By Erlinda T. Yutuc (PIO)
Advocacy efforts of the Pampanga Language Council (PLC) to promote and rekindle public appreciation and passion for the Kapampangan language are fast gaining grounds as concerned sectors actively participated in the recently concluded Aldo ning Amanung Sisuan celebration in the province.
This was reported by PLC Chair Erlinda Cruz as she acknowledged the all-out support of Pampanga Governor Lilia G. Pineda and the council’s members in the successful conduct of various activities for the three-day annual celebration of Aldo ning Amanung Sisuan.
Provincial Chief of Staff Rosve Henson lauded the council members for their remarkable efforts to promote public awareness, consciousness and appreciation of the Kapampangan language and its rich heritage as he extended the governor’s 100 percent support and commitment to the PLC’s undertakings.
Henson said that advocacy activities on the Kapampangan language should be done not only during August for the Aldo ning Amanung Sisuan celebration but throughout the year.
“Tutung maulaga ing pakamalan, sesen at gambulan ya ing kekatamung amanung sisuan,” Henson said as he enjoined all concerned groups to continuously devise ways and means to effectively promote the Kapampangan language through poems, stories and polosa and other literary forms.
Cruz reported that some 150 teachers from both public and private elementary schools in the province attended the one-day seminar on the Department of Education (DepEd) Order No. 74 which pertains to the mother tongue-based multi-lingual education.
“We hope that through the implementation of the said department’s order, more teachers and students will learn to appreciate the Kapampangan language and its use as an effective tool for learning.”
She added that students, out-of-school youths and adults “Polosador” in various towns of the province also joined the two Polosa competitions, sponsored by the PLC and the provincial government.
“The Polosa competitions were successful as Totoy Bato, Pusoy Dos and other famous Polosadors in the province and other interested groups turned up to witness the said events,” Cruz said as she explained that Polosa, in poetry form, is sung to the beat of basulto in rhyming pattern.
Winners in the adult category of the Polosa competition were Julie Ronquillo, first place; Jelyn Zubiaga, second place and Danilo David, third place.
For the elementary school pupils category, adjudged winners were Angel Ann Mendoza of San Luis, first place; Hannah Daluran of Porac, second place; and Raven Balilu of Barangay Mitla, Porac, third place.
Cash prizes in the amount of P10,000 for the first place; P7,000 for the second place;P5,000 for the third place and P1,000 consolation for the other contestants will be given, Cruz added.
The winners, she explained, were adjudged on their voice quality, 40 percent; stage presence, 20 percent; timing and rhyme, 20 percent and audience impact, 20 percent.
Members of the board judges in the adult category were Councilor John Cayanan of Sta.Rita town, Amando Guigante, Policarpio Batac, Romeo Rodriguez and Rene Reyes while judges in the elementary school pupils category include Gaudencio Sagum, Eufrocina Peña, Felix Garcia, Jaspe Dula and Francisco Guintu.
The three-day celebration which started on August 26 culminated with the launching of two poetry books and coronation of five new poets laureate at the Holy Angel University last August 28.
Entitled “Kasapunggul a Sampaga Volume 2” and “Kawatasan: Obrang Poeta Laureado”, the books are compilation of the poetry works of Aguman Akademya Ning Amanung Sisuan International (ANASI) and other Pampanga-based poets.
Governor Pineda and 2nd District Representative Gloria Arroyo led the ceremonial ribbon cutting in the said ceremonies co-sponsored by the HAU and the Paranasung Kapampangan.
Aside from Cruz, the PLC is composed of the governor as the honorary chairman, Board Member Edna David as vice-chairman with the Department of Education (DepEd), Angeles University Foundation (AUF),University of the Assumption (UA), Holy Angel University (HAU), Republic Central Colleges (RCC), local organizations like the Aguman Buklod Kapampangan (ABK), ABK-Bagong Suli, ANASI, Aguman Talasulat Kapampangan (AGTAKA), Defenders of Indigenous Languages of the Archipelago (DILA), ASLAG and AKKAP as members and the Arts, Culture and Tourism Office of Pampanga (ACTOP) for needed technical support and services.
