Candido Sibal: Educator, poet, essayist and a public intellectual

Candido Sibal

(December 1, 1932 - April 19, 2016)

Educator, poet, essayist and a public intellectual

“Pagmaragul ke ing Indung Kapampangan! E makatauli king insanu man karing aliwang lalawigan king keyang panyulung king larangan ning bye moral, sosyal, king ekonomiya at magin king bye politika. Ing sangkan, atilu keti king Kapampangan ding memalen at mamuntukan a maka-Dyos, makabalen at maka-tau…” (Candido Sibal, Ing Amlat Ning Kapampangan, 1981)

Candido Sibal is a respectable educator and community servant leader. He is one of the pioneer teachers of Bamban, Tarlac during the difficult and challenging years of the 60s and 70s. Leading a few number of volunteer teachers, he served as the first principal of the then barrio elementary school of Malonzo, which is a very remote village of Bamban and later on assigned to other public schools of his town.

Idolized by many, he was considered a public intellectual by his town mates for he never runs out of wisdom to share especially for those who seek his sound advices and words of encouragement, and also to those who recognizes his dedicated teaching service.

Aside from serving his town mates as an educator, Sibal also made his pen scribbled his thoughts and wisdom in the shape of essays and poems. His “Ing Amlat Ning Kapampangan” (History of Pampanga) is a scholarly work that combines his passion with Kapampangan literature and his knowledge about local history. Indeed, this piece was able to win a second prize in the 1981-1982 annual essay contest sponsored by the Office of the Governor of Pampanga. Prior to this, he already won several other essay writing competitions, one of them being the third prize in the 1980 Don Gonzalo Puyat Memorial Awards.

Sibals’ notable contemporary essayists include Serafin D. Lacson, Felix B. Bautista, Eligio G. Lagman, Silvestre M. Punsalan, and Jose P. Fausto, who wrote from 1921 to 1941. His “Amlat” is among the more recent noteworthy essays together with “Ing Pamilyang Cristiana” (The Christian Family) by Vicente B. Catacutan of Apalit, Pampanga; and “Ing Capampangan, Napun, Ngeni, at Bukas” (The Pampango, Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow) by Vedasto D. Ocampo of Magalang, Pampanga. Most of these writers have been prizewinners in the annual literary contest sponsored by the then Gov. Estelito Mendoza of Pampanga. (JPM)

References:

Hilario-Lacson, Evangelina (1984). Kapampangan Writing, A Selected Compendium and Critique. Manila: National Historical Institute

Icban-Castro, Rosalinda (1981). Literature of the Pampangos. Manila: University of the East

Mallari, Joel P. (2010). Kawatasan: Obrang Poeta Laureado. Center for Kapampangan Studies-Holy Angel University

Manlapaz, Edna Zapanta (1981). Kapampangan Literature, A Historical Survey and Anthology. Quezon City: Ateneo de Manila University Press

v38.pdf Date accessed: April 23, 2016

camaligcapampangan Date accessed: April 23, 2016

Photo: Modified after a photograb from a facebook posting of Delfin Sibal

Kapurpurawan: Ilocos giant windrowers

Kapurpurawan

Ilocos giant windrowers

By Aleesus Manarang

It was only a few weeks back when former Vice President Al Gore visited the country. He is known to many as one of the hardcore advocates of green peace. He is very vocal in promoting the use of renewable resources as part of the needed moves of saving planet earth. And speaking of green energy producers, there stood giant sentinels of modern wind rowers at the heart of Ilocandia and one these sites is in Burgos Kapurpurawan. These are the modern windmills which were erected just a few years back to contribute in the much needed supply of electricity in the region. The construction is primarily for the generation of renewable energy by harnessing the typhoon blowing wind near the western Ilocos coastal margin. However, a big bonus of this huge physics project also brought the creation of tourism industry in the region.

