Kapampangan Words

Pastorela The Kapampángan Christmas wouldn’t be complete without the spectacular singing of the pastorela in Mabalacat, where it is made more dramatic with their violin renditions of Latin and Greek church hymns! PASTORÉLA • (puhs-toh-REH-luh)Misa Pastorela, songs sung by the parish choir during the 9-day Simbang Béngi (nightly Christmas masses) Pastoréla of MabalacatThe Our Lady … Read more

Did you know that a famous Filipino exotic food comes from a word that means “wrap”? BÁLUT • (BAH-loot)wrapTagálog (Filipino): bálot Derived Filipino Exotic Food NameBALUT • (buh-LOOT)literally means “wrapped”, a Filipino exotic food, a fertilized developing egg embryo (usually a duck) that is boiled or steamed and eaten from the shell. It derives its … Read more

This unique Kapampángan expression attached to greetings is used to indicate a reference to God which is considered very vital in Kapampángan and biblical culture! DISPÛ • (dis-POO’)contraction of “Dios pû”, a Kapampángan expression affixed to greetings that are referenced to GodTagálog (Filipino) equivalent: Táo pô “Anybody home? There’s a person outside.” (used when knocking … Read more

Regalu How do you say “gift” in your language? REGÁLU • (reh-GAH-loo)gift, presentAlternative Forms: rigálu, digáluTagálog (Filipino): regálo EtymologyFrom Spanish regalo (“gift, present”) Derived WordPAGREGÁLU • (puhg-reh-GAH-loo)for a gift; fit to be given as a giftTagálog (Filipino): pangregálo Verb Conjugationmagregálu, mágregálu, mégregálu – to give a gift (Actor Focus)regaluan, reregaluan, régaluan – to give someone … Read more

Bisperas The Kapampángan & Tagálog word for “eve” comes from the plural Spanish word for “eve”, 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! BISPERAS • (bis-peh-RUHS)eveTagálog (Filipino): bisperás EtymologyFrom Spanish vísperas, plural of víspera (“eve”) Note: … Read more