Launching of Kapampangan TV Drama
A highlight of Aldo Ning Amanung Sisuan
By Jason Paul Laxamana
Urban Kamaru
Central Luzon Daily
Last 27th of August, the public—including the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Sangguniang Panlungsod of the City of San Fernando and Angeles City, Pampanga Mayors and Vice Mayors, the media, and civil society and business groups—became witness to the Grand Premiere of 'Kalam,' the first ever Kapampanganovela in the history of Philippine broadcasting. It was held at the Event Centre of SM City Pampanga.
The event, however, is more than a presentation of the pilot episode. Rather, it is Kalalangan Kamaru's and Infomax 8's way of celebrating the recently-appointed Aldo Ning Amanung Sisuan (Mother Language Day), the two entities being aggressive advocates in the promotion and development of the Kapampangan language through media arts.
The event begins with the University of the Assumption President's Choir singing the Lawiwing Pambansa (National Anthem) in the Kapampangan language, followed by our very own Imnu Ning Kapampangan and then Fr. Ronnie Cao's invocation. The kabalen energy begins when the performers from the Angeles University Foundation danced to well-known Kapampangan folk songs, then segueing to an enchanting trilingual (Tagalog, English, Kapampangan) choral version of the popular O Jo, Kaluguran Da Ka.
In between guest speeches, Kapampangan musical numbers of diverse genres were presented. The list includes the boy group K4ad (read 'Kapatad'), Tarlac-City based Kapampangan band Mernuts, ArtiSta. Rita, and the Kapampangan novelty sensation Ara Muna.
A surprise announcement, which garnered a loud, long applause from the audience, was made by hosts Rey Yumang and Mau Aquino of the Kapampangan talk show 'Personalan'—that 'Kalam' will also be aired through G-SAT in 40 Asian and Middle Eastern countries, including Malaysia, Taiwan, Japan, Indonesia, Viet Nam, Korea, and Hong-Kong.
After the projector screening of the first episode of 'Kalam' titled Panyatang King Salapungan (Arriving at the Fork Road), the following people had these to say (interviews care of Jenna Lumbang of 'I-Max News'):
“Masanting ya talaga. In fact, me-inspire kung gamitan ya ing Amanung Sisuan tamu. But really, to me, it's really perfect. From the script to the camera shots, angles, values na pinalalabas niya at ini-impart niya. Napakagaling. Saludo ako. It's really something both the young and old should watch.” -Dalsa Montalban Hizon, TV personality / ArtiSta. Rita Foundation, Inc.
“Congratulations! This is a first for the Kapampangans. Ing 'Kalam' pu, atneng kasanting. Agkatan ko ring kayabe tamung Kapampangan, sana pu tangkilikan ye pu. The best ya pu.” -Chris Navarro, President, Pampanga Press Club
“Beyond expectation ya ing ikit kung primerung telenobelang Kapampangan. Ding eganaganang linage magaling la. Deng king behind-the-camera magaling la. Sana dakal la pang mag-sponsor bang kanita sumulung ya aliwa mu ing telenobela nune pati ing kulturang Kapampangan. Pagmaragul kung Kapampangan ku.” -Engr. Rosve Henson, Kambilan
“First ya pa mu ini at very interesting neng tambing.” -Oca Rodriguez, Mayor, City of San Fernando
“Masanting ya pu! Sabi ku pin, ati yu itang suporta tamu para karing kayanakan ampo para king kultura. Asahan yu pung ing PML sumuporta ya king 'Kalam'.” -Mayor Dennis Pineda, President, Pampanga Mayors' League
“Metung yang masanting a proyektu. Mai-inculcate ya ing kulturang Kapampangan, oneng ing metung pang achievement keni, ing identity ning Kapampangan siguradung lunto ya.” -Eduardo Guerrero, Mayor, Municipality of Floridablanca
“Aku, mesorpresa ku. E ku isipang makanyan ya kasanting. Mániwala kung maging yang launching pad ding future Kapampangan stars ing 'Kalam' uling papakit na ing gelingan ding Kapampangan. Atna kanyaman daramdaman ing sarili mung lengguayi king metung a telenobela. Sana lalu yang mamayagpag ing 'Kalam' at makapamiye yang oportunidad karing Kapampangan bang sumikat la king field ning arts.” -Alex Patio, Councilor, City of San Fernando
