The province of Pampanga is traditional homeland of the Kapampangans. Once occupying a vast stretch of land that extended from Tondo to the rest of Central Luzon, huge chunks of territories were carved out of Pampanga so as to create the provinces of Bulacan, Bataan, Nueva Ecija, Aurora and Tarlac. As a result, Kapampangans now populate a region that extends beyond the political boundaries of the small province of Pampanga. In the province of Tarlac, the indigenous population of Tarlac City and the municipalities of Bamban, Capas and Concepcion are Kapampangans, while the municipalities of Victoria, La Paz, have a significant Kapampangan population. In Bataan, Kapampangans populate the municipalities of Dinalupihan and Hermosa, and the barangays of Mabatang in Abucay and Calaguiman in Samal. Kapampangans can be found scattered all across the southern barrios of Cabiao in the province of Nueva Ecija and in the western section of the province of Bulacan. Kapampangan enclaves still exist in Tondo and other parts of the National Capital Region. Kapampangans have also migrated to Mindoro, Palawan and Mindanao and have formed strong Kapampangan organizations called aguman in Davao City and General Santos City. Agumans based in the United States and Canada are active in the revival of the Kapampangan language and culture. California-based organizations promoted Kapampangan language and culture and raised funds for charitable and cultural projects in California and in Pampanga.
The Kapampangans have produced many Rajahs, Datus, four Philippine presidents, three chief justices, a senate president, the first Filipino cardinal, one Huk Supremo, many Huk Commanders and NPA cadres and many personalities in public service, education, diplomacy, journalism, the arts and sciences, entertainment and business.
The oldest artifact ever found in the Province of Pampanga is a 5000-year-old stone adze found in Candaba. It is said to be a tool used in building boats. Earthenware and tradeware dating back to 1500 BC have also been found in Candaba and Porac. Farming and fishing were the main industries of the Kapampangan people.
Kapampangans have played a dynamic yet conflicting role in Philippine history. It was the Kapampangans of Macabebe who were the first to defend the Luzon Empire from Spanish domination in 1571. Yet it was the Kapampangans that the Spaniards relied on to defend their new colony from the Dutch. It was at this time that "one Castillan plus three Kapampangans" were considered as "four Castillans" as long they gallantly served in the colonial armed forces. Such behaviour earned them the stereotype of being quislings in exchange for personal wealth and self-aggrandisement all throughout the archipelago. After their successful battle against the Dutch in 1640, only Kapampangans were allowed to study side by side with the Spaniards in exclusive Spanish academies and universities in Manila, by order of Governor-General Sebastián Hurtado de Corcuera. In 1896, Kapampangans were one of the principal ethnic groups to push and fuel the Philippine revolution against Spain. Yet it was also the Kapampangans of Macabebe that fiercely defended the last Spanish garrison against the revolutionaries.
With the outbreak of World War II, Japanese planes invaded the main province of Pampanga and attacked the United States Air Base at Clark Field in Angeles, Pampanga on December 8, 1941. Later Japanese soldiers entered the province of Pampanga on 1942 and the Japanese Occupation formally began.
Many Kapampangans joined a group of stronghold soldiers that survived the invasion and officially trained under the 31st Infantry Division, Philippine Commonwealth Army. USAFFE was stationed in Pampanga on July 26, 1941 before the Japanese Occupation to June 30, 1946. After the Battle of Bataan in 1942, some Kapampangan soldiers of the USAFFE 31st Infantry Division fought four years of battles against Japanese troops. After the fall of Bataan on April 9, 1942, many Kapampangan soldiers of the USAFFE 31st Division surrendered to the Japanese and then participated in the Death March of Bataan Death March from Mariveles, Bataan to Capas, Tarlac.
Many Kapampangans joined the guerrilla resistance fighters of the Hukbalahap Communist resistance. Many Kapampangan guerrillas and Hukbalahap communist groups fought four years of insurgency during the Japanese Occupation and also fought side by side with allied forces in the main province of Pampanga, helping local troops of the Philippine Commonwealth Army and incoming Philippine Constabulary 3rd Infantry Regiments stationed at the general headquarters in Pampanga in operations in Central Luzon from 1942 to 1945 against the Imperial Japanese troops. After the insurgency, many Kapampangan guerrillas and Hukbalahap resistance groups about the retreating by the Japanese and before the liberation on 1945 from the combined Allied forces and guerrillas.
