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Swam na Mais
Swam na mais is a native Kapampangan soup. It is flavored either the native corn or japanese corn, dahon ng sili or dahon ng malunggay.
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Jun-Jun's
One of the top selling and affordable restaurants in Pampanga is the Jun-Jun's Barbeque and Bibaingka. It is located along Mc Arthur Highway in Dolores, City of San Fernando. You will surely love the taste of Sisig and their barbeque sauce. |
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D Farm Resort
D Farm is a private resort, a park and a farm rolled into one. It’s a perfect place for lovers of nature, peace and tranquility, located in San Isidro Bacolor, in the province of Pampanga.
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| ABOUT |
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The Kapampangan People
Early Kapampangans, believed to have started migrating to the Kapampangan region as early as 300 to 400 A.D, and many of them arrived in the 11th to the 12th century, were descendants of Malayan adventurers from the Malay Peninsula and Singarak Lake in West Sumatra. They settled along the river banks of the Rio Grande de la Pampanga in the Island of Luzon covering a large territory which extended to the Gulf of Lingayen in the North, to the Zambales mountains in the West, to the Sierra Madre range in the East and to Manila Bay in the South. These Kapampangan-speaking pioneers transplanted their own dynasty based on the social foundations of liberty and economic prosperity. Like their other Malayan brothers who settled in other parts of the world, they belonged to the brown race, of medium height, slim but sturdy in physique, dark brownish eyes, black hair and with almost hairless bodies. They brought their culture and introduced industries such as smelting and manufacture of copper and iron tools and armaments, making of pottery with decorative designs, art of weaving cloth on a hand loom, manufacture of beads, bracelets, necklaces and other ornaments. They resided in houses made of bamboo and wood, with roofs of palm leaves. They wore clothes of woven fabrics and decorated themselves with jewels of gold, beads, pearls and colored stones and glasses. Their armaments included bolos, daggers, swords, bows and arrows, blowguns and spears. Their adaptability and resiliency made it possible for them to adjust themselves to Philippine environmental conditions and amplified their culture – arts, customs, government, law, religion, sciences, society and traditions.
Centuries before the arrival of the Spanish conquerors, Kapampangans were already in contact with the outside world by trading with Chinese, Japanese and Hindus. The good business relation with these Asian neighbors was not limited to commercial affair because the relationship extended to marital relations with native Kapampangans that is why many Kapampangans nowadays are of mixed Asian ancestry.
Many Chinese immigrants who moved out of Manila decided to settle in neighboring towns and married native women. Many Kapampangans today have family names like Ang, Chan, Cheng, Chingcuangco, Chu, Chua, Go, Goseco, Gosioco, Gueco, Ho, Lau, Lee, Mangio, Ng, Songco, Tan, Tang, Tanhueco, Tanjangco, Tanjuakio, Tanjuangco, Tiongco, Wang, Wong, Yang, Yap, Uy, etc.
The interracial crossing of Chinese and Kapampangans and other ethnic Filipinos produced a mixed breed of descendants capable of accelerating a nation’s growth in terms of economy, politics, culture, etc., resulting from the blending of the courage and resiliency of the Malay stock and the frugality and sagacity of the yellow race.
China's influences were primarily economic and social. Kapampangans and other Filipinos in general, learned the Chinese way of roasting pigs, the brewing of tea for drinking and the cooking of such dishes as lumpia, pansit, mami, tsapsoy and ukoy. The use of appetizers like tauri and toyo originated from China and so with the cultivation of certain vegetables such as petsay, upo, bataw, etc.
In 1571, the Spanish conquistadores heard of the Kapampangan progressive civilization when their conquest of the Maynilad (Manila) and Tondo kingdoms was accomplished. The Spaniards came upon the Kapampangan people with a rich culture, literature and an alphabet of their own. The Kapampangans were described then to be the most warlike and prominent ethnic group in the Philippines. To defend themselves from Spanish invasion, they fortified the mouths of the rivers leading to their territories.
Spanish colonialism had for its principal purpose of converting the natives whom they called indios to Christianity. The Christian cross was so powerful in converting the riverside Muslim communities. Kapampangan members of the Roman Catholic Church normally attend official church services such as masses, novenas, baptisms, confirmations, weddings, religious processions and funeral services.
One unifying force that calls for community solidarity is the annual town or barangay fiesta, which is celebrated in honor of a patron saint. Festivities and abundance of food characterize fiestas. A fiesta generally includes a mass, a colorful parade, a lively amateur singing contest, an entertaining stage show, a dinner- dance, crowning of beauty queens and princesses, sports tournaments, cockfights, carnivals, etc. Kapampangans, who are well known for their hospitality and skill in the art of cooking and baking, open their homes during fiestas and entertain their guests.
Christmas celebration starts nine days before Christmas. Kapampangan Roman Catholic members attend nine early morning masses (misa de gallo). Lanterns are hanged in homes and Christmas carols are sung. On Christmas eve, a midnight mass is celebrated and after the church service, the families have traditional dinners called "noche buena". The family dinner is followed by the exchange, distribution and opening of Christmas gifts.
In the city of San Fernando, the former provincial capital, an annual giant lantern contest is held every 24th of December. Multi-colored lanterns as big as 30 feet in diameter and with thousands of electric bulbs are mounted on big trucks and paraded in town main streets accompanied by marching bands. The Philippine Board of Tourism which sponsors the yearly giant lantern contest displays the winning entries at the Paskuhan Village, Luneta Park in Manila and sometimes in other foreign countries during the Yuletide season. Christmas day is spent for reunions and visiting. Children pay their respect to their relatives and godparents. Kissing the hands of parents, elder relatives and godparents symbolizes traditional respect, loving and caring.
The Lent season is observed by reading or chanting the Passion of Jesus Christ. A re-enactment of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ is held on Good Friday in barrio San Pedro Cutud of San Fernando. In most Catholic parishes, religious processions along the streets bordering the parish churches are held. Members of religious organizations such as the Knights of Columbus, Legion of Mary and Cursillos in Christianity participate in religious processions. Masses are celebrated on Easter Sundays and other religious activities take place such as the burning of the image of Judas and the meeting (salubong) of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary.
The Spanish and American colonizers made also a tremendous impact on the economic, political and family lives of many Kapampangans. It is not uncommon to see many Spanish-American-Kapampangan mestizos in several towns of Pampanga resulting from inter-racial marriages. |
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