Memorable Kapampangans PDF

1  Kapampangan poet Amado Gigante (seated) gets his gold laurel crown as the latest poet laureate of Pampanga; Dhong Turla (right), president of the Aguman Buklud Kapampangan delivers his exhortation to fellow poets NEWSBRIEFS of November. Museum cur...

1  Kapampangan poet Amado Gigante (seated) gets his gold laurel crown as the latest poet laureate of Pampanga; Dhong Turla (right), president of the Aguman Buklud Kapampangan delivers his exhortation to fellow poets NEWSBRIEFS of November. Museum curator Alex Castro explained that early Kapampangans had their wakes, funeral processions and burials PIESTANG TUGAK The City of San Fernando recently held at POETS’ SOCIETY photographed to record their departed loved the Hilaga (former Paskuhan Village) the The Aguman Buklud Kapampangan ones’ final moments with them. These first-of-its-kind frog festival celebrating celebrated its 15 th anniversary last pictures, in turn, reveal a lot about our Kapampangans’ penchant for amphibian November 28 by holding a cultural show at ancestors’ way of life and belief systems. cuisine. The activity was organized by city Holy Angel University. Dhong Turla, Phol tourism officer Ivan Anthony Henares. Batac, Felix Garcia, Jaspe Dula, Totoy The Center participated by giving a lecture Bato, Renie Salor and other officers and MALAYA LOLAS DOCU on Kapampangan culture and history and members of the organization took turns lending cultural performers like rondalla, reciting poems and singing traditional The Center for Kapampangan Studies, the choir and marching band. Kapampangan songs. Highlight of the show women’s organization KAISA-KA, and was the crowning of laurel leaves on two Infomax Cable TV will co-sponsor the VIRGEN DE LOS new poets laureate, Amado Gigante of production of a video documentary on the Angeles City and Francisco Guinto of plight of the Malaya Lolas of Mapaniqui, REMEDIOS POSTAL Macabebe. Angeles City Councilor Vicky Candaba, victims of mass rape during World COVER Vega Cabigting, faculty and students War II. The project is being supervised by attended the affair. Sonia Soto, KAISA-KA president, based on A first-of-its-kind a project proposal by Tonette Orejas of commemorative Infomax. The Malaya Lolas were abducted cover featuring and then raped by Japanese soldiers after the Baliti image witnessing the massacre of their menfolk. of Virgen de los With only 70 members remaining, they are Remedios, asking the Japanese Government for a Patroness of Pampanga, was recently public apology. launched in cancellation ceremonies held at the Center for Kapampangan Studies. Archbishop Paciano B. Aniceto, DD, Asst. Postmaster-General Diomedio Villanueva, PhilPost Region III Director UNDAS EXHIBIT Amelia Cunanan graced the affair. The A photo exhibit entitled Kematen was the project is a brainchild of Jorge Henson featured attraction at the Center for Cuyugan, President of the Philippine Stamp Kapampangan Studies gallery for the month Collectors Society. 2  RECENT Center co-produces V I S I TO R S ArtiSta.Rita CD AUGUST ArtiSta. Rita, the Luis Lorenzo, Secretary sensational singing group from Sta. of Agriculture Rita, Pampanga, in cooperation with Rep. Oscar Moreno, the Center for Kapampangan Misamis Oriental Studies, recently launched a Yeng Guiao, Board Member L. LORENZO compact disc of 11 traditional and Clayton Olalia, former Pamp. four contemporary Kapampangan Vice Governor songs. The group’s director, Andy Jay Sonza, TV/radio personality Alviz, said that the CD aims to make Elwood Perez, film Kapampangan songs accessible to director today’s sophisticated listeners. Lush Mayor Babes Evangelista, orchestration and soaring vocals Candaba have given folk songs, rarely sung Leopoldo Valdes, Jr. and often taken for granted, a new Frankie Villanueva refreshing spin. The pop O. MORENO inspirational song, Kapampangan SEPTEMBER Ku, composed by Alviz, features Ricardo Trota Jose vocals by well-known Kapampangan Rep. Jesli Lapus, 3rd District Tarlac artists Nanette Inventor, Jeff Dr. Ronald Post, US Arcilla, Michael de Mesa and Embassy Mon David. Tony Perez, SpiritQuest The ArtiSta. Rita CD is a worthy follow-up to the groundbreaking CD Pamalsinta Dr. Jaime Veneracion qng Milabas, produced three years ago by the Sapni nang Crissot, and an alternative to Ramon Zaragoza, the spate of pirated Kapampangan CDs flooding the sidewalks today. Last December antique collector 22, a formal launching was held at Villa Epifania in Sta. Rita, attended by such luminaries Councilor Louie Reyes, as Prof. Randy David, film director Marilou Diaz Abaya, Levi Laus, Rep. Oscar R. ZARAGOZA Angeles City Rodriguez and others. HAU President Bernadette Nepomuceno delivered a message, Kathleen Crittenden while Alviz thanked the University for its support. The project’s musical directors are Dom Martin de Jesus H. Gomez,OSB Recy Pineda, Randy del Rosario, Gie Lansang and Hancel Lapid. Archt. Augusto Villalon The CDs can be purchased at the Center for Kapampangan Studies and other Bishop Leopoldo Tumulak, major outlets. For orders, call (045) 888-8691, or email [email protected] or text at DD 0918 941 8599. Fr. Gabriel Casal Fr. Roy Rosales Willie Layug, sculptor Fr. Gaspar Sigaya, OP, Kapampangan Research Journal Manaoag Museum RICO JOSE The maiden issue of Alaya: Kapampangan Regalado Trota Jose Research Journal has been released by the Center. Edited by Prof. Lino Dizon, the journal features OCTOBER, NOVEMBER articles on the Historical Data Papers (HDP), Bayani Fernando, saniculas biscuit, the Philippine Revolution in MMDA Chairman Pampanga, former towns of Tarlac, the Pampanga Bishop Raul Q. Martinez, furniture industry and the resettlement Antique phenomenon in Bacolor. Aside from Prof. Dizon, Efrain Soto, Sapni nang the contributors include Dr. John Alan Larkin, Crissot Dr. Niels Beerepoot, Dr. Jean-Christophe Gaillard, Fray Francis Musni, OSA and Erlita Victoriano Dungca, J. SONZA intl. airline consultant Mendoza. Malu Rivera, PLDT Makati Reviews of books published by the Center Faculty, Siena College Taytay, Rizal for Kapampangan Studies are also included in the Dr. Linda Andaya, issue; reviewers include Nick Joaquin, Dr. Jaime Univ. of Pangasinan Veneracion, Fr. Jose Arcilla, SJ, Fr. John Dr. Catalina Felicitas, Schumacher, SJ and Dr. Randolf David. There Pangasinan State Univ. is also a write-up on the First International Dr. Juanita Anoc, Conference on Kapampangan Studies held at Holy Pangasinan State Univ. Angel University two years ago. Marino Repalda, Dagupan B. FERNANDO The editorial board of the refereed journal City is composed of Dr. Dante Canlas, Dr. Eusebio Dizon, Dr. Emmanuel Ramos, Dr. Msgr. Jose Barrion, Pakil, Laguna Rodolfo Tamayo, Jr., Dr. Randolf David, Dr. Jean-Christophe Gaillard and Dr. Noel Lopez Catacutan, AAP John Larkin. For queries, please contact (045) 888-8691 loc. 1311, or email at [email protected]. 