KAPAMPANGAN

LITERARY
HERITAGE
Learning Objectives:
❖ Identify key figures in Kapampangan
Journalism and Literature
❖ Explore the contributions of
Kapampangan writers and poets to
Philippine Literature
❖ Write a three-paragraph reaction
paper
 GEOGRAPHICAL BACKGROUND
Pampanga is located in the central
part of Region III. It is bounded on
the north by Tarlac and Nueva
Ecija, on the east by Bulacan,
southwest by Bataan and west by
Zambales. Its terrain is relatively flat
with only one distinct mountain,
Mount Arayat.
 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
- The name “PAMPANGA” was derived from the
native Kapampangan words “pangpang ilog”
meaning “riverside” where the early Malayan
settlements were concentrated along the Rio
Grande de la Pampanga
- Pampanga was the first province in the island of
Luzon inaugurated by the Spaniards. It was
founded on December 11, 1571.
- The inhabitants of Pampanga are
generally referred to as Kapampangan,
Pampango or Pampangueño.
- The province of Pampanga is well-
known for its rich delicacies and
cuisines. It is dubbed as the culinary
capital of the Philippines.
What are the roles of Kapampangan
during Spanish colonization?
Some historians claimed that
Kapampangan were significant in the fight
for independence and reform under
Spanish colonization. While some
battled using force, others chose to
utilize their ink and pens
The form of literature during the
Spanish and pre-colonial periods
was similar in particular with
poetry, prose, and drama. The
distinction is in the language
employed.
Linguistic Studies of Kapampangan
• Kapampangan belongs to the Malayo-Polynesian family of
languages.
• In 1946, Zoilo Hilario, a Kapampangan member of the
Institute of National Language, advocated for an
orthography based on Tagalog. Proposed substitutions
include:
- Soft "C" with "S" (e.g., cinco to sinku)
- Hard "C" with "K" (e.g., carin to karin)
- "F" with "P" (e.g., Filipinas to Pilipinas)
- Soft "V" with "B" (e.g., viuda to byuda)
- "J" with "H" (e.g., lijim to lihim)
- "QU" with "K" (e.g., quing to king)
- "X" with "KS" (e.g., examin to eksamin)
- "Z" with "S" (e.g., lapiz to lapis)
The Folklore

• Pre-Spanish Kapampangan
literature survives mainly in folklore.
• No surviving records exist due to its
oral nature and Spanish indifference.
• Scholars only began transcribing this
folklore in the 20th century.
Major Sources of Kapampangan Folklore:
• H. Otley Beyer: "Ethnography of the
Pampangan People" in the Philippine
Ethnographic Series, consisting of 120
papers on folklore, social customs, and
beliefs.
• Ricardo C. Galang: Submitted an
ethnographic study to the Philippine Studies
program at the University of Chicago in 1941.
Major Sources of Kapampangan Folklore:
• Alejandrino Q. Perez: "Pampango Folklore"
- documented 48 riddles, 99 proverbs, and
30 folksongs.
• Violeta Cortez: Thesis titled "Isang
Masusing Pag-aaral ng mga Kaalamang
Bayan sa Lalawigan ng Pampanga,"
collecting 14 place legends, 6 folk tales, 26
folksongs, and several customs and beliefs.
Kesabian (Proverbs and Sayings)

Ing malulumud pataram man

calawatan na.
(A drowning man will clutch
even a blade.)
Kesabian (Proverbs and Sayings)

Matas at mataluctuc masaldac

ya pangabaldug.
(The higher the climb, the
harder the fall.)
Kesabian (Proverbs and Sayings)

Ing asung macabaluctut butul

man e macapulut.
(A lazy dog will not find even a
bone.)
Kesabian (Proverbs and Sayings)

E ca lalapit qng api nung e ca

bisang mapali.
(Don’t come near a fire if you
don’t want to risk being burned.)
Kesabian (Proverbs and Sayings)

E mangaplas ing alang sugat.