“Masaya ku bilang Kapampangan uling atin kalupa na nini. Atin tamu talagang talentu. Parati tamung mág-excel. Dian teng masanting a bukas ing Kapampangan at dian ulaga ing kekatamung Amanung Sisuan.” -Reden Halili, Councilor, City of San Fernando
“Dios ko, kasanting na! Sana aldo-aldo ne kanyan. Ngeni, once a week bang pantunan de pa mu ring tau. Pero king tutuki, dapat aldo-aldo ne. Masaya ku na meging kamin dálan bang mag-materialize ya ini anya suportan mi ya ini. Ipagmaragul ta ya pu.” -Catalina Bagasina, Board Member
“Pupugayan ku la kening proyektung ini. Sana dakal pa ing anti kanini bang milimbag ya ing kekatamung kaugalian at mapreserba in kekatamung pibatan.” -Atty. Zenaida Ducut, Chairwoman, Energy Regulatory Commission
“Very historical. Dapat iikot sa buong Pilipinas itong nagawa dito sa Pampanga to inspire other language communities to do the same. I've been talking to the director, willing kami na i-assist sila. Iikot natin ang experience na ito.” -Ricardo Nolasco, PhD, Head, Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino
Also present were the main cast of the TV drama, namely Edith Chu, Raco Del Rosario, Jayvie Dizon, Nicolette Henson, Aries Yap, Reachel Mucho, Alex Tiotuico, and Peter Danganan; Kalalangan Kamaru members Diego Marx Dobles (Asst. Director) and yours truly (Writer-Director); the whole team of Infomax 8, including Joven Mallari as the director of the Grand Premiere; Andy Alviz of ArtiSta. Rita; Roland Quiambao, Ben and Deng Escasa, and Peter De Vera of ASLAG Kapampangan; Vice Mayor of Masantol Bajun Lacap; Vice Mayor of Angeles City Vicky Vega; Bicong Del Rosario of the Academy of Performing Arts (APA) and family; and Abong Tayag, President of the Advocacy for the Development of Central Luzon (ADCL), and some members.
'Kalam,' a Kapampangan word which means gift or blessing, is a co-production between Kalalangan Kamaru and Infomax 8. It bases its story from Kapampangan folklore, but situates folk elements in an urban setting. Consisting of 13 episodes (one season), it will air very soon. Keep visiting http://kalamtv.blogspot.com and reading this newspaper for updates.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Photos: Primerung Pasinag ning 'Kalam'
News about the Grand Premiere soon. For the mean time, check out some photos from the event.
Infomax. 8 team 
Dr. Ricardo Nolasco, Head of the Komisyon Sa Wikang Filipino (KWF)
Asst. Dir. Diego Dobles, Jayvie Dizon (Kenneth), Reachel Mucho (Dette), Nicolette Henson (Albina), Alex Tiotuico (Kool), Peter Danganan (Joy)
The main cast minus Alex Tiotuico. L-R: Jayvie, Reachel, Nicolette, Peter, Aries Yap (Yubs), Raco Del Rosario (Rhodskie), Edith Chu (Puring)
Marketing Director Jomel Cruz and wife, Nicolette, Reachel, Executive Producer Mau Aquino, and co-host Rey Yumang
Monday, August 25, 2008
Having a Kapampangan TV drama and what it implies
URBAN KAMARU
Jason Paul Laxamana
Central Luzon Daily
This Wednesday, Infomax-8, a Kapampangan cable channel based in the City of San Fernando, and Kalalangan Kamaru, a creative team of multidisciplinary Kapampangan youth, will be presenting to the public the latest offering of Kapampangans to the rest of the world—Kalam, the first ever Kapampanganovela (Kapampangan television drama) in the history of Philippine broadcasting. It will take place at the Event Center of SM City Pampanga, 5 PM, and is bound to be a grand Kapampangan event as it will feature not only various Kapampangan performances, but also the public screening of the pilot episode.
Making the Kapampangan youth as its target audience, Kalam tackles the life and adventures of a new generation of witches and healers (gifted people, or in Kapampangan, ding ating kalam) born in urban Pampanga and how they struggle to fit in a skeptical, discriminating, and fearful society. It will be an exciting mix of urban fantasy, action, romantic comedy, drama, and social relevance, while using Kapampangan culture—both past and present, folk and modern, rural and urban—as canvass.