Many Kapampangan festivals display an indigenous flavor unique only to the Kapampangan people. Consider the Curaldal or "street dancing" that accompanies the Feast of Santa Lucia in Sasmuan or the Aguman Sanduk were men cross-dress as women to welcome the New Year in Minalin or the Batalla Festival to reenact the battle between the native Muslim Moor and the new colonist Native Capampangan Christians, the historical battle between the two religious native Kapampangans. They start the battle in Ugtung-aldo or afternoon and they end it in Sisilim or sunset with the tune of what Macabebeanons and Masantuleñios called BATTALA Masantol, Macabebe and Lubao.
The Pistang Danum of the barrios of Pansinao, Mandasig, Lanang and Pasig in Candaba - where food is served on floating banana rafts on the waters of the Pampanga River - was originally a non-Christian holiday that is now made to coincide with the baptism of Christ. The Kapampangan New Year or Bayung Banwa that welcomes the coming of the monsoons and the start of the planting season is made to coincide with the feast of John the Baptist. The colourful Apung Iru fluvial procession of Apalit, once a thanksgiving celebration in honour of the river, has become the feast of Saint Peter.
The most dramatic festivals can be witnessed during the Mal ay Aldo, which is the Kapampangan expression of the Holy Week. These include the erection of a temporary shrine known as the puni where the pasion or the story of Christ's suffering is chanted in archaic Kapampangan. The melody of the Kapampangan pasion was said to have been taken from their traditional epic, whose original words were lost and replaced by the story of Christ. The highlight of the mal ay aldo celebration is the procession of the magdarame or sasalibatbat penitents covered in blood from self-flagellation. Some of them even have themselves crucified every Good Friday at the dried up swamp of barrio Cutud in San Fernando.
Kapampangan cuisine, or Lutung Kapampangan, has gained a favourable reputation among other Philippine ethnic groups. Some popular Kapampangan dishes that have become mainstays across the country include sisig, kare-kare, "tocino" or pindang and their native version of the longaniza.
Other Kapampangan dishes - which are an acquired taste for the other ethnic groups - include buru (fish fermented in rice), betute tugak (stuffed frogs), adobung kamaru (mole crickets sauteed in vinegar and garlic), estofadong barag (spicy stewed monitor lizard), sisig,kalderetang asu (spicy dog stew), sigang liempu, "dagis a tinama"(marinated rats), laman panara and bobotu.
Many Kapampangans have Han Chinese and Japanese ancestry. There are also trace evidence of intermarriages with other Philippine ethnic groups.
Kapampangans are mostly Christians, a majority of which are Roman Catholics, Aglipay, Methodists, Iglesia ni Cristo and members of various Protestant denominations and the restorationist The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). However, traces of Animism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam can still be found among their folk practices and traditions.
For a list of prominent or noteworthy Kapampangans, see Category:Kapampangan people.