In 1996, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) conducted a wind resource analysis and mapping study. It concluded that various areas in the Philippines are ideal for wind power installation. These areas include Bangui and Burgos towns in Ilocos Norte, Batanes and Babuyan Islands, which are north of Luzon and the higher interior terrain of Mindoro, Samar, Leyte, Panay, Negros, Cebu, Palawan and Eastern Mindanao. The study led to the inception of the wind farm project. NorthWind Power Development Corp. developed (and maintains and operates) the project, while Vestas Wind Systems, a Danish firm, supplied the wind turbine-generator units (WTGs) for the site, similar to those already found in Denmark. The project was to have been developed in three phases. The Kapurpurawan wind farm was commissioned in November 9, 2014 and upon its completion it became the largest wind farm in the country and in Southeast Asia, covering 600 hectares and three barangays of Burgos, namely Saoit, Poblacion and Nagsurot. The project was the first one to be nominated by the Department of Energy as eligible for the department's feed-in tariff scheme.

Ilocandia is always known for its beautiful tourist spots from the heritage and historic sites, rugged coastal margins down to the plantation of corn and tobacco. Today, the landscape is also propelled by these giant wind rowers that never fail to wow the seemingly dwarfed traveling audiences from the low ground. 

Kapampangan Pride

Kapampangan Pride

The Oxford Dictionaries defines ethnicity or ethnic group as a socially defined category based on common culture or nationality. But it does not necessarily have to include common ancestry, appearance, cuisine, dressing style, heritage, history, language, religion, symbols, traditions, or other cultural factor. On the other hand, it is constantly reinforced through common characteristics which set the group apart from other groups. A geographical perspective of study done recently, there are at least five (5) factors seen that unite the Kapampangans as one people. These are: language, territory, culture, belief system and socio-politics.

These criteria add to the deepening definition of what is an ethnicity is all about. And speaking of this term, how do this one differ with terms like citizenship and nationalism?

Nationalism, ethnicity and citizenship lie at the sensitivity of many of the societal changes that are currently transforming countries across the world. Global migration has undermined old certainties provided by the established framework of nation-states, with inward migration, cultural diversity and transnational affiliations having become established facts of life in many countries. These observable facts raise significant challenges for traditional conceptions of citizenship.

To date several socio-political and economic development and changes continue to test these set of definitions. Globalization, massive population growth, information explosion, are just among the things that continue to redefine or even erode some of the traditionally accepted templates like patriotism, identity and idea of citizenship. Hence, how do we address these types of questions and challenges? How do the multiple identities and multiple levels of belonging experienced today interact with traditional nationalist ideology? Within multicultural societies, how far do representations of cultural others still play a role in nationalist constructions of the nation? How successfully has the welfare systems of nation-states responded to the influx of migrants? The Kapampangan-speaking region is now among the favorite destinations of not only business locators but as well as the influx of job-seekers and squatters.

How have national politicians responded to the cultural diversity of their own countries and have they moved beyond the traditional logic of nationalism within their thinking? What would be their platform or political program which addresses concerns on these issues? Why are extreme right-wing parties gaining increased levels of support? Remember, the region was the cradle of these movements even in the past i.e. socialism, communism, radical protest. What social and psychological resources do citizens require in order to function effectively at the political level within multicultural democratic societies? How can the educational systems of regions like Pampanga, which have traditionally been used for nationalist purposes, be harnessed to enhance the competences needed by our memalen for successful living in multicultural societies? Angeles City and the City of San Fernando are now becoming a hot melting pot like Tarlac City. What changes need to be made to educational policies in order to ensure the effective integration of minority citizens? Do we have a program (a better one) that safeguards the rights of the Aitas (Mag-Anchis and Mag-Indis)? How about the Kapamapngans? Do we have a genuine program that caters for the prioritized appreciation of culture and intellectualization of the Amanung Siswan?

