The Philippines Today, Yesterday, and Tomorrow
Merry Christmas or Paskung Máyap ning Dispû in formal Kapampángan! This is a special formal way of saying “Merry Christmas” in the Kapampángan language. Word by word, it literally means “a good/blessed Christmas of God”. This is the shortened form of the longer greeting, “MÁYAP A PASKU NING KÉBAITAN NING DIOS PÛ!” which literally means,“a … Read more
If Pampanga is the home of the parul (Christmas lantern), the province of Tarlac on the other hand is known for its belen (nativity scene) and yearly Belenismo or the tradition/art of making belén. This spectacle of hope is another attestation to Indung Kapampángan (the Kapampángan Motherland) being the center of Christmas culture in the … Read more
On this day, December 26, in 1941 Hen. Douglas MacArthur that Manila is an “Open City” so that the Japanese can enter without causing any harm. The official calendar of the Republic of the Philippines: an almanac of Philippine commemorations enlivened with illustrations and information. –Manila: Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office, [2014]. On … Read more
Bengi It’s the longest night (or day, for our friends in the Southern Hemisphere of the year! How do you say “night” in your language? BÉNGI • (BEH-ngi)night, eveningTagálog (Filipino): gabí Kapampángan GreetingMáyap a béngi! [Kap]Magandáng gabí! [Tag]Good evening! [Eng] Derived Words:NABÉNGI / NÁBÉNGI • (nuh-BEH-ngi / NAH-BEH-ngi)last nightTagálog (Filipino): kagabí BÉNGI-BÉNGI • (BEH-ngi-BEH-ngi)every nightTagálog … Read more
Asan Last month was World Fisheries Day! How do you say “fish” in your language? ASAN • (uh-SUHN)(1) fish; (2) viandTagálog (Filipino): (1) isdâ; (2) úlam Usage NoteThe Kapampángan word asan means “fish” and is also used by upstream Kapampángans as the word for “viand” or the meat part of the meal that accompanies rice. … Read more