History, politics and religion
Benigno Aquino, Jr. - Philippine Senator and a National Hero whose assassination triggered the events that led to the People Power Revolution. Born and raised in Concepcion, TarlacCorazon Cojuangco Aquino- a Philippine politician who served as President of the Philippines. She the first woman to hold that office, and the first female president in Asia.Benigno S. Aquino III - the 15th President of the Republic of the Philippines.Dr. Rey B. Aquino - was the former mayor of San Fernando City and the CEO of Philippine Health Insurance.Don Juan Macapagal - Datu of Arayat, was the great-grandson of Lakandula. He was given the title Maestre de Campo General of the natives Arayat, Candaba and Apalit for his aid in suppressing the Kapampangan Revolt of 1660 and was the only native in the Philippines to become an encomendero.Diosdado Pangan Macapagal - was the 9th President of the Republic of the Philippines and a native of Lubao, Pampanga.Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo - was the 14th President of the Republic of the Philippines. A daughter of the 9th President of the Republic Diosdado Macapagal, she was the country's first female Vice President during the tenure of Joseph Estrada.Armando Biliwang - was a municipal mayor of San Fernando and was well known for his fearless stand against Communism during his term as municipal councilor and mayor.Tarik Sulayman, an ancient Muslim ruler from Macabebe who battled Spanish forces at the Battle of BangkusayFrancisco Tongio Liongson, a politician doctor and statesman, was a native of Pampanga's ancient capital, Villa de Bacolor, who became Pampanga's governor and its first senator.Pedro Tongio Liongson, lawyer and judge, was a native of Pampanga's ancient capital, Villa de Bacolor, who served as member of the Malolos Congress (1898–1899) and as Judge Advocate General of the Army of the First Philippine Republic (1899–1900).Reynaldo Vitug Reyes - is a native of Maligaya, Floridablanca, Pampanga who became major general of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) and known as the first Floridablancan Air Force general.Bishop La Verne D. Mercado - From Lubao, Pampanga, elected Bishop of the United Methodist Church in the Philippines and also served as General Secretary of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines.Bishop Emerito P. Nacpil - A Kapampangan from Tarlac. Dr. Nacpil was elected Bishop of the United Methodist Church in the Philippines and also served as Professor of Theology at the Union Theological Seminary in Dasmarinas, Cavite.José Abad Santos - was a native of the City of San Fernando who became the 5th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines. He was killed by Japanese forces during the occupation of the Philippines in World War II.Pedro Abad Santos- was a doctor, lawyer, Marxist, and politician who later became a leader of the first of two Communist rebellions from the 1930s to the 1950s. He was the older brother of José Abad Santos.Félix Ysagun-Manalo - founder of the Christian religious organization Iglesia ni Cristo.Eliseo Soriano - evangelist and presiding minister of the Philippine-based Members Church of God International. He is known as Bro. Eli in his radio and television programs Ang Dating Daan (The Old Path).Satur Ocampo - co-founder of the National Democratic Front, he is a politician, journalist, and writer. Also a representative for the Bayan Muna party in the Lower House of Philippine Congress.Luis Taruc - was a political figure and Communist revolutionary. He was the leader of the Hukbalahap rebel group between 1942 and 1954.Rufino Jiao Santos - was the Archbishop of Manila from 1953 to 1973 and was the first Filipino to be named Cardinal.Tito Morales Mendiola - was the former mayor of Floridablanca and the Senior Vice President of Philippine Health (PHILHEALTH) Insurance for Operations and Area Vice President for Mindanao.Eddie Panlilio - the first Catholic priest in the Philippines to be elected as a provincial governor. Transformer of the Traditional Politics in the Philippines to promote Good Governance.Yeng Guiao - the Vice-governor of Pampanga and a professional basketball head coach for the Red Bull Barako in the Philippine Basketball Association. Guiao won four PBA titles since starting his head coaching job for Swift in the early 1990s. He is a former Philippine Basketball League commissioner from 1997-2000.Gil J. Puyat - was a Senate President of the Philippines from 1967 to 1972.Rogelio dela Rosa - was one of the most popular Filipino matinee idols of the 20th century and was elected to the Senate in 1957. He was also the first film actor able to parlay his fame into a political career, paving the way for other Filipino entertainers-turned-politicians. He had an equally famous brother, Jaime dela Rosa, also a matinee idol in the 1950s.Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan - senator and husband of celebrity Sharon CunetaArtemio Panganiban - 21st Supreme Court Chief Justice of the Philippines. His ancestors originated from Pampanga and then later generations migrated to Manila.Carlos Guiao Panganiban - Current major shareholder of two-hundred companies scattered around Philippines. He was the first to develop the computer. Nephew of Artemio Panganiban and grandson of late Governor Bren Z. Guiao.Randy David - a political analyst, newspaper columnist and a professor at the University of the Philippines in Diliman.Arts and Culture
Anselmo Jorge Fajardo - Father of Kapampangan Literature. Author of the first and longest metrical romance in any Philippine language, Gonzalo de Córdoba. He was a native delegate to the Spanish Cortez.Juan Crisostomo Soto - Kapampangan writer, revolutionary leader and veteran of the Philippine–American War. Father of Kapampangan poetic debate, Crissotan, and author of "Alang Dios" (There is no God), Perlas quing Burac, Anac ning Katipunan, Lydia and many others Zarzuelas and Playwrights.Francisco Alonso Liongson - Outstanding Philippine playwright in Spanish and founding president of Círculo Escenico, Pampanga's Spanish theatrical group that became nationally renowned.Aurelio Tolentino - one of the mystics of the Katipunan, a compadre of Andrés Bonifacio, a nationalist writer in both Kapampangan and Tagalog. He coined the word dulâ for drama and ironically became known in Philippine history as the Father of Tagalog Drama for his anti-US colonial masterpiece Kahapon, Ngayon at Bukas. A theatre at the Cultural Center of the Philippines is named Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino in his honor.Jose Gallardo - Kapampangan Poet Laureate and one of the most prolific Kapampangan writers of the late 20th century.Amado Yuzon - Kapampangan Poet Laureate, was a Philippine academic, journalist, and writer.Alejandro T. Quiboloy - Kapampangan educator, public servant, writer and Protestant minister. Born in Lubao, Pampanga on May 3, 1909.Vicente Manansala - a National Artist of the Philippines in Visual Arts, was a direct influence on his fellow Filipino neo-realists.Isidoro C. Soto [Anac ning Baculud] Born on April 4, 1918 in Suban Bacolor, Pampanga. One of the greatest artist-decorator-designers of Pampanga. One of his living artworks is the ceiling painting of Betis church, painted with Dr. Juco as his mentor. He was also the designer of the logo of Philippine Rabbit Bus Liner. He used to decorate for Circulo Fernandino, Batu-Balani, Old legs, Circilo Masantoleno, to name a few. He is a descendant of Juan Crisostomo Soto, the famous Pampango poet. Isidoro died at the age of 70 on June 9, 1988.Ambeth Ocampo - is a Filipino historian, academic, journalist and author best known for his column in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, "Looking Back."Gene Gonzales - nationally renowned chef, restaurateur, educator management consultant and author. He is the author of Cocina Sulipeña: Culinary from Old Pampanga.Don Zoilo Hilario - a member of the Institute of National Language who dedicated his life to imposing the ABAKADA on Kapampangan writing through the Akademyang Kapampangan, the organization he created.Mon David - is a jazz singer from Sto. Tomas, Pampanga. He won the grand prize in the prestigious 2006 London International Jazz Competition (LIJC).Eduardo Mutuc - is a 2005 NCCA GAMABA National Living Treasure Awardee for upholding the traditional Kapampangan art of pinukpuk or silver inlaying and embossing on retablos, carosas and altar pieces.Brillante Mendoza - is a Filipino film director who won the award for Best Director for his film Kinatay at the recently concluded 62nd Cannes Film Festival in France.Dolphy - born as Rodolfo Quizon and known as the King of Philippine Comedy was born in Pampanga in 1928 to Kapampangan parents and was raised in Tondo, Manila.Vilma Santos - queen of Philippine movies born in Bamban, Tarlac and Governor of Batangas.Melanie Marquez - (b. 16 July 1964), is a Filipina personality development coach, actress, film producer, author, and celebrity endorser. She is a former beauty queen and model who won the 1979 Miss International beauty pageant in Tokyo, Japan, representing the Philippines, born and raised in MabalacatRicardo "Dong" Puno Jr - is a Filipino television public affairs host, media executive, newspaper