Preserving the Kapampangan music

It has been observed time and time again that one of the things that Filipinos are deficient in is their sense of history. That is why street names are constantly being changed and historical buildings being demolished. That is also why the youth has a very inadequate idea of the rich cultural heritage of this country and why the native music of the various provinces is now in danger of becoming extinct.

It is a very sad situation but one that the Pampangueños have found a way to remedy thanks to the founding of the Arti Sta. Rita Foundation Inc. The organization passionately believes culture is the soul of our race and to dig deeper into our rich and noble cultural heritage is to establish a connection and pride to one’s self, to one’s soul.

Arti Sta. Rita envisions cultural development as an essential element in bringing about human growth and progress. Therefore its foremost mission is to impart and improve cultural consciousness through appreciation for culture and the arts. It promises to tap and cultivate human potential, primarily among the youth in the different arts and to provide an outlet for artistic expression.

With help from the provincial government and private entities like the Don Juan Nepomuceno Center for Kapampangan Studies of the Holy Angel University and the tireless efforts of artistic director and choreographer Andy Alviz, Arti Sta. Rita now boasts of 70 all-volunteer members. Their ages range from five to 60 years old and come from all walks of life. That means students, professionals, housewives, etc.

The group is only four years old. Thanks to Alviz’ theater experience, he was the resident choreographer of the musical Miss Saigon in Asia and that of members Recy Pineda, Randy del Rosario, Hancel Lapid and Gie Lansang, the musical directors, plus Bernhard Lansang and Ging Pineda, the music supervisors, the Arti Sta. Rita has already attained a goodly degree of prominence. It has performed in high-profile concerts that starred Lea Salonga and Rachelle Ann Go, at the annual Duman Festival held in Pampanga in November, staged the two-act Kapampangan musical Pangaslag ning Aldo with great success and released two CDs of Kapampangan music.

These albums are Pamanuli which will be launched on Saturday, July 9 at the historic San Guillermo Parish Church in Bacolor and Kapampangan Ku, which was released two years ago. The good news here is not only that the public can now treat itself to the able performances of the Arti Sta. Rita Choir but that these albums introduce new Kapampangan compositions and have permanently preserved Kapampangan folk songs on discs for generations to come.

Unfortunately on my part, the only titles I recognize are Atin Cu Pung Singsing and O Kaka, O Kaka but the two albums have now given me some insight into the joyful lilt and plaintive romanticism inherent in the music of Pampanga. Kapampangan Ku is a 15-track album that contains 11 folk songs and four originals including the title cut Kapampangan Ku, which was written by Alviz. Pamanuli, also written by Alviz is part of the 10 Kapampangan folk songs and five originals included in the album of the same title.

Together with these title tracks are folk songs like Oyan Na Ing Papel, Pusu, Bidang, Inyang Malati Ku, Ating Metung A Dalaga, Atsing Rosing/King Kadayatmalatan, Tumaila, Dalumdum Ning Bingi, Indung Balayan, Maring, Mareng, Kauran, Sintang Matua, Mekeni King Siping Ku, Ing Malsinta/Beria, Aro!, Dalagang Ritena and O Patag A Bundok. Non-Kapampangan speakers will be glad to know that English translations of the songs are provided in the lyric sheets that come with every copy of the CDs.

Arti Sta. Rita was initially founded to accommodate the natives of the town of Sta. Rita but other Kapampangans will be glad to know that membership is now open to other towns. Help is needed from everybody to revive and preserve the rich Kapampangan heritage. Along with its aims to "build strength of character by instilling positive values, discipline, respect, commitment, dedication, perseverance, fellowship and spirituality, the foundation is also giving scholarship grants to members. At present, it has two high school students studying in Sta. Rita College, Pampanga and two college students at the University of the Philippines and the University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music.

Now wouldn’t it be nice if every region or better yet every Filipino dialect will also be able to preserve its musical heritage in albums like Kapampangan Ku and Pamanuli.