3 National Convention of Church Heritage Workers “Protect the churches!” Convention delegates marvel at the restored retablo inside Bacolor church; below, animated discussions at the conven- tion venue in HAU as well as inside the Betis church THE Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Among the speakers were Philippines (CBCP), through its Permanent Architect Augusto Villalon, Prof. Committee for the Cultural Heritage of the Regalado Trota Jose, Dom. Bernardo Church, called on the faithful to protect their Ma. Perez, OSB, Atty. Rose Angeles and old churches against burglars, antique Faustino Ramos of the PNP. The smugglers and destruction by natural and Kapampangan lecturers were Fr. Pablo manmade causes. David, Prof. Lino Dizon and Fray Francis At the recent Third Biennial Musni, OSA. National Convention of Church Cultural The convention’s guest speaker, Heritage Workers hosted by the Archdiocese Archbishop Francesco Marchisano, of San Fernando, Pampanga and held at President of the Pontifical Commission for Holy Angel University in Angeles City, the Cultural Heritage of the Church, failed Bishop Leopoldo S. Tumulak, DD of to come as he was elevated to Cardinal by Tagbilaran, who chairs the said CBCP Pope John Paul II right on the convention’s committee, appealed to more than 100 opening day. delegates from the country ’s 70 Archbishop Paciano B. Aniceto, archdioceses and dioceses to be the DD of San Fernando, welcomed the guardians of the Church’s cultural patrimony. delegates and announced the creation of The convention tackled issues such an archdiocesan commission on church as church renovations, antique trafficking, heritage which will, among other tasks, role of clergy and laity in managing church provide technical assistance to parishes property, and the perennial debate of undertaking church renovations. He apostolate versus aesthetics. The speakers appointed the Director of the Center for urged dioceses and parishes all over the Kapampangan Studies as first member of country to set up their own museums, the commission. libraries and archives not only as haven for The delegates toured Bacolor church artifacts but as instruments of church, which was half-buried by lahar in declared a national treasure; Sasmuan evangelization. 1995; the Betis church, which was recently church, now undergoing renovation; Lubao church, recently renovated; Minalin church, which contains centuries-old murals; the Archdiocesan Museum; and Sto. Tomas church, also recently renovated. The delegates were warmly welcomed by parish priests and parish pastoral councils. 4  Intercultural show Traditional Japanese dancer performs at the Center Einojoh Senju of the Hanayagi School of Dance recently performed traditional Japanese dances at the Center for Kapampangan Studies. Einojoh Senju heads the Senju Ryu or the Senju School of Classical Japanese Dance, and is the founder of the Senju Buyodan or Senju Classical Japanese Dance Group whose aim is to make elegant classical Japanese dance more appealing to a wider audience. The group’s most recent performance was at the Lawiswis, a cultural show Tarlac Rep. Jesli A. Lapus and Dr. Ronald J. Post at the book launching sponsored by the City of Manila. On hand to annotate and Tarlaqueños, Pampangans translate the proceedings were Kapampangan historian Siuala ding co-publish book Meangubie, Nakano Takuya (iaido, ka- Prof. Lino Dizon’s Mr. White: A Thomasite History of Tarlac rate, musician, architectural designer) and Lt. Commander Fukuda Takashi (WWII Province 1901-1913, co-published by the Center for Tarlaqueño historian, iaido instructor, Phil. Coast Guard Studies and the Center for Kapampangan Studies, was recently and Air Force). launched at Holy Angel University. Dr. Ronald J. Post, Counselor Kaye Mayrina Lingad, Public Re- for Public Affairs of the US Embassy, and Rep. Jesli A. Lapus of lations Officer of the Center for Tarlac’s Third District led guests who included scholars, government Kapampangan Studies, organized and leaders and academics from Tarlac and Pampanga. Dr. Ricardo Trota emceed the show in cooperation with the Mr. Jose, chair of the UP History Department, read his book review, while White Fr. Raul de los Santos, parish priest of Magalang, read the review Municipality of Mabalacat. of Fr. John Schumacher, SJ. HAU President Bernadette M. Nepomuceno delivered the welcome remarks. At DepEd convocation Center urges schools not to penalize students who speak Kapampangan Elementary and high school students who declamation piece entitled “I am a speak their native language should not be Kapampangan” as well as CDs of a 12- made to pay a fee as a punishment, Robert minute audio-visual presentation on the his- Tantingco, Director of the Center for tory and culture of Kapampangans. Kapampangan Studies, said in his speech The convocation was sponsored by before 5000 public school teachers and ad- the Department of Education Region III Di- ministrators celebrating Pampanga Day. vision of Pampanga, headed by Superinten- He said schools should instead en- dent Rosalinda G. Luna, CESO IV. Gov. Lito courage their students to learn as many lan- Lapid also came to greet the jampacked au- guages as they can to equip them for a world dience at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Cen- that is becoming multi-lingual. He also urged ter. schools to include Kapampangan Studies in Tantingco also called on teachers their syllabi, and to start local museums by to lead their students in a campaign to learn collecting documents and artifacts from their more about Kapampangan history and cul- community. ture. “To be better Filipinos, we have to be Tantingco distributed copies of a good Kapampangans first,” he said. 5 Translation of Huseng Batute’s Gloria Kapampangans, Tagalogs launch book The book Gloria: Roman Leoncio’s Kapampangan Translation of Huseng Batute’s Verse Novel, Lost and Found, published by Holy Angel University and co-edited by Ambassador Virgilio Reyes, Jr. and the Center for Kapampangan Studies, was launched last October 23 at the Department of Foreign Affairs. The guest speaker, the late Secretary of Foreign Affairs Blas Ople, cited the cultural convergences among Tagalogs and Kapampangans, while President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, in a message read by her daughter Luli Arroyo, congratulated the Tagalog-Kapampangan team that produced the book. The Center mounted an exhibit at DFA showing the intertwining cultures and histories of the two ethno-linguistic tribes. This theme was also reflected in the program which featured crissotan and balagtasan, performed respectively by students of Del Carmen Elementary School and veteran poets from Pampanga. The book contains the original Tagalog narrative poem of Jose Corazon de Jesus (a.k.a. Huseng Batute) and the Kapampangan translation by Leoncio, an obscure poet from Guagua in the 1920s. Annotations were made by Dr. Albina Peczon Fernandez, Prof. Lino Dizon, National Artist Virgilio Almario and Dr. Lourdes Vidal. Reviews were contributed by National Artist Nick Joaquin (in Philippine Graphic), Lito Zulueta (in the Philippine Daily Inquirer) and Dr. Bienvenido Lumbera (who read it during the program). Top: Dr. Bienvenido Lumbera as book reviewer; Ms. Luli Arroyo read the message of her mother President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Left: The late DFA Secretary Blas Ople, Ms. Arroyo, Ambassador Virgilio Reyes Jr., HAU President Bernadette Nepomuceno and Senator Rodolfo Biazon Below: Kapampangan poets perform crissotan 6  99 KAPAMPANGANS WHO MATTERED IN HISTORY, AND WHY Some well known, others not at all, these are some of the Kapampangans who expressed the great themes of their times and who made an impact on the world around them, and on the generations beyond theirs, representing the best, sometimes the worst, qualities in us all. 7  1. Malangsik 2. Pansonum 3. Pande Pira Because he and his kin Because his last