At this time of election campaign, who among the candidates and parties carry a serious program that pushes for appreciation and salvaging reforms to preserve the Kapampangan heritage – its culture and language? Do they care to review the qualification in nominating candidates for the MOKA or TOFA? Are these cultural award-giving bodies truthful to their motives? Or just part of the political thing that tires the general public every now and then? Why we cannot legislate the use of Amanung Siswan in this Kapampangan-wide region just like what the Ilocanos and the Cebuanos are doing right now? It is already specified clearly in the present constitution, regional languages are the official auxillary languages of every region. Hence Kapampangan is the official language of this region.

When will be the time for our leaders to realize how important is to be part of a family that values ‘family value’ – the essence of a good citizen of these country by being a better Kapampangan first? Can we not include these noble motives in the plataporma de gubyerno of every aspiring leader and be duly implemented by concerned officials upon elected?

E baling tawli, basta atin programa. Mayap nemang palak ing mayagap kesa kng kabud na masipag.

Aldo mayaslag kabalen!

K-Balayan

K-Balayan
Neng Joel Pabustan Mallari

Paldas ning Agostu 

 Agostu bulan dng miyaliwang kapagmasusyan. Iti ing aldo ning pamamupus ning Ramadan karing kaputul tang Muslim. Iti munaman ing bulan a mitalagang Bulan ning Amlat (o Bulan ning Kasalesayan) mula kng banwang iti ning 2012. Ing bulan a iti munaman ing tradisyunal nang masasabing Buwan ng Wika (o Buwan ng mga Wika ketang 3 banwang milabas).

Pero ing bulan a iti magsilbi ya namang bulan ning kapaldasan. Bakit mo kaya abe? Ing bulan a iti la mete deng mapilan karing matenakan a Kapampangan o makidayang Kapampangan. Ninu-ninu mo deti? 

Apurmeru ning Agostu, 2009, anyang mate ya ing melapupuring Maria Corazon Sumulong "Cory" Cojuangco-Aquino. Ing pang-11 a meging Presidenti ning bangsa na mituringan a "Woman of the Year" banwang 1986 ning Time Magazine. I Tita Cory ing makikilalang pekamumunang babaing meging presidenti keti lupalup ning Asya. Ing pangatlu o pang-apat karing Kapampangan o makidayang Kapampangan a meging presidenti ning bangsa, katuki da ri Ramon Magsaysay (ima na tau ya Betis), Diosdado Macapagal (ning Lubao) at maging ing laltong ‘unofficial president’ a Gat Andres Bonifacio (pipumpunan na kanu ken lang Masantol-Macabebe agpang keng kapanyalugsugan nang Prof.Joel Regala). Mekilala ya ing bangsa keng mapayapang People Power a paniglon da ring dakal a nasyun keti metosikluban. I Tita Cory metung yang tubu at makidayang Kapampangan ning Lalawigang Tarlac.

 Keta pamung milabas a Duminngu, a-18 ning bulan a iti naman, karin ya mipabalita at makanyan nemang mekumpirma na mete ne iJesse Robredo, ing Sekretaryu ning Interyor at Lokal a Pamagubyernu kasalungsungan. Ing mesabing sekretaryu, metung yang mayap a manungkulan ning gubyernu, metung ya karing pekamagaling a masasabing meging meyor ning Lungsud Naga, menikwang galal at mialiwang parangal pauli ning gelingan a iti anti ing 2000 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Government Service (pikabalwan bilang bersyu ning Nobel Prize keti Asya) kng gelingan na kng pamanungkulan keng gubyernu. Iya ing pekamumunang menikwa keng parangal a iti karinggang memanungkulang pulitiku keti bangsa. I Robredu metung yang half-Kapampangan at half-Chinese na tubung Bikol.

Ing a-21 na naman ning bulan a iti, aldo ning kematayan ning metung karing matuturing a modernung bayani ning panawun - i Benigno Simeon "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr. agpang keng amlat at kasalesayan, iya ing peka-anak karing meging meyor, gobernador at senador ning bangsa. Deng pamilyang Aquino kasebyan la keng pagiging matenakan. Ila deng mekilalang Aquino ning Tarlac mula kang ingkung nang i Gen. Servillano Aquino, at tatang nang i Congressman Benigno Aquino Sr. na bantug lalu na kng balen ning Concepcion. 

