Exploring San Fernando, Pampanga: Arts, Food and Faith (1st of 3 Parts)

We went on a road trip to San Fernando, Pampanga last month, and it was both a memorable and enriching experience.   It took us almost two hours to reach the city, and our day trip gave us a glimpse of the many facets of Pampanga’s heritage, including paintings and religious artifacts, Kapampangan food, and historic churches.

Our morning started with a visit to the Museum of Philippine Arts and Culture, where we explored an impressive collection of works by some of the country's most celebrated artists, including Juvenal Sansó, Ang Kiukok, H.R. Ocampo, Malang, and Magsaysay-Ho.

The museum's collection, divided into two sections, included works by artists who received the Presidential Merit Award and those who were honored as National Artists of the Philippines. While each gallery showcased a different artistic perspective, together they painted a compelling portrait of Filipino life, history, and identity.

One fascinating detail we learned from our guide, Seb, was that artists such as Ang Kiukok and Juvenal Sansó often included a small dot or distinctive mark in their paintings to help identify the work as an original. Some visitors might overlook that detail, but it added another layer of appreciation for the artist's personality.

 

The art pieces are part of the personal collection of former Commissioner Andrea Domingo, and I noticed that many of the paintings celebrated Filipino women. Although expressed and painted in different styles,  they all seemed to capture the grace, strength, beauty, and femininity of the Filipina. The women portrayed in these works were not merely subjects; they were central figures in the story of Filipino life and culture.

 

Another recurring theme in the collection was Philippine rural life. Many of the paintings featured scenes such as farmers planting rice in lush fields, fishermen bringing in their catch, women weaving baskets by hand, and others gathering fruit from trees or carrying the day's harvest. Seb explained that many of the artists drew inspiration from the places where they lived, and it was easy to see how their communities, landscapes, and everyday experiences found their way onto canvas.

 After viewing the paintings, we went to another building in the complex that houses a collection of historical and religious artifacts. Among the most notable pieces were the many images and statues of the Virgin Mary and the Santo Niño. The images reflect the deep Catholic faith that has shaped Filipino’s belief and culture for centuries. 

The collection also included old pots, earthenware, and other ceremonial objects that offered a glimpse into how the earlier generations lived.

While I found the artifacts fascinating, I could not help feeling a little sad as I looked at some of them. Many of the religious images were clearly very old, and several appeared worn, faded, or in need of restoration. Their appearance may give them character and authenticity, but it also raises the need for their preservation.

Nevertheless, these artifacts, along with the artworks of Filipino masters, would someday help us better understand and remember the cultural, artistic, and spiritual foundations of our society.

Original images taken during our trip. No copyright infringement intended.

Kumusta or Kamusta?

It began with a speech that unexpectedly drew attention to a familiar part of everyday Filipino conversation: the simple act of asking, “How are you?” In a session discussing an incident in their office, a lady legislator had a complete meltdown because, according to her, some of her colleagues did not reach out to ask how she was doing. "Wala man lang nangamusta sa amin," she said. Nangumusta is a verb form of "kumusta," or "how are you." That brief comment, almost incidental to the larger issue, quickly spread online, and from there, the conversation took an interesting turn.

People began focusing not just on the act of checking in, but on the word itself. Should it be kumusta or kamusta?

Image generated with AI

At first, it felt like one of those light, almost trivial debates you’d see online. But the more people joined in, the more it became clear that this wasn’t just about spelling. It was about how Filipinos actually use language in everyday life.

Technically, kumusta is the standard form you’ll find in dictionaries and formal writing. Rooted in the Spanish greeting “¿cómo está?” it didn’t stay exactly the same. It changed, adjusted, and eventually took on a form that felt more natural to Filipino speakers. Somewhere along the way, variations like kumusta and kamusta settled in.  Many Filipinos naturally say kamusta in everyday life. It’s what shows up in conversations and casual greetings.

Both are widely used and widely understood.  No one would stop you mid-conversation to clarify which one you meant. There’s no confusion, no misunderstanding. It’s just one of those cases where the “proper” version and the “everyday” version exist side by side.

And that’s really the point: language evolves the way people use it. One form may be more formal, the other more conversational, but neither feels out of place.   