will Because his works shaped organized pre-colonial defined the vast ancient Kapampangan Kapampangan society Kapampangan region warfare and agriculture Prince Balagtas was the Tagalog- Christened Francisco Malang Pande (Panday in Tagalog, meaning Kapampangan sovereign of the Balagtas, Pansonum was a direct “smith”) Pira ( Pilac, “silver ”), a Madjapahit Empire who came to Luzon descendant of the Madjapahit rulers of Kapampangan from Capalangan, Apalit, from Malang, east central Java, in 1380 Luzon, Malangsik being his father and made cannons, farm implements and to start a dynasty. He married a Bornean Prince Balagtas his grandfather. He other weapons for local chieftains like princess, Panginoan; they had three lived in Tambugao in Calumpit, Bulacan Tarik Soliman. His products, such as children: Malangsik (who married first shortly after the arrival of the Spaniards. kampit (knife), palang (bolo for clearing cousin Mandik), Dapat-magmanuk He died on March 21, 1589 at the San thicket), panabud (bolo for chopping (who married Monmon) and Carlos mission in Pangasinan, leaving wood), sudsud (plowshare), talibung Makayabongdili. Malangsik ruled the behind a will that described in great (scabbard), sundang (dagger) and lepia Kapampangan region in the late 1400s detail the Kapampangan territory (which (moldboard), were of such superior and early 1500s. His sister-in-law, he claimed was his property) that quality that he was recruited as official Monmon, is said to have founded extended all the way to Ituy (Cagayan cannon-maker of Spain for the colony. Bakulud (before landlord Guillermo Valley) and present-day Carmen, When he died in 1576, Spanish officials Manabat organized it into the pueblo Rosales, San Quintin, Umingan and wrote their King that “no one among Bacolor with the help of Spaniards in Balungao in Pangasinan (formerly of us can take his place.” But his art 1574); Malangsik’s descendant Nueva Ecija, which in turn was formerly spread to places like Taal and Balisong Kapitangan and his wife Bayinda of Pampanga); Baler in Tayabas (later in Batangas; Meycauayan, Bulacan; founded Apalit. When the Spaniards Aurora); Tarlac, Bataan and portions of Orion, Bataan; Calasiao, Pangasinan; came in 1571, they found several heavily Zambales and Bulacan. The present-day Santa, Ilocos Sur; Cabagan, Isabela— populated settlements with organized descendants of Pansonum’s great clan places where the craft has survived societies, such as Kandaue (Candaba), include Kapampangans and Tagalogs even to this day. Purak (Porac), Macabebe, Baba (Lubao), with the surnames Musngi, Dumandan, Reference: The Province of Pampanga and its Towns (A.D. 1300-1962) by Mariano A. Pinpin (Sta. Ana), Betis, Uaua (Guagua) Lumanlan, Madlangbayan, Salalila, Henson. Angeles City. and Balayan ning Pambuit (Arayat). Gatbonton, Gatmaitan, Gatdula, Indeed, Malangsik and his kin can be Capulong, Soliman, Lakandula and credited for having organized Macapagal. Kapampangan society starting in the 14th century. Reference: The Province of Pampanga and its Towns (A.D. 1300-1962) by Mariano A. Reference: The Province of Pampanga and its Henson. Angeles City; also Luther Parker Towns (A.D. 1300-1962) by Mariano A. Henson. Collection. Angeles City; also Luther Parker Collection. Prehistoric Kapampangans and their weapons of war by Joel Pabustan Mallari Taram is the Kapampangan term Kapampangans were known not only for Tundun (now Tondo) led by Tarik Suliman for the adjective sharp and the noun blade, their ingenuity in making weaponry but also of Macabebe challenged the invading examples of which are sundang, palang, for their military prowess, and for this reason Spaniards. Later, Spanish master-of-camp tulipas, sisip, bangkuku, sibat, palatio, they were much feared among prehistoric Martin de Goiti encountered strong talibung, etc.; mangatapang, on the other tribes and much sought after by colonizers resistance from the belligerent hand, may be associated with visionaries recruiting augmentation troops. Kapampangans of Betis when they and fighters for freedom because it In 1571, the original battle of penetrated the interior of the province. The connotes bravery. Indeed, Bangkusay on the north of Pasig and near Spaniards, according to chroniclers, were surprised to encounter strong fortifications and advanced weaponry in the settlements along the Pampanga River. After pacifying them, the Spaniards, thousands of miles away from Spain and strapped of cash and equipment, began to depend on Kapampangans for their fine craftsmanship in household, industrial and military Pre-colonial cannon called lantaka, left, implements, as well as for their brave and the Spanish-made cannon, right (Discovering Philippine Art in Spain) 8 4. TARIK SOLIMAN Because he refused to kowtow to white men; because he was smart enough to discern the Bible- quoting invaders’ true motives; because he dared to stop the tidal wave of colonialism sweeping the continent in the 16 th century; because he challenged an entire Spanish armada to preserve and defend civilization as he knew it; and because he was the first Filipino to show that the nation’s freedom was worth dying for By Robby Tantingco Hundreds, maybe thousands, of years were partly anito-worshippers, partly before the Spaniards came, the central plain Muslim converts. “Their houses are in Luzon island was already populated with filled with wooden and stone idols… Kapampangans and Tagalogs, as well as for they had no temples,” wrote a with dark-skinned Aetas who lived mostly Spanish chronicler in 1590 (Blair & in the forests of the surrounding mountains. Robertson, XXXIV, p. 378), while The pre-Hispanic Kapampangans were land- another reported that “(Pampanga) tillers and seafarers who traded with China had two rivers, one called Bitis and and sailed to neighboring kingdoms. They the other Lubao, along whose banks Acrylic painting by Joel Mallari soldiering. to fortify Intramuros against points. In Lubao, by the way, pieces of Archaeological and ethnographic Chinese pirate Lim Ah Hong and black-and-white decorated jars dating evidences reveal that expert potters, later against the Dutch and British back to Sung (AD 960-1279) and Ming weavers and ironsmiths in Pampanga invasions. The timber must have (AD 1279-1368) Periods were found. played a role in defining social classes. The come from indigenous species of Other archaeological sites in legendary Pande Pira of Apalit was apalit, bulaun, betis, balacat, dau, Candaba, Guagua and Mexico all recruited to equip the walled city of calantas, balibagu, tarlak , etc. apparently indicate patterns of pre- Intramuros; he set up a foundry for thriving in the foothills of Mount Spanish settlements. cannons and other artillery for the Pinatubo in Porac, Angeles, When Tarik Suliman faced the defense of Menila (now Manila), Mabalacat, Bamban and Capas; the Spanish ships in Bangkusay in 1571, founded at the same time as Pampanga. logs may have been transported he had with him not only his valor He invented the lantaka, a small cannon through Abacan River, Sacobia River and his hotheaded audacity, but also that could be rotated or maneuvered at and Pasig-Potrero River down to Betis the products of best Kapampangan any desired angle and direction during River (now Guagua-Pasak River) and technology at the time— lantaka, battle. He was also asked by the Pampanga River and into the bay in sundang, talibung, sibat, bangkuku Adelantado (Legazpi) to manufacture Macabebe (part of which later became and all sorts of palang, which my lantakas for galleons and warships as the Masantol), which is now known as Ingkung Larion described as “Deng Spaniards prepared to conquer more lands Pampanga Bay, part of Manila Bay. palang a ren, ila pin deng taram da in the archipelago and throughout The active trade network reng mangatapang!” Southeast Asia. (Prior to this, Pande Pira throughout the pre-Spanish References: The Philippine Islands Vol. XL surprised Rajah Suliman when he made Kapampangan Region is partly proven by E.H. B lair and J.A. Robertson; a cannon using a mold of clay and wax.) with the discovery of an ancient Kapampangan Prehistory: Focus on the Systematic Archaeological Excavation at Today, metal smith and pottery settlement high up in the hills of Porac, Pampanga by Amalia de la Torre, industries are standard fare in barangays Porac. Archaeological excavations in paper presented at the First International Conference on Kapampangan Studies at Holy Capalangan, Casinala and San Vicente, all 1930, 1959, 1960 and in the 1990s Angel University; The Metal Age in the Philippines: An Archaeometallurgical in Apalit town, as well as in barangays unearthed the remains of an Investigation by Dr. Eusebio Dizon ; Sapa and San Matias in nearby Sto. Tomas extensive community dating back to Chiefdoms in Archaeological and Ethnohistorical Perspective by Timothy town and barangay Gatbuca in Calumpit, the 14 th -16 th centuries, or a few Earle; “Philippine Archaeology Up To 1950” in Bulacan. In prehistoric times, decades before the Spaniards arrived Philippine Journal of Science by Alfredo Evangelista; Artifacts: An Introduction to Kapampangans in these areas probably in 1571. A cemetery of 300 graves Early Materials and Technology by Henry had specialized craftsmen like indicates it was a large settlement, Hodges; The Pampangans by John Larkin; Candaba Artifacts: Implication and mangkukuran (potters), magpande (metal quite unusual for its location. Also Inference to Kapampangan smith), lalala (weavers) and others who discovered were chinaware sherds, Prehistory(Unpublished) by Joel Mallari; First Conclusions of the April 2002 catered to the needs of the timaua and postholes and metal Archaeological Excavations in Porac, the datu. They defended their implements, 15 pieces of Pampanga b y Dr. Victor Paz; Craft Specialization,Refuse, Disposal and the communities against pirates and invaders which were metal blades Creation of Spatial Archaeological Records in Prehispanic Mesomerica by by building forts and palisades using used for agricultural and R. Santley and R. Kneebone; notes in hardwood from the rich dipterocarp forests ceremonial activities, but Kapampangan Timeline by Siuala ding in the province. Chroniclers mention some resembled sundang and Meangubie; notes by Sevilla Yaga Sumala. Macabebes bringing in logs from Pampanga talibung (scabbard and dagger) and spear 9 dwell three thousand five hundred Moros.” brave nation,” led by “a brave youth” who (Blair & Robertson, IV, p. 80). (Islam had was “the bravest on the island”—Tarik To colonize or overthrown the Hindu Madjapahit Empire in Soliman (often confused with Rajah Soliman 1478 and reached the archipelago shortly of Manila, who later succeeded his uncle not to colonize: thereafter.) Rajah Matanda; the name Tarik Soliman is Tarik Soliman (or Sulaiman) was a just for purposes of differentiating him from Even Spain had Kapampangan datu (chieftain) in 1571, most these two rajahs since the records do not likely from a barangay in Macabebe now mention his name). An early Spanish second thoughts known as Sagrada, Masantol, located chronicler wrote: “They entered the town What right did the at the mouth of the Pampanga River. of Tondo through an estuary they called Bancusay without being seen by the Europeans have to As datu, Tarik Soliman held Spaniards, where they stayed for a few gatecrash into executive, judicial and military days discussing with Lakan Dula the a free Asian nation? powers, determining planting and best way to start the battle.” harvesting dates, trying cases not Legazpi sent two emissaries to Only a few years after the involving himself (otherwise a Tondo to win Tarik Soliman over Spaniards first arrived in Luzon, many group of datus from neighboring to their side. Tarik, wrote the of them were already complaining about villages tried him), and ruling over Spanish chronicler, “replied the mosquitoes, diseases, constant the timawa (freemen) and the slaves excitedly that neither he nor his followers threat from pirates and savage natives, wanted to see (Legazpi) nor have his and low morale. (those who had failed to In his memo to the King of settle debts). friendship, nor that of the Castillians…. Having said Spain in 1588, Jesuit missionary Alonso Apparently, the Sanchez lamented the sorry state of Pampanga of Tarik this, he stood up and the colony. It was so far from Spain, with audacity and he said, that the only Spaniards who Soliman was a fully ferocity unsheathed his cared and dared to go to the Philippines functioning civilization sword. Brandishing it, because every man, were impoverished and unprincipled he said, ‘May the sun adventurers, and the officials appointed woman and child could strike me in twain, and may to govern it were out to enrich read and write, and it had I fall in disgrace before the themselves instead of looking after the a government system, an women for them to hate me, colony’s welfare. The colony, he said, agricultural system that if I ever became for a moment had been cut up into encomiendas produced food in surplus, friend to the Castillians.’ (H)e owned by private citizens, and little was a trading network with left and without going down left for the general treasury, and other Southeast Asian the stairs, to show his bravery, therefore for public welfare and jumped out a window to the services. kingdoms, a class Still, the Jesuit argued that structure, religion, laws, street then went directly to his caracoa. He told the Spain should not give up the colony taxes and festivals. because the monarchy was committed It was into this Spaniards to inform their to serve four groups of people there, captain that he was waiting namely: quiet, developing world of at the mouth of the estuary, 1. The Spanish citizens Tarik Soliman that a where he had entered, to Spanish armada from already residing in the colony; Sanchez fight. After saying this, he said these Spaniards had the right to Cebu gate-crashed one Helmet made of sea-hedgehog, began sailing, amid occupy the island because it was summer day in 1571. torso armor made of carabao hurrahs, to the place he considered neither a private property The sight of huge, fully horn plates, used by Moro mentioned.” nor public domain since the natives had armed ships sailing past warriors (Discovering Philippine Art in In response, no concept of such; if the property was the tiny caracoas set Spain) Legazpi sent 80 private, the Spaniards had the right to the natives into panic. Spaniards to Bancusay acquire it by barter or purchase and to The Tagalog tribal chieftains in Manila, led by his master-of-camp, Martin de Goiti. build houses and settlements on “Ahead of them,” wrote the chronicler, property thus acquired, to fortify and Rajah Matanda and his nephew, defend it, and to wage war against Rajah Soliman (despite initial “was the caracoa of