Kabang ing kapupusan ning bulan a iti naman, ing a-31 naman ing aldo kematayan nang Ka Eraño Manalo. Ing mesabing melapupuri, iya ing megsilbing kadwang Menibalang Pangkabilugan ning Iglesia ni Cristo, mula 1963 anggang 2009. Ketang panawun na karin ya lalung melawak ing upaya at disan ning relihiyung keti bangsa linto mibayit at migit a mekilala. Ing mesabing relihiyung iti ikwa nang mergul at miras karing dakal pang bangsa kng lipat dagat. Deng pengari nang Ka Erdy, parewu lang makidayang Kapampangan, deng de Guzman ning Pampanga at deng Manalo ning Tarlac.

Pero ing metung pang aldo ning kapaldasan a masasabi, apin ing pamagmasusi keng Buwan ng Wika. Ing pamagmasusing iti metung ya mong anting parangal keng dating Presidenti Manuel Luis Quezon, ing mibansagang ‘Ama ng Wikang Pambansa’. Makananung milyari? Ing maling pamitatag at pamangilala keng ‘wikang pambansa’ iyang megsilbing mamate keng metung pang tubung Kapampangan – ing ‘wikang pambansa’ na masasabing Tagalog-based a Filipinu na memate keng inawa ning Amanung Siswan. Balang banwa, balang Agostu marapal tang daraptan ing paten la ring amanung Pilipinu ning bangsa anti ing Cebuanu, Ilokanu, Bikolanu, deng Mag-Agtsi at Mag-Indi da ring Ayta kekatamu at dakal pa para mu ipasyag ing Tagalug na pagkamalyan tamung Filipinu.

Kabang agpang keng batas, keng kasalungsungang konstitusyun, deng opisyal a lengwahi ning bangsa ilapin deng amanung Inglis at Filipinu, at ing pambansang lengwahi naman apin ing Filipinu – ing lengwahing mabubuu e mu ibat keng Tagalug nunge manibat karing miyaliwang salita keti Pinas lalu na karing mangaragul nang lengwahi nung nu ya kayabe ing tubung Kapampangan. Ing balang gatpanapun na sana ning balang aldo, ning balang bulan at banwa, e sana magsilbing anting paldas na namu ning kabilyan ning Kapampangan. Nung makananung deng dakal a matenakan a Kapampangan makanyan lang mangibuwis gelingan at kayapan para keng balen at bangsa, dapat mung e munaman makakalingwan iti. Uling maging kapaldasan nemu rugu ing kekatamung amanu na pitataluntunan ning gelingan da ring tubu at dayang Kapampangan at Pilipinu.

Maupayang bulan ning Agostu!

Poet Quiboloy to be honored

Poet Quiboloy to be honored
A Kapampangan poet laureate from Lubao who died in 1999 will be honored by the Center for Kapampangan Studies when it unveils his laurel crown on January 14 at ten o’clock in the morning. The late poet’s family and friends will be joined by CKS officials and local poets in the ceremonies.

Born in 1911 in Sta. Catalina, Lubao, DelfinTurlaQuiboloy was an educator who became a prolific poet and playwright in the 1960s until the 1980s. In 1964 he and other poets founded the Aguman Ding TalasulatKapampangan. In 1969 the United Poet Laureates International headed by Amado Yuzon honored him for his contributions to world poetry in general and Kapampangan literature in particular.
In 1977 he was elected president of the Aguman, and the following year he launched the annual Don Gonzalo Puyat Memorial Awards for Pampango Literature, through the assistance of Senate President Gil J. Puyat.
His poem entitled “IndungKapampangan” won first prize in a poetry writing contest in 1981 during the celebration of Pampanga Day. With another poet laureate, Jose Gallardo, he published the book “Kuriro at Kawatasan.” By the time he died in 1999 he had written more than 200 poems, novels and zarzuelas.
Quiboloy was a town mate and contemporary of DiosdadoMacapagal and Rogelio de la Rosa, who were also poets and zarzuelistas before they became politicians.
The tribute is a partnership between Holy Angel University and Quiboloy’s family led by his son Dante, who lives in the US.

