Kapampangan

The language of Pampanga province and surrounding areas is very distinct from that of the Tagalog-speaking areas. It is called Kapampangan / Capampangan.

The people of Pampanga province are also called Kapampangan.

Mga Kapampangan sila.
They are Pampangueños.

Cabalen refers to a fellow Kapampangan.

A Tagalog-speaking Filipino can say, “Nandito na ang ating mga kabalen.” (“Our friends from Pampanga province have arrived.”)

Kapampangan Superstitions

Do note that Kapampangan is a Philippine language quite distinct from Tagalog. It is spoken in Pampanga province.

Mga Pamihiin Sa Pampanga

Manese kang pusa atlu kule ban datang ing suerte.
Mag-alaga ng pusa na tatlo ang kulay para magka-suwerte.
Raise a three-colored cat to allow fortune to come.

Ing dalagang babai eya dapat magpasyuk ustung bengi ban kanita eya paglolon duwendi.
Di dapat pumito ang dalaga kung gabi para hindi makursunadahan ng duwende.
A maiden must avoid whistling during the night to refrain from being wooed by dwarfs. Continue reading “Kapampangan Superstitions”

Kapampangan Riddles

Bugtong in Tagalog, Bugtung in Kapampangan

The custom of exchanging riddles prevailed in Pampango areas until World War II, when rural life and traditions were profoundly shaken. As these exchanges took place mostly at night and the rural folk had to walk back home defenseless in darkness, the custom virtually disappeared when traveling became dangerous. Continue reading “Kapampangan Riddles”

Kapampangan Proverbs

Kasabihan sa Tagalog, Casebian sa Kapampangan

A few of these proverbs or old sayings have a striking similarity to counterparts in foreign lands. “Once bitten, twice shy” is an example. As the Philippines was never completely isolated, these sayings were likely brought in by the Chinese, the Spaniards, and the Malays traveling up from south to Pampanga by way of Manila. Continue reading “Kapampangan Proverbs”