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)