Kapampangan cookbook out soon

Kapampangan cookbook out soon

A milestone in culinary publishing will soon be achieved with the publication of a cookbook that finally showcases traditional dishes in the so-called culinary capital of the Philippines, the province of Pampanga.

“Atching Lillian’s Heirloom Recipes: Romancing the Past through Traditional Calutung Capampangan” features the family heirloom recipes of Lillian Mercado-Lising Borromeo, noted culinary expert from Mexico town.

The book, published by The Center for Kapampangan Studies (CKS), will be launched on Wednesday, December 7 at the Café Juan, Holy Angel University.

According to Joel Mallari, CKS researcher and the book’s editor, the publication is a milestone because it is the first Kapampangan cookbook about little-known folk dishes found in the countryside instead of the usual colonial-inspired dishes that Kapampangans have become known for.

The book introduces traditional dishes like “lagat tucud-banua,” “sabo bulung bonifacio,” “bangus sasmuan,” “zarzuela ning malat,” “bulanglang itu,” “sabo banging nasi,” “bobotung asan,” “talunan manuc,” “paksing demonyu,” “sabo tacsyapu na,” “tinolang tugak,” “kapeng gugulisak,” and many more.

CKS Director Robby Tantingco said the book also contains recipes of the favorite dishes of Kapampangan poet-politician Don Monico Mercado and revolutionary hero Gen. Maximino Hizon, who are among Lillian Borromeo’s forebears.

“The Center collaborated with Atching Lillian because her unique recipes represent a cultural heritage that is fast disappearing,” Tantingco said. “Kapampangan cooking reveals what kind of people we are and what experiences we went through in the past. This is a book not only for every Kapampangan but also for every non-Kapampangan who has tried our cuisine and fallen in love with it.”

For inquiries, contact Myra Lopez at 0920 425 8711 or email kapampangancenter@gmail.com.

BenCab, Del Corro to get HAU cultural awards

BenCab, Del Corro to get HAU cultural awards

Holy Angel University (HAU) has chosen a National Artist and a top linguist as recipients of the first Juan D. Nepomuceno Cultural Awards.

Benedicto ‘BenCab’ Cabrera, 2006 National Artist for Visual Arts, and Anicia H. del Corro, noted linguist and lexicographer, will receive special University medals of honor on March 8, birth anniversary of HAU founder Juan D. Nepomuceno.

BenCab will be honored “for his outstanding achievement in arts and culture” and Del Corro “for her outstanding contribution in Kapampangan research and scholarship.”

The cultural awards are given in honor of the HAU founder, who was himself an advocate of Kapampangan culture. He wrote Kapampangan plays and translated books into Kapampangan during his time.

He founded Holy Angel Academy in 1933 and served as its President from 1938 to 1973. The University’s Center for Kapampangan Studies also bears his name.













BenCab is a full-blooded Kapampangan whose parents hailed from sasmuan, while Del Corro, also a full-blooded Kapampangan, comes from the Hizon clan of Mexico.

“He is the best-known and best-selling living visual artist in the Philippines,” Robby Tantingco, Director of the Center for Kapampangan Studies, says. “His works are always attuned to historical transitions and social landscapes. His work with the Cordillera arts and traditions inspires artists and cultural workers all over the country, including Kapampangans.”

On the other hand, Del Corro’s research on Kapampangan morphophonemics and Kapampangan lexicography has raised the standards of Kapampangan linguistics studies, Tantingco says. “She is a tireless advocate of multi-lingual, mother tongue-based instruction, which is what we need to raise our grade school pupils’ comprehension skills.”

The Juan D. Nepomuceno Cultural Awards are given annually by Holy Angel University. They come in two categories: culture and the arts, and research and scholarship.