Kapampangan separatism

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Kapampangan Separatism (Kapampangan: Matimawang Pampanga; Tagalog: Kasarinlan ng Pampanga) is a regionalist and separatist idea promoting independence for the province of Pampanga and surrounding territories where the Kapampangan people reside, collectively referred to as  [pam].

Flag used by the Kapampangan dragoon regiment in the 18th century.

No movement explicitly promoting Kapampangan independence has existed historically, with Kapampangans voluntarily supporting the Spanish[1] and American[2] regimes in succession. However, recent years have seen increased Kapampangan regionalist sentiment, with  [pam] founding of the Center for Kapampangan Studies being a landmark for Kapampangan culture.[3] This sentiment intensified with proposals for federalism in the Philippines and the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.[4] Dissatisfaction at the proposed Federal Constitution,[5] anger at perceived special treatment for Bangsamoro,[6] and growing awareness of historical Kapampangan economic, political, and social institutions all contributed to growing resentment for the government in Manila.

History[]

Pre-colonial institutions into autonomy under Spain[]

Kapampangan political arrangements[]

Kapampangan political institutions before the Spanish conquest remained largely informal, emphasizing close relations between elites and governed subjects to ensure prosperous harvests, productive crafts, free trade, and peaceful living.[1] Three broad divisions of society existed: elites, freemen, and serfs. Elites served as community leaders, who coordinated closely with their subject freemen and serfs. Although succession usually passed to the eldest son, anyone could contest the succession and be elected as leader instead. Both elites and freemen had similar lives, consisting of work and trade. Elite lives differed in powers of rule and judgement, and payment of tribute taxes, with no other privileges. A customary code also existed which placed limits on elites' powers. Lastly, any leader could be deposed by a council formed by other Kapampangan elites. Freemen could own property and marry freely, being subject to the datu only in tribute taxes and legal cases. This societal group performed most production, and they contributed to Pampanga's relatively advanced material culture. One freeman, Panday Pira, forged cannons in his foundry near Manila. He would later serve the Spanish as a blacksmith. On the other hand, serfs were almost entirely similar with historical European serfs. They owed tribute and obedience to their owner, and could regain freedom by paying off debts.

This order contrasted with nearby Tagalog and even far-away Visayan polities, which harbored complex political institutions, rigid hierarchies, and expansive elite powers.[7] One may also note the lack of chattel slavery in Pampanga. Spanish suzerainty barely changed these arrangements, with Spanish rule seen as a mutually beneficial arrangement. Reduccions common in other areas never happened in Pampanga, for most Kapampangans had already lived settled lives. One new and lasting element that Spanish rule introduced, however, was the Catholic faith. While paganism and animism remained predominant in other areas, all of Pampanga had already converted by the mid-17th century. This arrangement revealed its strength with people like Martin Sancho, a Kapampangan boy who had convinced King Philip II to retain the Philippines as a Spanish colony by reciting prayers and catechism in Latin. Martin Sancho would go on to be the first Jesuit from the Philippines.[8]

Cooperation with Spanish suzerainty[]

Kapampangans remained an autonomous vassal of the Spanish crown for more than two hundred years.[9] In this time, they provided voluntary military and economic support to Spanish operations in the East Indies. This cooperation began with the attempted Dutch invasions of the Philippines. Kapampangan forces provided most of the Spanish manpower that resisted the invaders.[10] In the town of Abucay, 200 Kapampangans and Spaniards, including the Alcalde-Mayor, died while defending the town from the Dutch. Later on, Kapampangan soldiers aided the Spanish in overseas conquests, fighting in Formosa, Guam, and Palaos, to name a few expeditions. Spanish chroniclers wrote of Kapampangans as resembling Spaniards more than most indios.[11]

Only once did Kapampangan loyalty waver, when the government in Manila attempted to impose greater obligations and duties on Kapampangans for labor and fees. These acts prompted the Maniago rebellion, pacified without bloodshed through Jun Macapagal's intervention. This attempted rebellion threatened Spanish authorities, however, for Kapampangans had received training and armaments equal to Spanish ones. One friar, Father Casimiro Diaz, even remarked that "one Spaniard and three Pampangos were equal to four Spaniards" for the Kapampangans had assimilated well into Spanish life.[12]

A map of speakers of Central Luzon languages: Kapampangan, Sambal, and Remontado. These areas used to be contiguous parts of the Spanish province of La Pampanga, but have since been partitioned.

