Kapampangan people

The Kapampangans are the seventh largest Filipino ethnic group.

Area

The Kapampangans primarily live in the provinces of Pampanga and Tarlac, as well as in the provinces of Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Bulacan, and Zambales.

Culture

The Kapampangan people are widely thought to be the most enlightened and cultured of the Christian Filipino ethnic groups. However, there is a prevalent notion among other Filipino ethnic groups that Kapampangans are the most egotistical among them.

Demographics

Kapampangans number about 2,492,000. Kapampangans are descended from Austronesian-speaking immigrants to the Philippines during the Iron Age. Kapampangans speak the Kapampangan language, a member of the Meso-Philippine group of the Western Malayo-Polynesian languages. Many Kapampangans are Roman Catholics, Ang Dating Daan Members, and some are Protestants. Very few are Buddhists.

Famous Kapampangans

• Benigno Aquino Jr. - Philippine Senator whose assassination triggered the events that lead to the People Power Revolution.
  
• Jose Abad Santos - national hero executed by the Japanese in WWII.
  
• Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo - current president of the Republic of the Philippines.
  
• Diosdado Macapagal - 9th President of the Philippines and was nicknamed "The Incorruptible".
  
• Ben Cabrera - internationally renowned master of modern Philippine art.
  
• Rogelio De La Rosa was the most famous Filipino actor in the 1950's who was later appointed to be Philippine Ambassador.
  

History

Before the arrival of the Spaniards in the late 16th century, the Kapampangan people made up the bulk of the population of what the Ming Dynasty texts referred to as the Kingdom of Lusong (呂宋國). They were known to be traders and explorers. They penetrated the Chinese market at a time when the Ming Dynasty banned all foreign trade and so profited immensely from it. Although 16th century Kapampangan society reflected most of what was prevalent in Southeast Asia ~ small communities made up chiefly of the same clans ruled by a council of elders ~ certain communities rose up to become centers of trade and power. Noted among these is the ancient state of Tungdo (東都) or "the Eastern Capital" and Betis.

Extensive farming and fishing were the main industries of the Kapampangan people. But at the height of Lusong's importance in the China trade in the 16th century, maritime trading, and perhaps even piracy, became the main source of profit. As one of the Lucoes (people of Lusong), many Kapampangans worked as mercenaries for the variuos states and kingdoms in Southeast Asia. Lusong became such an important center in Chinese trade that the Kingdom of Brunei was forced to invade it in 1500. The city of Manila was created by the Burneians to oversee the trade in Brunei's interest. Japanese records show that important traders like Luzon Sukezaemon and Shimai Soshitsu openned up shop in Lusong. At a time when the Ming Dynasty banned its citizens from going out of China, the Kapampangan traders from Lusong who brought Chinese goods all across Southeast Asia were thought of as Chinese.

The Kapampangan people sense of self-importance must have risen in direct proportion to Lusong's growth and rise to prominence in the 16th century China trade. This development might have helped shape the Kapampangan people's attitude and the way that they were percieved historically by other ethnic groups.

Religion

Kapampangans are extremely devout to the Roman Catholic faith. Every town within Pampanga has at least one church and several small chapels. There are at least 26 churches all throughout the province. Religious holidays such as Holy Week, Christmas and the feast of St. John the Baptist are highly celebrated festivals often visited by local and international tourists.

External links

• Essays on Kapampangan Nationalism
• Essays on Kapampangan Spirituality
• Essays on Kapampangan Cultural Issues