the Moor leader (Tarik Soliman)” who “courageously rulers of such property who prevented misgivings), as well as the king of them from exercising this right and, if fired some shots (and) fought victorious, to take the lawful rewards Tondo, Lakan Dula, welcomed the animatedly and without showing of victory; furthermore, the Pope had European visitors led by Miguel any weakness or disarray, until he Lopez de Legazpi, who assured authorized Spain to evangelize heathens died from a rifle shot by one of our by establishing permanent, autonomous them that he had come mainly “to soldiers. With his death… they Spanish settlements; teach them the true law of the one, began to fade away. They quickly 2. The natives who had all-powerful God, creator of heaven scattered and fled.” embraced Spanish rule and Christian and earth.” After he made them More than 300 Kapampangans faith; they had the right to have priests swear allegiance to the King of Legazpi died in that Battle of Bancusay on to strengthen their faith continuously Spain, Legazpi quickly dropped all May 24, 1571, and the Spaniards and a right to have governors and niceties and ordered his hosts to proceeded to conquer the rest of the troops to ensure their safety and welfare build a large house for him to live “widely spread province,” meeting against those who would take away resistance only in Betis, “the most their newfound faith; in during his stay, a chapel for the 3. The natives who had friar, and 150 medium-sized houses fortified throughout the island of Luzon.” Thus, the prehistoric been conquered but not yet converted, for the rest of the Spanish soldiers. who needed to be restrained and Kapampangan Nation became La eventual ly converted since their When the Kapampangans Pampanga, Spain’s first province in constant co-mingling with the newly saw this, they derided their Tagalog Luzon, on December 11, neighbors for sleeping with the converted natives might weaken the 1571. latter’s faith; enemy. More than 200 warriors Reference: Conquistas de las Islas Filipinas 4. The natives who had on 40 caracoas sailed from De Goiti 1565-1615 by Gaspar de San Agustin, OSA. not been conquered and converted, Manila: San Agustin Museum. Pampanga, “the most warlike and 10 who needed to be subjugated as well as converted to permit the preaching of the 5. Francisco 6. Juan Manila faith in their territory. Actually, there were Spaniards who believed it was possible to Palaot and the Because he was among the first to revolt against Spanish abuses evangelize without colonizing; to them, natives were fully functioning human Early Macabebes Because they started the 300- Tarik Soliman’s suspicions about the beings with all the rights inherent in human nature, and that all aggression year alliance between Spain sweet-talking Europeans were confirmed was unjust and the use of force was when a prominent Kapampangan from never justified. and the Kapampangans Candaba, Don Juan Manila, sent Spanish And then there were Spaniards After putting up initial resistance, the officials a complaint letter in 1586 (barely who believed that natives were naturally early Kapampangans decided to help the 15 years after Tarik’s death), in which an inferior race for whom it was Spaniards build Intramuros and necessary to use force, because they he described Spaniards as “arrogant and volunteer for military service. The were barbarians brutalized by a savage Spaniards began exploring and haughty… (who) seize rice, pigs and way of life who possessed no moral or conquering lands in the archipelago and everything else, unreasonably. And spiritual sensibilities and who recognized Southeast Asia, tagging along when we beg them not to, they take us only physical force as the arbiter of Kapampangan soldiers from Macabebe with them to Manila, they beat us up things. Thus, missionaries had the right to augment their lean army. As early as to military escorts whose task was not and worse, they insult us. They pay 1574, Kapampangan recruits had fought to intimidate natives or seize their side by side with Spaniards in repelling nothing for what they take from us…. possessions, but merely to command Chinese pirate Limahong. One (T)hey take our women, and send us to their respect for the missionaries, to Kapampangan captain won distinction look for women, to ravish them and if create the conditions where the faith for himself in these expeditions. His we do not… they insult us and beat us could be freely taught and freely name was Francisco Palaot. He stood received—since moral suasion alone did up, calling us sodomites, drunkards and side by side with Bravo de Acuña, who not work with primitive, savage people. led a voyage to the Moluccas in 1606. other such painful names. We work After hearing the pros and Earlier, in 1591, Kapampangans joined incessantly and are not allowed to rest.” cons, King Philip II (after whom Ruy a contingent of 80 Spanish soldiers led He also complained that taxes were Lopez de Villalobos named the colony) by Luis Perez das Mariñas, son of the being collected from even the aged, the decided to: build fortifications around governor general, to an exploration of Manila, raise the salary of soldiers, handicapped and the dead. Juan Manila the jungles of Tuy (now Nueva Vizcaya). rationalize the tax system, halt the In 1596, Kapampangans sailed to and a Nicolas Mananguete led an pacification voyages outside the colony, Mindanao in a pacification drive led by uprising among members of the send 100 Spanish farmer settlers to Rodriguez de Figueroa. In 1638, they principalia (native ruling class) which revitalize agriculture in the colony, make went to Jolo under Gov. Gen. Sebastian ended tragically when Spanish officials the galleon trade a monopoly of colonists Hurtado de Corcuera. In the years in the Philippines, put up hospitals, free conspired with Indios to entrap Juan to come, Macabebes would always be slaves and abolish slavery for good, depended upon to massacre the Chinese Manila through disguise, not unlike what exempt natives from tithes and give in 1603 and again in 1640, ward off the Macabebes were made to do with them the option to pay in currency or in Dutch invaders in 1646, retaliate against Emilio Aguinaldo centuries later. goods of equal value, whichever they the British Navy in 1764, and tragically, Source: “Don Juan Manila: The First Kapampangan preferred. These royal decrees hinted defeat the revolts of fellow Filipinos and Rebel?” by Marc D. Nepomuceno, K Magazine at the statesmanship of the Spanish King in one instance even of their fellow Issue 7. Angeles City. which could bode well for Indios in the Kapampangans. Palaot and these early colony that bore his name. soldiers of fortune had unwittingly 1593 map of Asia by Cornelis de Jode Unfortunately, most of them started an alliance with the Spanish were never carried out in a colony that Empire which would define not only the was 5000 leagues away. relationship between Kapampangans Reference: The Jesuits in the Philippines 1581- and their colonizers in the next 300 years 1768 by Horacio de la Costa, SJ. Cambridge, Mass.: but also the reputation of Harvard University Press. Kapampangans among their fellow Filipinos. Reference: The Pampangans by John A. Larkin. Los Angeles: University of California Press; The Province of Pampanga and its Towns (A.D. 1300-1962) by Mariano A. Henson. Angeles City. 11  O n and the rest April 19, of the 1586, the