRU: Beyond the Revelry

Category: Books 
Genre: Religion & Spirituality 
Author: Nina L.B. Tomen 
Published by the NCCA, (c) 2008 

Lubao-born Nina Tomen has written a definitive book about two of Pampanga's most important religious events that are largely unknown outside the province: the Kuraldal dance ritual performed during the feast of Sta. Lucia in Sasmuan town and the fluvial procession of Apung Iru or St. Peter, the patron of Apalit, carried out during the town's 3-day fiesta beginning June 28.

The author traces the beginnings of these celebrations which may have roots in our pre-colonial times. River rites, for instance, were undertaken by natives to appease water deities while dancing for divinities is an age-old custom practiced by ethnic groups in the Philippines. The book also gives an account of the origins of the central figures of venerations--namely, the seated ivory San Pedro attired in papal regalia, as well as the smallish Sta. Lucia statue that was even referred to in Gaspar's Conquistas de las Islas Filipinas.

Apung Iru, associated with the Arnedo-Espiritu-Gonzalez families, is lovingly cared for by a succession of appointed camaderos and has its own shrine at Capalangan. It is taken out once a year for the wet and wild river procession, conveyed on a grand pagoda and escorted by an armada of gaily-decorated boats full of devotees. Revelers shower each other with water, food, candies and fruits for the duration of the 6 hour river journey.

 On the other hand, on January 6, Feast of the 3 Kings (Atlung Ari), the whole town of Sasmuan goes on a dancing frenzy before the image of Apung Lucia as chants are shouted : "Viva Apung Lucia! Pwera sakit!" (Long Live, St. Lucy! Deliver us from sickness!).

The book takes a look at the roles of organized groups (e.g. the Knights of Saint Peter of Apalit) as well as ordinary residents in perpetuating the cults of these two saints. Testimonials from different residents attesting to the miraculous powers of the images are included in one chapter. But the more interesting part delves into the validity of folk religiosity or popular piety, and how the Church views such adulterated practices and traditions today. While the writing is organized and easy to read, the treatment of pictures could have been better. Important vintage pictures are often relegated as insets the size of postage stamps.

Overall, this book is a welcome addition to the growing number of books on Kapampangan religious history, which was started by Dr. Luciano Santiago's. "Laying the Foundations: Kapampangan Pioneers of the Philippine Church" and "Edna Gueco's "O, Indu: The Virgen delos Remedios Story". Nino Tomen, whose young son died of rabies just days before the book launch, deserves our commendation for completing this book against all odds.

(27 June 2010)

23. CENTER FOR KAPAMPANGAN STUDIES: Why It's OK to be K!

Welcome to THE JUAN D. NEPOMUCENO CENTER FOR KAPAMPANGAN STUDIES (JDN-CKS) of Holy Angel University, Angeles City! Today, CKS is perhaps the most high-profile, most progressive and most complete regional study center ever to be organized in the Philippines. This is where I also moonlight as a week-end Consultant and Museum Curator, a perfect job, if you ask me. On Saturdays, I get to report for work in shorts and t-shirt, receive a salute from the school guard and even get free parking! Three hours a week, and I am done. While my advertising work in Makati pays the bill, my part-time job with the university feeds the soul..

So here we are at JDN-CKS. For a trip, a tour, a treat. Its founding began right after the university hosted the 1st International Conference on Kapampangan Studies in 2001. I remember taking a leave of absence from work and attending this conference that attracted speakers from Germany, Mexico and the U.S. For 3 days, Kapampangan scholars like Ambeth Ocampo, Prof. John Larkin (author of 'The Pampangans') and even former Huk Supremo Luis Taruc opened and engaged my mind with talks on various aspects of Kapampangan culture, history and traditions. I never realized the depth and richness of our province's heritage until that said event, and I was determined to not become "a stranger in my own paradise".

It did help that the indefatigable Director of the Center, Robby Tantingco, was a kabalen and a Baguio schoolmate--although our paths never crossed at Saint Louis, as I was ahead by a good 3 years. In no time at all, I was part of the staff of the Center, which at the very start, also included Marc Nepomuceno who provided the impetus with his pioneering work on Kapampangan genealogy and archival research, Prof. Lino Dizon (another schoolmate!), Ivan Anthony Henares, a young heritage activist from San Fernando. Lending his expertise on Kapampangan language was Michael Pangilinan (aka Siuala ning Meangubie) and the Kapampangan-speaking French geologist, Jean Christophe-Gaillard (my ina-anak sa kasal, now married to Cyril and back in Grenoble, France).

Here, in this 3 -storey building at the heart of the university campus, the Center does its business, encouraging everyone who enters to "Be a good Kapampangan to be a better Filipino".

The Center has a museum, a gallery, a library, a research center, and archive section and a theater. If a visitor is lucky, he may even be welcomed by the school rondalla!

