Vibrant Pampanga

By Minerva Zamora-Arceo

Column Title: Let’s Talk About It

Article Title: Vibrant Pampanga

September 8, 2008

At no other point in time since I settled in Pampanga in the late 90’s that the province is as lively and as vibrant as it is today.

Inside the government buildings, malls, coffee shops, public markets, private offices, conventions, sari-sari stores and almost in every household, Kapampangans talk of their government, socio-political conditions and even culture and arts.

With the ongoing recall move against Gov. Among Ed Panlilio and the numerous events all over the province, Pampanga’s energy transcends geographical boundaries. At present, the true essence of democracy lives in the province. The different views on the current political turmoil whether this may be reform, resign or recall Among Ed, are an indication of the Kapampangan’s maturity as nation.

I say nation because as people, we are bonded not only by our physical location but of our shared identity and aspirations. Even Kapampangans abroad are actively participating in intellectual and political debates online. Two of the leading Kapampangan forums are now making waves in the net. These are the www.groups.yahoo.com/group/ALAYA and the www.groups.yahoo.com/group/AMANUNG SISUAN. Try visiting the sites and you will be surprised on how far Kapampangans have “conquered” the new electronic medium.

The ambience is too intense that many issues were passionately argued either in person or on-line. I look at this as a healthy exercise in enhancing our competence as individuals and enriching our culture as nation.

One interesting topic though is the “debate” on the definition of Kapampangan Art. Some of our Kabalens believe that an artwork becomes “Kapampangan” when it is created by a Kapampangan or when a “Kapampangan” material or subject is used as a medium like lahar. Others, however, oppose this concept believing that it doesn’t resolve paradoxical situations like for example, a Kapampangan creating “rice gods” of Benguet using materials from Baguio City. Does it follow then that what this artist created can already be considered as “Kapampangan Art” just because he is a native Kapampangan? Or take another example, a non-Kapampangan using lahar for his subject rice gods, which are identified with the Ibaloys and Kankanaeuys. Would you call his creation “Kapampangan Art”?

These are only few of the problematic issues that must be addressed properly in order to come with a concrete and accepted definition of Kapampangan Art.

But an interesting philosophy of the movement of Alaya made me realize a different meaning to Kapampangan Art. Our “Art” by the way should not be limited to visual arts. The Kapampangan Art is everywhere, visible and existent anytime in our midst.

Our language for example is part of our artistic superiority as nation. We Kapampangans talk in metaphors and symbolisms in our everyday life. Far from our ethnic group counterparts all over the country, it is possible that we are the only people who might be using metaphors in our daily conversations. Take for example the words “Salangi ko pu!” which does not simply mean “go inside” or “come inside” instead, from the root word “sala” means light, we mean “Please come in and give light (to my home/abode).” This is a metaphor for how can a human being give light in its literal sense? Adapin, nanu ka wari bombilya? But of course, we actually mean “give light and warmth (to my home/abode).”

And why do we say “manese na ka” in ordering someone to cook rice? The word manese means “to nurture.” Kapampangans don’t usually say “maglutu kang nasi” or “cook rice” instead we say “manese na ka.” Realize how profound our language is. We see rice as a basic food to nurture our family. 

But going back to the examples given in visual arts, how can we say that an artwork is indeed a Kapampangan Art?

I believe that in order to define Kapampangan Art, it is necessary to analyze how Kapampangans think. And this can be seen in our basulto, an ancient form of Kapampangan song that is metered in eight lines with six syllables per line which appears to be meaningless but pose an enigma to enrich a person’s intuition.

Our ancestors talk in riddles. They speak in metaphors. This show how rich our culture is. And so, most of the works of our visual artists, particularly the Pampanga Arts Guild (PAG), can also be seen in this consciousness. In most of their exhibits under the National Commission on Culture and Arts (NCCA) projects, known Kapampangan sculptor Edille Paras said their works were identified from the others because of their distinctive use of mixed media. But most of their subjects have underlying meanings that are inspired by the Alaya or “that which is not there,” the empty space inside the ring. (By the way, I will write another column for the Alaya movement to give further background on this Kapampangan philosophy.) 