Otherwise, Kapampangan loyalty remained strong. Kapampangan elites managed to bargain for continued serfdom in Pampanga, using the vast Kapampangan rice harvests as leverage for this continued privilege.[1] Manila and its environs could not survive without Kapampangan farmers, who provided most of the food going to their tables.[13] Kapampangan forces mustered under General Simon de Anda to repel the British invasion, going as far as to besiege the invaders in Manila itself.[14] In exchange, Kapampangans entered elite schools and universities, whether in Manila or Spain. Kapampangans also entered the lower nobility,[15] receiving honors and titles normally reserved for Spaniards.

The Philippine Revolution[]

In the 1890s, conflicts between Tagalog landholders, religious orders, and the Spanish government paved the way for increasing separatist ideology.[16] Freemasonry had entered the Philippines recently, and bolstered these movements through anti-clerical sentiment. A wave of reformists requested increased Philippine representation in the Cortez, spearheaded by José Rizal. More radical Tagalog bourgeoisie under Andrés Bonifacio broke off from this movement, and began preparing for armed rebellion.[16]

Kapampangan relations with the Church and the Spanish crown remained friendly and stable, with a purge of Freemasons in 1892 preventing the Katipunan's spread to Pampanga. When the rebellion began in 1896, Kapampangans enlisted en masse with Spain.[1] Kapampangan forces fought intermittent battles with the rebels, up until the Peace of Biak-na-Bato. Only Pampanga remained loyal among the eight provinces placed under martial law by Governor-General Ramon Blanco. Succeeding Governor-General Camilio de Polavieja requested the Spanish crown to award all of Pampanga the title muy noble y muy leal for service against the rebellion.[1]

As Spanish power weakened, however, rebel forces managed to gain footholds in Pampanga. Massacres and assassinations figured as the Katipunan revenged Kapampangan loyalty to Spain. The town of Macabebe, which harbored the last Spanish remnants in Pampanga, would see many houses razed by Katipuneros. Even the parish priests of San Fernando and Mabalacat were executed in public by Katipuneros under General Jose Alejandrino.[1]

Spanish rule would be quickly replaced by American, with the latter's forces quickly pushing back Emilio Aguinaldo's forces to Pampanga. The province became a battlefield between Republican and American forces.[1] Kapampangans, most notably the Macabebe Scouts, quickly joined American forces in fighting the Republic. Macabebe scouts aided in Emilio Aguinaldo's capture in Isabela province.[2]

Independent Philippines[]

During the independent period, Kapampangan language and culture were marginalized as nationalist sentiment forced the idea of a united Philippines.[17][18] A Tagalog-based national language known as Pilipino became the first attempt to spread one native language among Philippine citizens. While Spanish[19] and English were already Philippine linguae francae, nationalists demanded that a native language replace them. After the People Power Revolution, the 1986 Constitution mandated a language known as Filipino become the national language. The Kapampangan language would be relegated to an auxiliary dialect.

Calls for independence[]

Autonomy as a federal state[]

The first legal action that called for federalism was Joint Resolution No. 10,[20] introduced by 12 senators: Aquilino Pimentel Jr., Edgardo Angara, Rodolfo Biazon, Pia Cayetano, Juan Ponce Enrile, Francis Escudero, Jinggoy Estrada, Gregorio Honasan, Panfilo Lacson, Francis Pangilinan, Ramon Revilla Jr. and Manuel Villar. Among others, the authors emphasized unequal economic development and the Moro rebellions as prime motivators for Federalism. This proposal met wide backlash, with commentators like Rene Azurin noting that only provinces like Cebu and the combined Pampanga and Tarlac could stand alone financially.[21] Federalist sentiment intensified under President Rodrigo Duterte's tenure, with Senator Pimentel renewing his campaign for Federalism.[22] The President himself used Federalism as one of his campaign platforms.[23]