At the Ground Floor Level, we see a special display honoring the grand old man who started it all: Juan De Dios Nepomuceno (1892-1973). Don Juan was the prime mover in helping Angeles grow into a progressive city. He established the 1st ice plant, the 1st electric plant and the 1st Catholic co-ed school. He also served as a town mayor and was a delegate to the 1935 Philippine Constitutional Assembly. As a writer, he translated English works into Kapampangan--some examples of which you will see here: "Ing Cacanan Cu Qng Aldo-Aldo" (My Daily Bread), "Ing Manual nang Oficial ning Legion of Mary" (Official Manual of the Legion of Mary), and many more.

The Ground Floor houses many interesting displays, but the focal point is definitely the Kapampangan Retablo.

The silver-panelled and gilded centerpiece was carved by local craftsmen and completed in 2002. It features carved minitaure santos representing the patrons of the province's 21 towns, as well as the images of Santo Cristo del Perdon and Virgen de los Remedios, the patroness of Pampanga.

All around, one can see informative picture panels like this one, which shows vintage photo reproductions of old Pampanga Churches from the Augustinian archives.

Thematic posters carry write-ups about local culture and traditions--from Pampanga's culinary arts to interesting footnotes to history.

Also here, one can find a glass-encased diorama that replicates a typical Kapampangan nipa house made by a local artisan.

By the entrance door, we also see brass laurel leaves used to crown poeta laureados of the province, an august group that includes J. Crisostomo Soto, Vedasto Ocampo, Amado Yuzon and Jose Gallardo.

For those wanting to buy souvenir, the modest Reception cum Gift Shop sells the Center's publications--books (Abe, Views from the Pampang, Gloria, various Kapampangan grammar books, etc), research journals (Ayala) and the popular Singsing, the center's newsletter-magazine. Those interested to hear Kapampangan songs and music can either choose Mon David's jazz albums, ArtiSta. Rita's traditional and acoustic compilations, Cris Cadiang's Kapampangan hymns or go with the more current RocKapampangan. Shirts, postcards, bone santos, key holders are also on sale here.

A door to the right leads the visitor to the Center Museum, which has, on display, archaelogical finds and artifacts from Porac, giving us a glimpse of Pampanga's pre-colonial past.

In here, one also can read up on the story of the enigmatic Macabebes and their true roles in the Philippine Revolution.

Part of the museum's permanent exhibit is the Kapampangan Timeline, a photographic mural of landmarks and landscapes in the Kapampangan Region.

Upstairs, the walls feature the 100 Faces of Kapampangans born each year of the 20th century, as well as photo collage of famous Kapampangan personalities.

Greeting you upstairs is a die-cut standee of 1926 Carnival Queen Socorro Henson of Angeles. This corner pays tribute to legendary Kapampangan beauty titlists. Note the shadow box that displays an assortment of vintage Manila Carnival medals and a real rhinestone crown from the 1920s.

Back at the Ground Floor level, we move to the left wing that houses the Library and Research Room. But first, more displays to see. Old Kapampangan ephemera can be found here--from music sheets, theater handbills, awit and corrido books.

Against the wall, one can see the death masks of Benigno Aquino Jr. and Fernando Poe Jr. as cast by National Artist Napoleon Abueva. Fernando Poe's Kapampangan roots can be traced from the Kelleys of Lubao.

 
On a more festive note, an authentic San Fernando Lantern hangs year-round at the Center.

The entrance to the Library is prefaced by a miniature working "parol", that is connected to an electric armature, which, when wound, gives the lantern its characteristic brilliant play of lights.

Upstairs, books galore--anything and everything Kapampangan is housed here. Rare books include the Philippine Encyclopedia (written by Kapampangan Zoilo Galang), the complete Blair and Robertson volumes, out-of-print reference books, books by local authors, souvenir programs and commemoratives.

Aside from books about Pampanga, the Center Library has also purchased and collected every known Kapampangan material from the National Library---including Erecciones (history of the town foundations), the Luther Parker Collection and Historical Data Papers. The jewel of the collection are the microfilm copies of Pampanga's canonical books from the Family History of the Church of the Latter Day Saints. These include available Baptismal, Marriage and Death Records from every Pampanga town--some as early as the 18th century. Those interested in constructing their family tree and genealogy will find these microfilms helpful, indeed.

To the Second Level we go. Take a few moments to appreciate the works of Kapampangan craftsmen: the old-fashioned etched glass and metal frames, boxes and ramilletes made in the traditional "pukpok" (repousse) style were created by artisans from Apalit.

Oops! What's all this mess? We used to hold office here, but as part of the expansion program, this space has been vacated to give way to our Archival Museum, which will feature the Center's most valuable and important books, documents and paper materials. This is my assignment for the year, so wish me luck! Watch this space soon...

One level up, on the Third Floor, we take a sneak peek at the Archive Section (aka Stockroom). Collections and artifacts not meant/not ready for display are stored here. This is where we also keep the donated Dr. Raymund Feliciano Albums. the peripatetic doctor-photographer who has been visually documenting the country's Semana Santa processions for nearly 20 years. The result of that undertaking are over 80 albums featuring images of santos, carrozas, churches, sacred art and related subjects from all parts of the country. The microfilms are also stored here in a temperature-control room.