columnist, and lawyer.Efren "Bata" Reyes - is referred to as "The Magician" and a very popular Filipino billiards player who hails from Angeles City. He is considered to be one of history's greatest practitioners of billiards.Francisco Bustamante - next to Bata, shoots the most powerful breaks in World Billiards. With Bata they are one of the greatest billiard tandems in the world.apl.de.ap (Allan Pineda Lindo) - is a member of the Grammy-award winning group, The Black Eyed Peas, and was born in Sapang Bato, Angeles City. He is famous throughout the Filipino community after the release of his life story of his homeland Philippines in a song called "The Apl Song."Allen Dizon - International award winning actor. Born in Sta. Ana, PampangaLito Lapid - a famous star turned politician. He became governor of Pampanga and later became a member of the Philippine senate.Joey Marquez - Philippine basketball star turned actor-comedian turned politician. Brother of popular beauty queen Melanie MarquezAto Agustin - PBA MVP in 1992, and current assistant coach of San Miguel BeerArwind Santos - San Miguel Beerman superstar from Lubao, Pampanga. 2 time Finals MVP of the PBA, 8 time PBA all starJapeth Aguilar - Gilas Pilipinas Center/Forward born and raised in Sasmuan, PampangaCalvin Abueva - Alaska Aces Small Forward born and raised in Angeles City, Pampanga. Nicknamed "The Beast"Jayson Castro - Talk n Text and Gilas Pilipinas superstar guard born and raised in Guagua, PampangaGary David - Meralco Bolts sharpshooter born and raised in Dinalupihan, BataanJC Intal - Barako Bull and Gilas Pilipinas born in Minalin, Pampanga. He is married to television host and model Bianca GonzalezYeng Guiao - is a Filipino professional basketball head coach for the Red Bull Barako in the Philippine Basketball Association. Guiao won four PBA titles since starting his head coaching job for Swift in the early 1990s. He is a former Philippine Basketball League commissioner from 1997-2000. He is also the Vice Governor of the province of Pampanga.Apollo Quiboloy - televangelist; born in Davao City to Kapampangan parents.Rey Langit - is a TV Personality, columnist of Tempo, Balita, People's Tonight, DWIZ-AM Station Manager, and host of Kasangga Mo ang Langit and Biyaheng Langit, both of which are aired over Radio Philippines Network and DWIZ.Rogelio dela Rosa - was one of the most popular Filipino matinee idols of the 20th century and was elected to the Senate in 1957. He was also the first film actor who was able to parlay his fame into a political career, paving the way for other Filipino entertainers-turned-politicians. He had an equally famous brother, Jaime dela Rosa, also a matinee idol in the 1950s.Rudy Fernandez - the son of the late film director Gregorio Fernandez.[1][3] Both his parents were from Lubao, Pampanga, which he considered his hometown.[4]Lorna Tolentino - is an actress, host, executive producer and wife of fellow Kapampangan actor Rudy Fernandez. She was born in Concepcion, Tarlac and was raised in Manila.Jean García - is a television and film actress who hails from Angeles City. Her most famous role was in the telenovela Pangako sa 'Yo where she played antagonist Madam Claudia.Carlos Badion - Philippine Basketball Team members, first Asian MVP in the now so called FIBA Asia. His moniker is "The Bad Boy". Known for his bicycle drive and jackknife layup.Ed Ocampo - an Olympian with the Big J. One of the great basketball players & coaches in the Philippines. Shin Dong Pa the Korean legend says Ocampo and Jaworski are his great opponents in basketball in the Asian Region.Mark Lapid - is an actor, film producer, and former governor of Pampanga (2004–2007). He is husband of an actress Tanya Garcia.Helen Gamboa- Helen Gamboa-Sotto (born May 7, 1948) in Pampanga, Philippines, is a veteran Filipina actress, singer, and former beauty queen.[1]Gaudencio "Dencio" Cabanela- Kapampangan boxing hero from San fernando, Pampanga. Beating a French and an Australian holder of three Oriental Titles, first Pinoy boxing hero. Died 1921, next boxing hero was Pancho Villa took the international fame.Ruffa Mae Quinto - popular sexy comedian from the Bubble GangRodel Fernando - Entertainment Writer, Radio/TV host from Apalit, PampangaArron Villaflor - popular ABS-CBN actor was born and raised in Tarlac, TarlacFernando Poe, Jr. - born Ronald Allan Kelley Poe and colloquially known as FPJ and Da King, was a Filipino actor and later politician, having run an unsuccessful bid for President of the Philippines in the 2004 presidential elections against the incumbent Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. His mother, Elizabeth Gatbonton