However, the proposed Constitution disappointed federalists,[5] with barely any changes to central government powers compared to the 1987 constitution. Pimentel's proposal for federal states also lumped together the provinces of Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales with surrounding provinces with Tagalog majorities, causing calls of unfairness when compared with the Bangsamoro state.[4][6] Notable Kapampangan advocates like Michael Pangilingan have since campaigned for Kapampangan separatism.[24]

Separatism[]

Calls for separatism remain scattered, with no unifying movements yet. However, individual calls for separatism remain loud. As mentioned, Michael Pangilingan, founder of the Juan D Nepomuceno Center for Kapampangan Studies,[3] has advocated that Pampanga become its own independent state.[24] He has warned that Tagalog culture and language threaten Kapampangans, with loan words and Tagalog mentalities fast encroaching[25]

Most separatist advocates are bloggers and academics,[26][27][4] and regionalism has not yet reached popular appeal.[28][29] An underground movement, however, still builds,[27] and separatist sentiment may begin rising soon.

Prospects for independence[]

Economy[]

The provinces of Pampanga and Tarlac see many new businesses start every year. In 2018 alone, 26,000 new businesses were registered for the province of Pampanga.[30] That same year also saw an additional 50,646 people find work. Pampanga and Tarlac also share the claim to being Region III's largest exporters, with both provinces producing 93% of all exports. Most exports are in sectors like electronics, machineries, and textiles. Both provinces also dominate agribusiness, with chicken, egg, tilapia, and bangus production being one of the country's largest.[4]

Pampanga and Tarlac also lead in human development, attaining 9th and 16th places, respectively.[31] Literacy, health systems, and quality of life have high standards in these provinces. Education also takes priority, with four universities entering the top 100 in the country.[4]

Lastly, the province of Pampanga pays more in taxes to the National Government than it receives.[32] The Department of Budget and Management allocates Internal Revenue Allotments to all highly urbanized cities and provinces across the country, and the province of Pampanga receives much less than four billion of the 16 billion paid to the National Government. Independence, adherents say, would allow more efficiency in resource allocation.

Criticism[]

Critics of Filipino regionalism point to the need for national identity and unity. Virgilio Almario, chair of the Commission on the Filipino Language, denies that other dialects in the country would be stamped out by Tagalog.[33] He claims that Filipino is a living language, incorporating Tagalog and other regional dialects would change and evolve as needs be. Almario also stresses that one Filipino language allows loanwords from provincial dialects to be used.