And the underlying meanings seem to be “not there” but they are “there.” This makes their works enigmatic. And for me, enigmatic would best define our “Art” for it is reflective in our everyday life…in our language, in our culture, from the old days up to now. (30)

Addressing the Issue on Energy

Column Title: Let's Talk About It
By Minerva Zamora-Arceo
Punto, August 28, 2008

Although the prices of petroleum products slightly dropped this month, economists look at the trend in an upward slope. The prices of petroleum products are indicators of larger issues on energy. The Philippine government is currently conducting consultation from the regions on its energy situation as part of the 20-year comprehensive plan being prepared by the Department of Energy and NEDA.


Last August 21, the consultation for Central Luzon was held at the Holiday Inn Clark inside the Clark Freeport Zone. At least 200 participants from various sectors all over the region joined the consultation process. The Advocacy for the Development of Central Luzon (ADCL) was invited being an active partner of NEDA Reg. 3 in several advocacies for economic and infrastructure development.

The demand on energy worldwide continuously grows while the resources are gradually depleting. This is the most problematic fact that is being addressed by several nations. Energy is required for economic growth. It is a very crucial instrument for poverty reduction, social equity and economic development.

As it stands today, Director Zenaida Y. Monsada of the Oil Industry Management Bureau said that oil pricing in the country is affected by the trends in supply and demand in the world market. Out of the total world oil demand of 86.8 million barrels per day, United States uses 20.43 million barrels while China requires 8 million barrels. Our country uses a measly .28 million barrels. The current available supply is pegged at 87.28 million barrels per day from OPEC and non-OPEC countries supplying oil.

The same as many countries dependent on imported crude and other oil products, the Philippines is at the mercy of the global trends. The higher the demand in the global market, the faster the prices increase because of limited supply.

The depleting oil reserves are an important factor for the limited supply. However, another factor that contributes to the limited supply of oil is the decreased capacity of some countries to produce oil products due to shut down of oil refineries. In the Philippines, the 50-year old Caltex oil refinery stopped operations in the 90s, thus affecting the prices of oil products in the country. Before, we have the capacity to refine our own but today we completely import petroleum products.

Oil refineries mostly shut down due to environmental policies like the Clean Air Act and others. Other factors include geopolitical tensions in oil producing countries like Iraq, Nigeria, Venezuela, Iran and others. There is also the issue of climate change and the weakening dollar vs. the Euro.
Given these reasons for the limited oil supply, the national government is now exploring alternative fuels like biodiesel and bioethanol. Since May 2007, all oil distributors were mandated to implement the 1 percent biodiesel blend under the Biofuels Act of 2006. By 2009, the same will be mandated to mix 5 percent ethanol.

The renewable energy resources are also being explored to address the growing demand on energy in the country. This includes hydropower, geothermal, wind, biomass, solar and ocean energy. Sen. Ed Angara is one of the staunch advocates of renewable energy. He is now bullish on the establishment of wind power mills in Aurora to take advantage of the province’s location at the foot of the Pacific Ocean.

Based on the study of DOE, our country has huge potentials in exploring the development of geothermal, gas and coal resources. There are 13 coal zones in the country and four of these are in Luzon. According to the DOE, our country’s potential coal reserve is pegged at 746 million metric tons.

Aside from the development of renewable energy resources and geothermal, gas and coal resources, the national government is also campaigning for the enhancement of energy efficiency and conservation to address the growing problem on energy.

Part of this campaign is the implementation of the National Efficiency and Conservation Program (NEECP), Palit-Ilaw program and the expansion of coverage of the energy labeling in the Philippines. The government is also pushing for the promulgation of the Minimum Energy Performance Standards to phase out the least efficient lamps in the market by 2009 and the Energy Conservation Bill.

There is also a move to look at Nuclear Power as a long-term energy option. But the DOE is preparing first to strengthen local expertise in nuclear energy before the Bataan power plant be even considered to operate.

And while several possible solutions are being explored to ensure stable and quality supply of energy in the country, the immediate concern that must be addressed by the Arroyo government is to make oil prices reasonable and affordable at the moment. Bureaucratic interventions and sound policies on oil pricing can be imposed if only to stop the oil cartel from dictating high prices. The Oil Deregulation Law must also be repealed and the government must revive its power to regulate oil prices. (30)

Federalism: Part II

There is no doubt that Central Luzon will give the Central Visayas and Northern Mindanao a strong competition should Sen. Aquilino Pimentel’s proposed resolution for a federal form of government be realized.

