Kapampangan Words

The culmination of the 9-day lubénas or Kapampángan Christmas processions is the maitínis, and the maitínis of Mabalacat City is considered to be the most elaborate. MAITÍNIS • (muhy-TEE-nis)the Midnight Mass and traditional procession of lanterns and images of patron saints on Christmas Eve Maitínis of Mabalacat CityThe culmination of the 9-day lubenas or Kapampángan … Read more

Layunan This Kapampángan Christmas Eve pageant rooted in Mexico’s Las Posadas is celebrated in its own unique way! LAYÚNAN • (luh-YOO-nuhn)a traditional Christmas pageant on Christmas Eve reenacting Joseph and Mary’s search for a place to stay in Bethlehem for Jesus’ birthRoot Word: láyunTagálog (Filipino): Panunulúyan (root word: tulóy) LayúnanDuring Christmas Eve, the town of … Read more

Mata Did you know that the Philippines’ tallest Ferris wheel is located in Pampanga? How do you say “eye” in your language? MATA • (muh-TUH)eyeTagálog (Filipino): matá You may want to read: Tallest President in the Philippines Kapampangan Superstitions

Muna It’s the first day of the year! MÚNA • (MOO-nuh)to go first, be firstRoot Word: únaTagálog (Filipino): mauná (Root Word: úna) False FriendsTagálog (Filipino)MÚNA (particle indicating priority, “first, for the time being, yet”)(Kapampángan: pâ) KapampánganMÚNA (verb for “to go first, be first”)(Tagálog: mauná) Example:Kapampángan: Ini pâ!Tagálog: Itó múna!English: This one first! Kapampángan: Múná ya … Read more

Lusis The Kapampángan & Tagálog words for “sparkler” come from the plural Spanish word for “light”, but take note that this is one of several Spanish loanwords borrowed in the plural form that does not indicate any number in Kapampángan & Tagálog! LÚSIS • (LOO-sis)sparklerTagálog (Filipino): lúses / lúsis EtymologyFrom Spanish luces, plural of luz … Read more