ANGELES CITY -- Amanung Sisuan is sick and dying, and aggressive medication is needed to bring her vitality back. Her illness has multiple causes, mostly those that are caused by neglect.
Just like any other creation, tangible or not, one is bound to fade away if it will not be nurtured. She was alive and kicking before, but day by day, she is not getting the love and care that she needs and deserves.
Our patient, however, is not a person: she is a language, the Kapampangan language — the very heart and soul of our culture and identity as kabalens.
In this digital age, social media might be the cure, or at the very least, the life support.
A Facebook serye is uniting kabalens together, not only locally and nationally, but also globally: the quintessential Kapampangan mother, Pacita “Pacing” Cunanan.
Pacing, with her children—Gigi and Robert, her housekeeper—Millet Sunga and her ex-kumare and now mortal enemy—Rowena “Weng” Macaspac, are fictional characters who are making kabalens go crazy.
The FB-serye is composed of several videos, such as “Kapampangan mother reviews very first Starbucks experience” and “Kapampangan mother triggered by backstabbing kumari (friend) and declares ‘indredus’ (gossip) war”. This FB-serye, which earned a massive following, thousands of shares, reactions, and views, is highlighting the life of a typical Kapampangan mother who is often described as ‘makatak’ (talkative) and is fond of giving unsolicited comments—be it on food, her friend’s home decorations, and new experiences. Well basically on anything.
Pacing’s wit is taking Facebook by storm!
A favorite in this FB-serye is her ongoing fight with her nemesis—Weng, that escalated from “katak” wars to witchcraft. The falling-out happened after Pacing found out that her ex-kumare backstabbed her by telling their fellow churchgoers that she is makatak, and for the most ironic part, it happened after she received leche flan from Weng—talk about classic backstabbing titas!
The fight is far from over after Weng went to Patling, a barangay in Capas, Tarlac, and paid a “mangkukulam” (witch) to cast revenge against Pacing. Despite what Weng did, Pacing remains fearless because according to her, she is “kabalan,” (impervious to pain) after taking a bath at the darabulbul (gushing over) and buying plenty of kabal.
This viral Facebook craze is the brainchild of Kapampangan director Jason Paul Laxamana. He uses the filters of the mobile app, Snapchat, which also changes face and voice. Furthermore, what he did for fun unexpectedly became sensational and the kabalens kept asking for more.
The trend started with Pacing’s antics and now, we were introduced to her colorful yet makatak world. Indeed, this definitely brought the attention of thousands of Cabalens.
Looking back, we can say that social media can jump-start the healing process of Amanung Sisuan. The Kapampangan language is in danger and should not be taken for granted, because once she dies, it cannot be brought back. She is not yet a hopeless case—collective effort and creativity are all it takes. (Justin Joseph C. Dizon/AUF intern)