Central Luzon’s biggest advantage among all other proposed federal states is its strategic location and its potential to become a mega-logistics hub in Asia. For sometime now since former Clark Development Corp. (CDC) president Rufo Colayco started the concept of linking Subic and Clark and eventually Dingalan Seaport in Aurora, many private sector groups have supported the national government’s vision for Central Luzon.

Now with the idea of making this region a totally independent and autonomous state, many private sector leaders become more excited, even counting numerous possibilities for Central Luzon’s imminent transformation into an economic tiger in Southeast Asia. We could be the net Singapore is we play our cards right.

As soon as the Tarlac-La Union Expressway be constructed, the private sector groups are eying for the construction of the Tarlac-Nueva Ecija-Aurora Expressway. This expressway would link Dingalan, Casiguran and Baler seaport to Luista, Clark and Subic and the mega-logistics hub will be completed. Advocates for development like the Pampanga Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Metro Angeles Chamber of Commerce, Clark Investors and Locators Association and the Advocacy for the Development of Central Luzon (ADCL) believe that Central Luzon is more than ready to face the challenge of Pimentel.

Central Luzon will reap all the benefits if it will be declared as an autonomous state. ADCL chairman Rene Romero has long been saying that with the completion of the expressways linking Central Luzon’s east (Pacific via Aurora) and west (South China Sea via Subic and Masinloc) coasts, we would be able to compete with Hongkong and Singapore as the new mega logistics hub for industries moving cargo from US and Australia to Asia.

If run by an autonomous state, the two largest ecozones in Clark and Subic will also reap huge income and investments for Central Luzon. At present, both ecozones have the largest investors in the country including Texas Instrument, Fedex, AOL, Hanjin and others. On top of their production, we also have the Luisita Industrial Park, Hermosa Economic Zone, Masinloc Industrial Zone, Mabalacat Industrial Zone, all of these will contribute to the federal state economic performance.

Meanwhile, the state-of-the-art government center in Bulacan will soon be completed since it is listed in the priority projects of the Regional Development Council (RDC) for the years 2008-2010. Bulacan could be the seat of the Federal State of Central Luzon where the offices of the state administrative agencies would be located. Clark or Pampanga could be the financial center while Nueva Ecija could retain its role as the research, science and development seat of the federal state. We have existing facilities and institutions like the Central Luzon State University (CLSU) and the Science City of Munoz.

Central Luzon is also a host to the best minds, technocrats and tycoons in the country. We have the likes of Danding Cojuangco, Sen. Edgardo Angara, Jose “Ping” de Jesus, Josie Dela Cruz, Tong Payumo, Victor Jose “Chichos” Luciano, Presidential Assistant Rellie Fajardo, Mayor Oscar Rodriguez and more.

In the near future, Central Luzon would become a Center of Excellence for human resource development. Sen. Angara recently took the suggestion of ADCL to establish a 1,000 hectare center for academic institutions. The idea is to build a center that will house the best schools that would provide top courses for Central Luzon’s demand in various industries like aviation, information technology, engineering, arts, architecture, agriculture and others. We could invite the University of the Philippines, Ateneo, Philippine Aeronautical College, and other universities abroad to lease part of the 1,000-hectare center for the establishment of their own facilities. The region needs to develop more skilled and intellectual workers to sustain the demand of growing industries and investments in the area.

Central Luzon has also a huge potential in tourism. It has natural landscapes to offer in Aurora and Zambales. It also has the best urban havens in Olongapo, Angeles City and Subic. Tarlac, on the other hand, offers the religious pilgrimage sites while Bulacan and Bataan are famous for their historical landmarks.

And the most important advantage that Central Luzon has is its stability for food security. Being the rice granary of the country, Region 3 controls the volume of rice production and has enough lands for agriculture. Aurora, Nueva Ecija and Tarlac could maintain the balance to the growing industries in Pampanga, Zambales, Bataan and Bulacan. Our region has the potential to become an agri-product exporting federal state. We have agricultural geniuses in our midst. A company inside Clark is already exporting freezed mangoes to US and Europe while Rene Tayag of Angeles is already exporting Tilapia fillet abroad. Our best agricultural products including processed meats and marine products reach the four corners of the world.

So whose afraid of federalism? Definitely not us. Central Luzon is a region everyone around the country should carefully consider. If Pimeltel’s idea be realized, we would surely give others a tough competition. But more, our people will truly reap the fruits of our region’s blessings. It would mean more jobs, comfortable living and better future for our children. (30)