(If there’s pain, there must me a
wound.)
Bugtung Kapampangan

Metung ya ing piluban, atlu la

reng pilwalan

BARU
Bugtung Kapampangan

Nung kapilan ke pete, kinaba

ya pa bie

KANDILA
Bugtung Kapampangan

Lalakad ya alang guguyud,

mamulai yang alang bitis

BANGKA
Bugtung Kapampangan

Malaut ya pa ing sibat,

makanganga ne ing sugat

ASBUK
Kapampangan Periodicals
• Kapampangan journalism began in 1905 with El
Imparcial/Ing Emangabiran, a bilingual tabloid
published in Bacolor, Pampanga.
• Key figures in the publication:
- Aurelio Tolentino: Publisher
- Crisostomo Soto and Felix Galura: Editors
for the Kapampangan section
- Jose Maria Rivera: First editor for the
Spanish section
Kapampangan Folksongs
• Basultu or Basulto: This folk song is
known for its lively and rhythmic
qualities and often reflects the everyday
life and cultural practices of the
Kapampangan people. (e.g., "Tinanam
kung Kamantigui”, “Atin Cu Pung
Singsing”).
Kapampangan Folksongs
• Goso: Hymns and prayers for the saints and
souls, that is a continuing tradition at
Barangay San Antonio in Mexico town before
“Undas” or “daun.” (e.g., “Goso ng Apung
Culas”)
• Pamuri: Kapampangan love song derived
from "buri" (like) (e.g., "Aro Catimmias na
nitang Dalaga").
Kapampangan Folksongs
• Tumaila: Lullabies sung by mothers to
their children. .” (e.g., “O Matas a Banwa”)
• Polosa: Unique Kapampangan style
where the singer tells a story in a form of a
song. Majority of these songs are about
funny stories and are made for
entertainment purposes. (e.g., “Abak a
Maranun”, “Ing Malsintang Berya”)
Traditional Kapampangan Performances
• Sapatya: A folk dance
from barrio Manibaug,
Porac, Pampanga. The
dance is usually
presented by the farmers
during the planting season
as an offering for a good
harvest.
Traditional Kapampangan Performances
• Zarzuela: A form of musical theater that
combines spoken word and song that
celebrates various Catholic liturgical feast.

❖ Ing Managpe: The best-known zarzuela and

the first written in Kapampangan in 1900.
❖ Alang Dios: a three-act zarzuela written in
1901.
Kapampangan literature

ALANG DIOS
BY: JUAN CRISOSTOMO SOTO
A tragic love story, “Alang Dios”
premiered at the Teatro Sabina in Bacolor
on Nov. 16, 1902, and was last staged at
Cultural Center of the Philippines in 1975.
The zarzuela drama was written in 1901.
Kapampangan culture like reverence for
parents was emphasized in the drama
“Alang Dios.”
 ABOUT THE AUTHOR

JUAN CRISOTOMO SOTO

(January 27,1867 – July 12, 1918).
He was also known as Crissot,
the “Father of Pampango
Literature.”

Soto was born in Santa Inés,

Bacolor, Pampanga to Santiago
Soto and Marciana Caballa.
CHARACTERS:

• Enrique- a poor painter, the lover of Maria

Luz in the story and the half brother of
Ramon. He is accused of stealing the
diamond crucifix of Don Andres. His
character represents LOYALTY as he looked
for Maria Luz after his released from jail.
• Maria Luz- a daughter of a wealthy man
known as Don Andres. She is involved in a
tragic love story with Enrique. Maria Luz
was forced to marry Ramon after Enrique
was put into jail. Her character represents
LOVE and STRENGTH.
• Don Andres - a wealthy old man and the
father of Maria Luz.
• Donya Cucang - step mother of Maria Luz.
She planned the arranged marriage of
Ramon and Maria Luz.
• Clara- she accused Enrique of stealing the
diamond crucifix and later on confessed
the whole truth to Enrique. She is also the
step-sister of Maria Luz.
SETTING:

13 settings and 81 scenes set in the

village of Parulog. Parulog is a
barangay in the municipality of
Bacolor, in the province of
Pampanga.
 ALANG DIOS
PLOT:
It is a tragic love story that involves Enrique, an impoverished
painter, and Maria Luz, daughter of a wealthy Don Andres. Enrique,
falsely accused of stealing a diamond crucifix belonging to the Don,
is jailed. Upon release, he learns of Maria Luz’s impending wedding
to Ramon. Meanwhile, Clara, a maid of Maria Luz, confesses to have
faked the theft that led to Enrique’s incarceration; this was too late
to stop the wedding. To prevent a duel between Enrique and
Ramon, Don Monico intervenes and reveals that Enrique and Ramon
are really half-brothers, and that Clara and Maria Luz are half-
sisters. Finally reconciled, the brothers come home to find Maria
Luz dead, leading them to exclaim, “There is no God!”.
THEME:

Working on the theme of forced marriages,

Alang Dios tells the tale of Maria Luz Generosa
who is forced by her cruel stepmother Doña
Cucang to marry Ramon.
Kapampangan Tanaga

• It is a traditional form of poetry in the

Kapampangan language, characterized by
its structured format of four lines with seven
syllables per line, often with a rhyme
scheme. This poetic form has been a part of
Kapampangan literary tradition for
centuries.
Ing pusung mapayapa
Panatag ya keng Ibpa
Ali ne pagkanulu
Kaninu mang pilatu
?

Compose a three-paragraph essay on the

following prompt:
Maria Luz was forced to marry Ramon when
Enrique was imprisoned. If you were in a similar
situation where you had to choose between
fighting for your true love and fulfilling your parents'
wishes, what would you do? Reflect on the
emotions, challenges, and possible outcomes of
each choice. How do personal values and cultural
expectations influence your decision?
Rubric:

Structure – 5 points
Content – 5 points
Originality – 5 points

TOTAL - 15 points
Sources:
https://3ccentralluzon.wordpress.com/history/pampanga/

https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/pampango-literature-
156290253/156290253

https://pdfcoffee.com/kapampangan-literature-pdf-
free.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawE6lfBleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHRjP5E5G-
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