catechism in Spanish p e r f e c t officials in Spanish. Manila met The ten- to take stock year-old of the brown native situation in f r o m the new Pampanga c o l o n y, confidently which, in performed those early before the years did not m o s t yet have the powerful opulence man on earth that the in the galleon trade h i g h e s t would bring a forum any few decades colonial later. The Filipino could city was hope to reach. King nothing more Philip asked than a cluster a few of a hundred questions to thatched further test h o u s e s him; Martin surrounded Oil painting by Herminigildo Pineda S a n c h o by mosquito- answered infested them all without faltering. When marshes; the city walls had not yet been constructed. Across 7. MARTIN SANCHO the boy was ushered out of the hall amidst thunderous the river, Chinese merchants and artisans lived in their dirty Because he became a child prodigy at applause, Alonso Sanchez parian. a time when natives were treated as stepped forward to present his case for the Philippines, The meeting was a savages and barbarians; because he confident that the King’s debate on the merits of maintaining the colony under not only came within spitting distance favorable response had been these harsh conditions. Some with the King of Spain (something even ensured by the Kapampangan boy’s performance. wanted to abandon the islands Rizal never dreamed of), but also Martin Sancho stayed in Spain altogether, while others engaged him in an IQ quiz and probably then moved to the Jesuit wondered if they should ask the King of Spain to grant incentives made his royal jaw drop; because he novitiate in Rome when he was and privileges to colonists. shed off his glory days and retired to a 17 years old. He became the first Filipino to be admitted to Before it adjourned, quiet life of prayer to become the first the Society of Jesus. Martin they decided to send a letter to King Philip II, and the person Filipino Jesuit stayed in the province of Toledo and went to college in Murcia they chose to travel across the By Robby Tantingco and then proceeded to Mexico globe to deliver the letter was the Jesuit priest Alonso attention and convince the Their ship encountered in 1599. In 1601, he returned to the Philippines with a group Sanchez. On May 6, 1586, monarch that the natives could many storms as it crossed the of Jesuit missionaries headed by Sanchez made the voyage to be worthy, even spectacular, Pacific Ocean. It reached Mexico Gregorio Lopez. He had Acapulco on the ship San Martin. bearer of Christian virtue and eight months later, in January 1587. The group left Acapulco contracted tuberculosis while he With him was the precious letter erudition. Born in 1576, barely was in Europe, where Jesuit and another hot property: a ten- five years after the Spaniards on May 18, 1587 and sailed houses remained unheated year-old Kapampangan boy first came to Pampanga, Martin across the Atlantic Ocean for seven months. On December during winter. Barely a month named Martin Sancho who had Sancho was living proof that this 15, 1587, Alonso Sanchez and after he set foot on his native amazed everyone with his ability particular colony was an land, the talented Martin Sancho to speak fluent Spanish and extremely fertile ground for the Martin Sancho were ushered died. He was only 25. recite the entire catechism. Not seeds of their mission, which into the court of King Philip II. Reference: The Jesuits in the only was he a proof that were already taking root and The boy was introduced and as Philippines 1581-1768 by Horacio de la Costa, SJ. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard evangelization was working in bearing fruit faster than Spain the King and members of the University Press; Laying the could send additional court leaned forward, Martin Foundations: Kapampangan the colony, Alonso could also use missionaries. Sancho recited prayers, articles Pioneers in the Philippine Church him to attract the King’s 1592-2000 by Luciano P.R. Santiago. of faith, Church rules, doctrines Angeles City: Holy Angel University Press. 12 Early Kapampangan uprisings betrayed, and many or children. Many their priests. Admiral Rodrigo 1584 Kapampangans were executed. Kapampangans had remained de Mesa, a local In 1583, the Spaniards forcibly unmarried to escape this encomendero, came with a few recruited Kapampangan men 1585 scourge; some even killed their others to negotiate peace; they to work in the Cordillera The next year, Kapampangans children in advance. were killed instead by the mountains where gold had teamed up with Tagalogs in rebels who fled to the been recently discovered. protest against the encomienda 1645 mountains afterwards. A They labored for months, thus system, under which natives Soon after a devastating combined contingent of missing the planting season. must pay a tribute for what their earthquake in the town of Spanish soldiers and Macabebe As a result, famine broke out private land yielded. It was the Gapan, Nueva Ecija (formerly volunteers quelled the in Pampanga the following encomendero’s abuses that riled part of Pampanga), a rebellion; the Augustinians year. Kapampangans sought the natives. For example, heads Kapampangan leader led an then sent the respected and the help of their kins in Borneo of families who were unable to uprising in which the natives wel l-loved Fray Juan de and together they drew up a pay the exact amount were seized arms, sought the help of Abarca, OSA who succeeded plan to massacre the Spaniards publicly flogged, sometimes Zambals, and torched the in pacifying the natives. in the colony, which at that crucified. If the men did not churches in nearby towns, Refer ence: Literature of the time numbered only a few show up to pay, the exhorting the people to Pampangos by Rosalina Icban-Castro. Manila: University of the East Press. hundred. The plot was encomendero seized their wife massacre the Spaniards and 8. Diego Guinto 9. Juan Salonga Because his generosity spawned a whole Because he started the tradition of family generation of native clergy dynasties in Kapampangan politics The early Kapampangans must have taken their new religion Colonial local governments were run by cabezas de barangay quite seriously, because they made churches much larger than (barrio heads), who essentially were the datus of pre-Hispanic their own houses, and donated more lands to the priests than society; among themselves they elected the gobernadorcillo was necessary. Rich families considered it a great honor to be (known today as town mayor), and the gobernadorcillos of different able to support a seminarian, and the greatest honor to have a towns elected one of themselves as alcalde mayor (known today family member attain the noblest profession of all. They funded as the provincial governor). The Kapampangan family with the capellanias (chaplaincies) from the earnings of large tracts of most number of elected gobernadorcillos was the Salonga family land. The very first Filipino to do this, in 1592, was Don Diego of Macabebe, and their first gobernadorcillo was Juan Salonga, Guinto of Bacolor, who donated a capellania to the Augustinians elected in 1617. Between 1615 and 1765 (150 years), the Salongas serving Pampanga at the time. His example set off similar held the office 17 different times, thus starting a tradition in sacrifices among the Kapampangan principalia, as well as among Macabebe (and the rest of