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Owen, Norman G.; Larkin, John A. (1973). "The Pampangans: Colonial Society in a Philippine Province". Pacific Affairs. 46 (1): 176. doi:10.2307/2756288. ISSN 0030-851X. JSTOR 2756288.
  2. ^ a b LAURIE, CLAYTON D. (1989). "The Philippine Scouts: America's Colonial Army, 1899-1913". Philippine Studies. 37 (2): 174–191. ISSN 0031-7837. JSTOR 42634583.
  3. ^ a b ayaminamino (2017-11-01). "CENTER FOR KAPAMPANGAN STUDIES: PROMOTING A WONDERFUL CULTURE". A M B I D E X T R O U S + G U R L. Retrieved 2021-06-06.
  4. ^ a b c d e "A KAPAMPANGAN STATE: A MUST UNDER A FEDERAL SYSTEM | Kapampangan Media". kapampangan.org. Retrieved 2021-06-06.
  5. ^ a b "Highlighted annotations: FAKE federalism in the Duterte constitution" (PDF). Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  6. ^ a b Constantina, Jeronimo. "The case for contiguous Kapampangan statehood" (PDF).
  7. ^ Woods, Damon L. (2017). The myth of the barangay : and other silenced histories. ISBN 978-971-542-821-7. OCLC 1015215836.
  8. ^ Schumacher, J.N. (2003). "The early Filipino clergy: 1698–1762". Philippine Studies.
  9. ^ Pangilingan, Mike (2014). "An Introduction to the Kapampángan Language" (PDF).
  10. ^ Borao Mateo, José Eugenio (2013-12-09). "Contextualizing the Pampangos (and Gagayano) soldiers in the Spanish fortress in Taiwan (1626-1642)". Anuario de Estudios Americanos. 70 (2): 581–605. doi:10.3989/aeamer.2013.2.07. ISSN 1988-4273.
  11. ^ 1650-1724., Gaspar de San Agustin (1890). Conquistas de las islas Filipinas la temporal, por las armas del señor don Phelipe Segundo el Prudente; y la espiritval, por los religiosos del orden de nuestro padre San Augustin: fvndacion, y progressos de sv provincia del santissimo nombre de Jesus ... L.N. de Gaviria. OCLC 614011413.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  12. ^ Diaz., Gaspar de san Agustin, M.R.P.Fr. Casimiro (1890). Conquistas de las Islas Filipinas : la temporal por las armas de nuestros católicos reyes de España, y la espiritual por los religiosos de la orden, de San Agustin, y findación y progresos de la provincia del santísimo nombre de Jesús de la misma orden. De Gaviria. OCLC 68886358.
  13. ^ 1938-, Doeppers, Daniel F. (2016). Feeding Manila in peace and war, 1850-1945. The University of Wisconsin Press. ISBN 978-0-299-30513-0. OCLC 1127520014.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  14. ^ Flannery, Kristie Patricia (2016). "Battlefield Diplomacy and Empire-building in the Indo-Pacific World during the Seven Years' War". Itinerario. 40 (3): 467–488. doi:10.1017/s0165115316000668. ISSN 0165-1153. S2CID 164651055.
  15. ^ Santiago, Luciano (1991). "THE BROWN KNIGHT: THE RISE AND FALL OF DON NICOLAS DE HERRERA (1614-1680)". Philippine Quarterly of Culture and Society.
  16. ^ a b Jim., Richardson (2013). The Light of Liberty : Documents and Studies on the Katipunan, 1892-1897. Ateneo de Manila University Press. ISBN 978-971-550-852-0. OCLC 1139923810.
  17. ^ Tayag, Renato (1985). The Vanishing Pampango Nation. Manila: Philnabank Club.
  18. ^ Pangilingan, Mike. "The Creation of the Filipino Nation and the Decline of the Kapampangan Language | Siuálâ Ding Meángûbié". Retrieved 2021-06-06.
  19. ^ 1880-, Nieva, Gregorio, ed. The Philippine review (Revista filipina) [Vol. 2, no. 1]. Manila, P.I.,: G. Nieva [etc.] OCLC 701328541.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
  20. ^ Senate of the Republic of the Philippines (2008). "Joint Resolution No. 10: A Joint Resolution to convene Congress into a Constituent Assembly for the purpose of revising the constitution to establish a federal system of government" (PDF).
  21. ^ B., Azurin, René (2007). Stationary bandits : essays on political power. Platypus Pub. OCLC 608422466.
  22. ^ ABS-CBN News. Nene Pimentel gives details on proposal for federalist government, retrieved 2021-06-07
  23. ^ News, by Joworski Alipon, ABS-CBN (2014-10-06). "Duterte wants Cha-cha for federalism". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 2021-06-07.
  24. ^ a b Panglingan, Michael. "Just Cause for a Kapampangan National Liberation | Siuálâ Ding Meángûbié". Retrieved 2021-06-07.
  25. ^ Pangilingan, Michael. "Kapampangan Lexical Borrowing from Tagalog: Endangerment rather than Enrichment" (PDF). Eleventh International Conference on Austronesian Linguistics.
  26. ^ "Kapampángan's Continuing Struggle". Sínupan Singsing. 2019-04-24. Retrieved 2021-06-07.
  27. ^ a b Ketak nang Mike. Underground Kapampangan Movement, retrieved 2021-06-07
  28. ^ Pangilingan, Michael. "Ethnic Cleansing in Indûng Kapampángan | Siuálâ Ding Meángûbié". Retrieved 2021-06-07.
  29. ^ "Kapampángan Language is "Definitely Endangered" - UNESCO". Sínupan Singsing. 2019-03-07. Retrieved 2021-06-07.
  30. ^ Villa, Kathleen de (2020-08-08). "Pampanga rising to new heights". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2021-06-06.
  31. ^ "Provincial Human Development Index". PX-Web. Retrieved 2021-06-06.
  32. ^ "Where do Kapampangan Taxes Go?". Sandalan ning Katimawan. 2021-06-30.
  33. ^ Kilates, Marne (2015-08-25). "Filipino is no longer Tagalog". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2021-06-06.

External Links[]

Retrieved from ""