Still, the discussion goes back to something more important than spelling. Whether you say kumusta or kamusta, the meaning is the same: it’s a simple way to check in and connect with family and friends.  Something very important to us Filipinos. 

So in the end, it’s not about choosing the “right” word. You don’t have to overthink it. You can say kumusta. You can say kamusta. Either one works, and most people won’t give it a second thought.
What matters more is to say it and mean it when you do.  Because sometimes, that small question, however you spell it, becomes an act of reaching out and, small as it may seem, keeps that human connection alive.

Salawikain: Filipino Nuggets of Wisdom and Life Lessons

 I met some friends from college over the weekend; during our chat, one of them blurted out a Filipino saying, “palay na ang lumapit sa manok,” or “It’s the palay (rice) that came to the chicken.”   We laughed and then wondered if Filipinos still use these sayings or what we call “salawikain” in daily conversations.

Salawikain are short sayings that offer wisdom, insights, and guidance on various aspects of life. These proverbs are deeply rooted in Filipino culture and used by elders to impart moral values and lessons to the younger generation.

Our discussion shifted to these sayings, and we had fun explaining what we thought they meant. Let me share some of the salawikain that cropped up during our talk.

 Let’s begin with the one that started the conversation,”palay na ang lumapit sa manok.”  or  “It is the rice that came to the chicken.” The saying connotes that someone got lucky since the opportunity presented itself to him. Often though, it takes a negative meaning, like in our chat, where the speaker talked about a friend who had an affair because the woman made the first moves. What else can he do since “palay na ang lumapit sa manok.” NOTE: I know this example could trigger some people, but I do not intend to cause harm, and  I am just putting some context.

If anyone wants to say something unpleasant and doesn't want to name the persons involved, she'd probably say "Bato bato sa langit, tamaan ay huwag magalit" or "rocks in the sky, whoever get gets hit should not get angry."  If it is something that should remain secret, the speaker should be warned that "may tainga ang lupa, may pakpak ang balita" or "the ground has ears and stories have wings," which implies that stories could spread fast 

One of the most well-known Filipino proverbs is “Kung may tiyaga, may nilaga,"  which translates to "If one has patience, he will have soup." This proverb highlights the value of hard work, patience, and determination in achieving one's goals. Perhaps our ancestors used nilaga as a metaphor for hard work because it was hard to cook before pressure cookers and slow cookers. Nilaga consists of beef slowly boiled until the meat is tender before adding potatoes, cabbage, and other vegetables. Of course, they only have wood stoves and clay pots to cook in, so it must have taken a lot of patience and hard work.

A similar proverb is "Habang may buhay, may pag-asa." (While there is life, there is hope.) This proverb reminds us that no matter how difficult our circumstances may be, there is always hope for a better future. My favorite salawikain reflects the Filipino’s resilience and our ability to make the most of what we have: “Kung maigsi ang kumot, matutong mamuluktot” or “If the blanket is short, learn to curl.”

 On the flipside is the saying, "Ang taong nagigipit, sa patalim man ay kumakapit,” which means, "A desperate person  will cling even to a sharp edge." This proverb suggests that people will do whatever it takes to survive in difficult situations, even if it means taking risks or doing something unlawful.

 Filipino proverbs often encourage people to remain humble and treat others with respect. For example, "Ang hindi marunong lumingon sa pinanggalingan ay hindi makakarating sa paroroonan." This proverb says, "Those who do not look back at where they came from will not reach their destination." This proverb reminds people of the importance of remembering their roots and acknowledging those who helped them along the way. 

"Huwag kang magtiwala sa di mo kakilala,"  (Do not trust people you do not know) cautions against trusting strangers.  "Ang sakit ng kalingkingan ay ramdam ng buong katawan," (The whole body feels the pain of the smallest finger) stresses the importance of every part of society and that the problems in a small area could affect the entire community. Finally, “aanhin pa ang damo kung patay na ang kabayo” (what’s the grass for when the horse is already dead) teaches us to solve our problems immediately and not wait until it is too late.

Filipino proverbs play an essential role in Filipino culture and are an excellent way to impart wisdom, values, and insights to the younger generation. They offer guidance on various aspects of life, including relationships, work, and personal development. Whether used in casual conversations or formal settings, these proverbs are integral to Filipino culture and identity.

Do you know any salawikain aside from what I shared?  Please share in the comments section.

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