Pampanga) of family dynasties. The Spaniards in the Philippines (the first of whom was Don Gabriel Sonsong family had 14 terms, the Zabalas 12, the Tolentinos 10, de la Cruz, dean of the Manila Cathedral Chapter, who in 1601 the Dueñas family 9 terms, the Dimasangcays 8, the Centenos 7, formed a capellania in favor of the Archdiocese of Manila). In the Yabuts 6, the Balingits and the Punsalangs both 5 terms, and the 1600s alone, the Augustinians received 134 capellanias, 70 the Darays, the Punus and the Sumangs 4 terms each. In other words, only 13 families held the annually elected office 105 times, per cent of which came from Kapampangans. Reference: Laying the Foundations: Kapampangan or two-thirds of the entire total. Reference: The Pampangans by John A. Larkin. Los Angeles: University of Pioneers in the Philippine Church 1592-2000 by Luciano P.R. Santiago. California Press. Angeles City: Holy Angel University Press. Arayat church; pious native lady; mestizo cleric (Kasaysayan, Luther Parker Collection) 13 10. MARTHA DE SAN BERNARDO Because she dared to join a monastery that banned native women; because she moved an entire congregation of Spanish nuns to rally her cause; because she became the first Filipino nun under the most extraordinary circumstances; and because she blazed the trail for countless other brave and selfless Filipino women For being accepted into the hundred witnesses, including 15 skinned figure at the monastery, Undaunted in their prestigious and exclusive Royal Kapampangans, came forward Martha stood out for her virtues. conviction that Martha Monastery of Santa Clara in to testify in the investigation, However, the Franciscan deserved to be a member of the 1632 despite the prohibition which caused quite a stir Provincial, who supervised the Poor Clares, the nuns conspired against native applicants, monastery, disapproved of an to go around the official throughout the region. The Indio woman becoming a prohibition by sending Martha Martha de San Bernardo, a nuns were moved by the popular Franciscan nun. A Franciscan along with her Spanish batch- ladina (Spanish-speaking support for the cause of their chronicler wrote: “She was so mates to their new monastery native) from Pampanga, had foundress’ beatification that they in the Portuguese colony of the monastery’s foundress, influential a woman and so made an exception for the first Macao where the restrictions of Madre Doña Jeronima de la moral and virtuous that all the qualified native to apply: the the mother house in Manila did convent urgently requested that Asuncion, to thank for. Kapampangan Martha de San not apply. Hearing this, the that she be conferred the Madre Jeronima, from Bernardo. Franciscan Provincial allowed novitiate habit.” The nuns’ a noble family in Spain, had The only brown- her to receive the holy habit— petition fell on deaf ears. arrived in Manila in 1621 to set but only on a boat in the middle up the monastery, the first of the sea, where she was nunnery in the Philippines as beyond the reach of Spanish well as in Asia. Although native laws and prejudices and where women had a reputation for the officials who allowed it spirituality, as evidenced by the could always claim no number of women mystics (like knowledge or jurisdiction. Clara Caliman and Isabel of Sor Martha de San Butuan, Maria Guinita of Bernardo stayed in Macao until she died. She had a chance to Pangasinan, Cecilia Tangol of return to the Philippines with Bataan, Melchora la Beata of her fellow Poor Clares but she Abucay, etc.), the church and chose to stay behind to avoid civil authorities did not allow revival of interest in her their admission into the new exceptional case. monastery. Madre Jeronima In 1684, Mother tried to build a separate Ignacia del Espiritu Santo monastery for them in founded the first congregation Pandacan but again, the for native women. It has officials rejected the idea. The endured to this day as the turning point occurred when Congregation of the Religious the foundress died in 1630 and of the Virgin Mary (RVM). the nuns petitioned the Source: Laying the Foundations: Archdiocese to initiate a Kapampangan Pioneers in the Philippine Church 1592-2000 by beatification process. Over a Luciano P.R. Santiago. Angeles City: Pencil/watercolor painting by Joel Mallari Holy Angel University Press. Pampanga towns and their Founders At least 11 towns of Pampanga roads and driving Aetas and established the first primary after the titular patron saints had existed long before the Zambals farther up the school in 1822, and donated 35 of the town, Los Santos Spaniards arrived in 1571; the mountains. hectares of their own land to the Angeles Custodios (Holy only thing left for the ANGELES church. The parish priest of San Guardian Angels). Its first colonizers to do was rename Don Angel Fernando bitterly opposed Don gobernadorcillo was Ciriaco them or reorganize them into Pantaleon de Miranda, Angel’s petition to set up a new de Miranda, the founder’s pueblos with the church at the capitan of San Fernando, parish; on May 12, 1812, the son. The following year, 1830, center, instead of the pre- together with his wife Rosalia new parish was created, and on Angeles held its first La Naval Spanish Period set-up where de Jesus, cleared the December 8, 1829, the creation fiesta, to honor Our Lady of the houses lined the rivers. The northernmost barrio of San of the municipality of Angeles Rosary, whose intercession led rest of the towns were Fernando in 1796 and named it followed after Don Angel paid Spanish victory against Dutch belatedly founded as Kuliat, after a vine. The couple with his own money the invaders in 1646 and whose Spaniards and Indios alike settled there in 1811, introduced equivalent amount of taxes to image was the one brought to pushed the frontiers by cutting the first muscovado sugar mill, be collected from 160 settlers. Kuliat during the forest down forests, building new erected the first distillery and He renamed the town Angeles clearing. Don Angel Pantaleon 14 11. Madalena de la Concepcion 12. Juan de Guerra Because she was a living saint during her time Because he was the second Like Sor Martha de San Bernardo before her, Madalena de la Concepcion was a Filipino martyr, after noblewoman from Pampanga but unlike Sor Martha, she was admitted to the monastery Saint Lorenzo Ruiz of the Poor Clares without a hitch. She received their habit on February 9, 1636 and Thirty-year-old Juan de Guerra, a professed the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience the following year. Sor Madalena’s Kapampangan seaman from Betis, was in biographer wrote that as a nun, she “persevered for 49 years in such an exemplary the wrong place at the wrong time that day way and in the strict observance of the Rule; in all those years, no deficiency whatsoever in Macao in 1640, when the Portuguese city was noted in her compliance with the policies of the convent, ever excelling with sent an all-layman delegation to Japan to diligence in the performance of the most humble and difficult tasks in the community improve diplomatic relations. He was one and always abhorring positions of honor. With this example of humility and regular of two Filipinos among the 70 crewmen observance, she persevered until her death on April 5, 1685.” accompanying four Macao diplomats; no Reference: Laying the Foundations: Kapampangan Pioneers in the Philippine Church 1592-2000 