Leading to the Theater, we see more "pukpok" frames containing pictures of important Kapampangan personages hanging on the wall..

The best part of the house! The uber cool and comfy Center Theater with its own state-of-the art equipment. We use this for showing films, documentaries and for various presentations and lectures.

So now what happened to our Staff House and Office? It has now been recently relocated outside of the building, a few steps away from the Center, right of the Main Entrance. You can't miss it because you'll see this hanging sign:

Dig our cubicles in vibrant shades of blue and green?

Our always-crowded work station, pardon the messy files:

Office of the JDN-CKS Director (don't mind the wallpaper and the carpet that is the color of a golf turf..;-)

There you have it--the Juan D. Nepomuceno Center for Kapampangan Studies. My office away from the office. We hope that by preserving and promoting the Kapampangan cultural and historical heritage, we can do our share and contribute to the total development of the Kapampangan people, the Filipino nation, and eventually, the global community. Do come for a visit and get treated to a generous dose of Kapampangan hospitality you'll never get anywhere else. And that includes a salute and free parking.

 Luid ya ing Kapampangan!

(12 June 2008)

4. Making a Museum: THE CKS ARCHIVAL COLLECTION

So, this is the reason why I have been on my toes every Saturday morning. I have been tasked to create a permanent museum display for the second floor of the Center for Kapampangan Studies, centering on choice pieces from our archival and historical document collection.

ON THIS SITE WILL RISE. Our former office had to be converted to an instant museum. The full lighting had to be changed and display cases had to be adjusted.

Remember this empty space vacated by the CKS office months ago? Well, it is now, slowly but surely taking shape into a museum wing that will host CKS’s valuable paper materials—from historical documents, original photos and manuscripts, rare books and other antique and vintage ephemera.

MURAL, MURAL ON THE WALL. Our resident archaelogist, Joel P. Mallari conceptualized the backdrop for the museum, which traces the history of the province’s ancient written word (Remember too, that the 1st printing press of the Philippines started in Lubao!).

 WALL PAPERED. I found these early Kapampangan newspapers--El Imparcial/E Mangabiran-- used as cabinet liners. They date from the first decade of the 1900s. I had them framed and now hang on the walls of our paper museum. Other framed newspapers that you will see include "Ing Cabbling"and "Ing Katiwala". 

The most difficult part of creating a display is always materials sourcing. As this was envisioned to be a display of our archival collection, we had to discipline ourselves and think “paper”.

 RESTING ON YOUR LAURELS. These brass laurels were used to crown the province's poet laureates and can now be seen at the museum.

 We rummaged through the donations of CKS patrons and came up with materials from the families of our poet laureates (we found original drafts of their works, written in longhand), the university’s own collection (for books and vintage pictures) and even from my own stash of paper ‘junque’.

 PASYON SHOW. This display features rare, handwritten and bound Kapampangan pasyon (loaned from Fray Francis Musni), early handwritten and printed novenas and original pages from libros bautismos, rescued from Pampanga churches.

The next step was sorting and classifying the materials under major display categories, to include Literature, Politics, Education, Religion, Industry, Leisure and Photography, among others. Creative content titles were generated per display:

O CAPTION, MY CAPTION. Resident artist-videographer Leo Calma created these exhibit titles. A lot of editing went into this phase of the work, as some clusters had a lot of materials, while others had very few. And we wanted to present a collection, not just plain accumulation.

 SCHOOL DAZE. Old textbooks, notebooks, educational materials from the American period. Note the small Rizal bust, cast from an orginal mold made by National Artist Guillermo Tolentino.

 LOOK IT UP IN THE DICTIONARY. Rare book collection includes Fr. D. Bergano's Arte de la Lengua Pampanga (both the 1863 and 1917 ed.), Kapampangan Dictionary by Luther Parker, early Doctrina Cristiana, Pampango-Tagalog-Spanish Dictionary (1915) and vintage grammar book.

 As icing to the proverbial cake, I had to add a few props to add mood to the displays. I scoured thrift shops, second hand stores and my bauls to come up with old-fashioned frames, an antique box camera, a small bust of Rizal by Guillermo Tolentino, estampitas, a fob watch, a pair of spectacle and even People Power mementos. Perfect finds, considering I had a shoestring budget.

 HISTORY IN A SNAPSHOT. Old Kapampangan album pages with photo documentations of Pampanga in the good old days. Note the antique box camera used by early photographers.

The museum is still a work in progress; some displays need to be beefed up with more materials (anyone out there with Philippine Revolutionary materials from Pampanga?), the captions aren’t in place and the museum sign has yet to be done.

AMUSING, AMAZING MUSEUM. The Center for Kapampangan Studies Archival Collection. ready for viewing by October 2008.

Nonetheless, I am personally happy with the results, and early previewers of the exhibit, I heard, were impressed by the organized displays. Next time you come to Angeles City, drop by to view our Archival Collection at the second floor of the Center for Kapampangan Studies building. And get an eyeful of our province’s rich historied past.  (30 August 2008)