Kelly is a Kapampangan from Candaba.Sharon Cuneta - dubbed as the "Megastar of Philippine Showbiz," is a popular Filipina actress, TV host, singer, endorser, grand slam awardee, box-office queen, hall of famer and a recipient of several lifetime achievement awards at a relatively young age. Her mother Elaine Gamboa-Cuneta (sister of Helen Gamboa ) is from Santa Ana, Pampanga.KC Concepcion - daughter of Philippine singer-actress Sharon Cuneta, and adopted daughter of former senator Francis Pangilinan. Her biological father was 80's heartthrob Gabby Concepcion.Lea Salonga - is a Tony Award-winning singer and actress who is best known for her portrayal of Kim in the musical Miss Saigon. She spent the first six years of her childhood in Angeles City before moving to Manila.Judy Ann Santos - is an award-winning and multi-nominated film and television actress. Her mom hails from San Fernando, Pampanga.Coco Martin- born Rodel Luis Cortez Nacianceno (born November 1, 1981 in Novaliches, Quezon City, Philippines) parents are native of Dolores, San Fernando, PampangaPaquito Diaz – is a veteran actor and director, whose mother is a Kapampangan.Leah Dizon - is a model, singer, and a TV personality and media icon in Japan, born in Las Vegas, Nevada.Vanessa Minnillo - is an American television personality born in Clark Air Base, Angeles City and raised in the US. She was Miss Teen USA 1998 and is currently a host on MTV's Total Request Live.Isabel Preysler - is a Filipino journalist, socialite, and television host, the Kapampangan ancestry of the Arrastia family is from Bataan. Besides the Iglesias children her socialite daughters Tamara Falco and Ana Boyer born from different relationships would also be of Kapampangan descent.Enrique Iglesias - is a Spanish singer-songwriter and occasional actor, son of Filipina Isabel PreyslerChábeli Iglesias - is a Spanish socialite, the daughter of Filipina socialite Isabel Preysler and the elder sister of Julio Iglesias Jr. and Enrique Iglesias.Julio Iglesias, Jr. - is a Spanish singer, son of Filipina Isabel Preysler.Hilda Koronel - is an award-winning actress who starred in around 45 films, many of which are critically acclaimed. Born Susan Reid, her father was an American serviceman.Lalaine Vergara- is an American actress, singer and spokesperson.Rufa Mae Quinto - is a popular actress and TV host, known for her comedy role in the film, Booba.Abbygale Williamson Arenas - is a former international model and beauty queen. She is now a freelance make-up artist.Francisco "Django" Bustamante - is a world-class billiards player from Tarlac.Mikee Cojuangco Jaworski- is a former Olympian (equestrian) and celebrity from Tarlac.Rosa Rosal- is a Philippine Red Cross advocate who hails from Sta. Rita, Pampanga.Elwood Perez- is a movie director from Mabalacat, Pampanga.Chris Tiu- is a TV host of Pinoy Records and an MVP of Ateneo Blue Eagles Basketball Team.Sarah Geronimo - is a popular singer, actress, movie star. She traces her roots in Concepcion, Tarlac while her father hails from Floridablanca, Pampanga.Ryzza Mae Dizon- (born June 12, 2005)is a Filipina child actress, comedian and television personality. She rose to prominence in 2012 when she won that year's edition of Eat Bulaga!'s Little Miss Philippines.Currently, she is the youngest host in the present roster of presenters in the variety show Eat Bulaga!, and hosts her own morning talk show The Ryzza Mae Show.Rosa del Rosario - a famous actress. Her real name was Rose del Rosario Stagner. Her mother was from Pampanga. She is the first female action hero who portrayed Darna in 1951 under Royal Films.Thia Megia - a participant of American Idol Season 10. She is from Angeles City, PampangaJohn Prats - mom hails from Angeles City, PampangaMaricel Laxa - her father Tony Ferrer was a popular actor from the 60's and 70'sLuis Manzano - mom Vilma Santos was born and raised in Bamban, TarlacBamboo Manalac - parents hail from Floridablanca, PampangaAljur Abrenica - GMA star from Angeles City, PampangaKris Aquino- Kristina Bernadette Cojuangco Aquino (born February 14, 1971), professionally known as Kris Aquino, is a Filipina television personality and actress who gained prominence and numerous endorsements from her talk shows, game shows, horror movies, massacre movies. She is the youngest daughter of former Philippine senator Benigno S. Aquino, Jr., and Corazon Cojuangco-Aquino, who served as the 11th President of the Philippines, and sister of Benigno S. Aquino, III, the 15th President of the Philippines.Dimples Romana - (born November 13, 1984 Dianne Marie Romana)[citation needed] is a Filipina actress and commercial model.