by Luciano P.R. Santiago. Angeles City: Holy Angel University Press. friar was allowed on the trip to show the anti-Christian Japanese officials that they had no covert mission to evangelize. (Japan had recently outlawed Christianity in the empire, executing Japanese Christians as well as foreigners who had come to re- introduce the religion. One of those killed three years earlier was Lorenzo Ruiz of Manila.) As soon as the delegation reached Japan, they were thrown in jail on charges of conspiracy to propagate the outlawed religion. After they refused to renounce the Faith in exchange for freedom and repatriation, they were marched off to the “red mountain” in Nagasaki for execution. Sixty-one, including Juan de Guerra, were beheaded while 13 were sent back to Macao with the warning: “If King Philip himself or indeed the Christian God, or the great Buddha, violates our laws against alien religions, he too will lose his head!” It is the detailed eyewitness account of these 13 survivors that served as basis for a 1698 book on the martyrdom by Fray Joseph Sicardo of Madrid, and will serve as evidence in possible beatification and canonization of the martyrs in the future. News of Juan de Guerra’s and his Filipino companion’s martyrdom was greeted with A 17th century depiction of the beheading of 61 martyrs in Nagasaki. great ecclesiastical celebration in Manila. One of the dark-skinned figures is the Kapampangan seaman Juan de Reference: Laying the Foundations: Guerra. (A Embaixada Martir by Benjamin Videira Pires, SJ) Kapampangan Pioneers in the Philippine Church 1592-2000 by Luciano P.R. Santiago. Angeles City: Holy Angel University Press. de Miranda died on June 21, later in the 1500s. Magmanoc, founded the pre- of the present-day church. 1835 at age 70. ARAYAT Hispanic Bacolor, then called BETIS APALIT The pre-Spanish Period Bakulud from the word Vitis (Betis), Malangsic and his name of Arayat was Balayan makabakulud, meaning upland according to Spanish cousins Taui and ning Pambuit , an ancient surrounded by lowland chroniclers in the 1500s, was Pampalong founded Sulipan settlement originally located in ( cababan or baba lubao in a prosperous settlement with and Capalangan, the oldest barrio Palinglang (the present ancient Kapampangan). In more than 7000 inhabitants villages in Apalit, but the poblacion used to be a jungle 1576, a local landlord, when the colonizers chanced foundation of the town itself, inhabited by Aetas). The town Guillermo Manabat, with the upon it as they made their way which was named after a local was renamed Dayat , which help of the Spaniards, founded into the interior of the tree (a narra variety living on means irrigated farmlands, while the pueblo and dedicated the province. They were mostly the banks of the river), is the mountain was originally church to his namesake, San Moros who put up a brave credited to either called Bunduk Alaya (which Guillermo Ermitaño, whose feast resistance before being Capitangan and his wife means eastern mountain). is celebrated on February 10 pacified. The name of the Lady Bayinda (whose BACOLOR (the other great feast of Bacolor town came from betis, a large names appear in the Balagtas Lady Monmon, wife is La Naval in November). tree that grew in the vicinity Will) or to Agustin Mangaya of Malangsik’s brother Dapat- Manabat was buried in the site of the church’s present site. In 15  t h e the Revolution (1896-1898) and the 13. The Talangpaz Sisters quality of t h e Philippine-American War (1899-1902), as well as the earthquakes of 1863 and 1880 Because, against all odds, they started what would applicants and the Second World War (1941-1945). eventually become a worldwide congregation and their Today the beaterio is known as the o w n Congregation of the Augustinian Recollect ability to Sisters, the oldest non-contemplative sustain religious community for women in the t h e Augustinian Recollect Order throughout the beaterio. world. It is credited for the establishment T h e of the Colegio de Sta. Rita in Manila in 1907. belea- In 1999, the cause for the Talangpaz sisters’ guered beatification was formally started. f r i a r s Reference: Laying the Foundations: Kapampangan Pioneers in the Philippine Church decided 1592-2000 by Luciano P.R. Santiago. Angeles City: not only Holy Angel University Press. to stop t h e 14. Andres screening but to de la Cruz recall the Because, barely 12 years old, he sisters’ was tasked with the man-sized religious job of brokering peace between habits savage tribes Dionisia Mitas Talangpaz de Santa and expel them from the convent garden. Andres de la Cruz was only 10 when he left Maria and her younger sister, Cecilia The Talangpaz sisters returned to their nipa the country in 1668 with three fellow Rossa Talangpaz de Jesus of Calumpit, hut where they continued their spiritual Kapampangans to start a mission in the Bulacan were half-Kapampangans. Their duties. Prophetically they told their Marianas, then called the Ladrones, which paternal grandmother, Doña Juana confessor: “It is clear that God and the Most was the farthest outpost of the diocese of Mallari and maternal grandfather, Don Holy Virgin have deigned to test us and Cebu. The group of 17 was headed by Agustin Sonsong de Pamintuan (a purify our souls in the crucible of sorrows. Diego Luis de San Vitores, and with them leader in the Kapampangan Revolt of 1660) But we are so determined in our endeavor was Pedro Calungsod (later the second were from Macabebe. The Talangpaz that we find more courage to suffer each Filipino to be beatified), another youth who, sisters gave up the good life to stay in a day. We are like mustard seeds which have like Andres, was chosen for his spiritual as humble nipa hut in Bilibid Viejo praying been pressed and nearly crushed. From well as physical strength. Two years into continuously and doing penance and these shall emerge a sapling which… shall the mission, Andres de la Cruz was assigned needlework. After six years the Augustinian grow into a big tree under whose shade the with nine other boys to the Island of Recollect friars in the convent of the San birds will build their nests and sing their Buenavista de Tinian to restore peace Sebastian church invested them with the canticles to God.” Amazingly, the Recollect between two warring tribes. One of the religious habit and gave them a small house friars had a sudden change of heart and tribes resented their intervention, and in one in the convent’s garden. Other native not only ordered the sisters back but also attack on the Christian camp, Andres had women began applying to join the built a larger beaterio in the same spot in no choice but to slay the chieftain. He and Talangpaz sisters and soon the house was the convent garden and assured them of the rest of the boys survived the incident converted into the Beaterio de San continuous support. Cecilia and Dionisia and lived on to continue their work as Sebastian de Calumpang. As the number Talangpaz died in 1731 and 1732, missionaries in the Pacific island. of applicants grew, the Recollect friars who respectively, but the beaterio endured, Reference: Laying the Foundations: Kapampangan Pioneers in the Philippine Church screened them began to have doubts about surviving the British Occupation (1752-64), 1592-2000 by Luciano P.R. Santiago. Angeles City: Holy Angel University Press. January 1904, Betis was account of its antiquity and who is said to