A clear history of the development of Kapampangan mass media is not yet available, albeit, inspired by the so-called Kapampangan cultural renaissance happening in the province, several mass communication students in and out of the province are beginning to take interest in outlining our media history as their thesis. Nevertheless, the production of Kalam is certainly a milestone.
Just what does having a Kapampangan TV drama imply?
Panyulung Pangkultura (Cultural Development)
First of all, we see a huge leap in what we call cultural development, as having a Kapampanganovela means that Kapampangans now officially know how to make a TV series, the process of which requires diverse skills from a well-coordinated team of people.
These skills include: research, story conceptualization, scriptwriting, directing, camera operation, cinematography, acting, talent management, production design, makeup and costume design, audio editing, and video editing. But television is more than a creative effort. Production management, location management, marketing, programming, publicity (which involves graphic design and large-scale printing, coordination with the press, and public relations), sales, advertising, financial management, budgeting, broadcasting, to name some more, are also involved, and Kalam boasts of an all-Kapampangan staff, cast, and crew. This means that all the skills I've mentioned and have failed to mention are now part of the growing Kapampangan culture.
Whether Kapampangans are bound to excel in the field of TV drama production and cause a “Kapampangan wave” (synonymous to the recent “Korean wave” phenomenon) is something to look forward to. Looking at our past achievements, however, we can conclude—not necessarily meaning we can be complacent—we can excel. Look at our lanterns compared to the rest of the Filipinos'.
Sagisag Kapampangan (Kapampangan Symbol)
Second implication is the growing awareness of Kapampangans that they, indeed, are a people who have their own identity apart from their Filipino and Asian brothers, and this road to cultural self-determination has extended to the field of TV drama production.
Kapampangans used to and still rely on the Tagalogs, the Koreans, the Taiwanese, the Mexicans, the Japanese, and the Americans when it comes to satisfying their television entertainment needs. If a Kapampangan wants to watch a TV drama, he tunes in to ABS-CBN, GMA-7, TV-5 or other channels. Or perhaps, he would run to the nearest bangketa to find the vast array of pirated DVDs of Korean, Japanese, and Chinese TV series. But what do we see in these foreign productions but foreign culture where Kapampangan is nowhere to be found, except probably in lousy cases like the Kapampangans in ABS-CBN's Kokey (where Kapampangans are exaggeratedly portrayed as letter H-deficient people) and the divine character Sinukuan in Dyosa (where Sinukuan is an Arabian-looking princess).
Such lack of Kapampangan symbols cause the alienation—inferiority complex, even—of the Kapampangans, particularly the youth who are heavy media consumers, to their own culture, including language, and identity. Now that we have a TV drama of our own, expect familiarity, as various symbols are bound to make Kapampangans see themselves more in the boob tube—not as “colored people,” but as diverse people who think, feel, face problems, come up with solutions, excel, fail, cook, eat, photograph, love, hate, philosophize, obey the law, break it, dream big, dream small, etc.
It's time to determine who we really are using television instead of relying on others to portray us, for if we remained in the level of dependence on Manila media, we will forever be H-deficient, gegege people who excel only in domestic work and pamagmais. We will never be portrayed as lawyers, philosophers, scientists, matinee idols, modern activists, political leaders, doctors, etc.
The presence of Kalam, however, is a symbol itself. It is an addition to the symbols that unify us as a separate ethnolinguistic community, which include the Kapampangan language, Kapampangan cuisine, Kapampangan literature, Kapampangan heroes, Kapampangan history, Kapampangan landmarks, Kapampangan icons, and Kapampangan songs and hymns.
I wonder when the time will come when Kapampangans cease importing entertainment from outsiders (including territories outside the Kapampangan region) and start making their own media products for export in other parts of the world.
Primerung Pasinag (Grand Premiere)
Given these two big implications, we hope you would support Kalam, as its success will be the success of Kapampangans. It's also a nice way to celebrate the Bulan Na Ning Amanung Sisuan (Language Month). Please review the first paragraph for the event details. Visit http://kalamtv.blogspot.com for more information about the series.
Jason Paul Laxamana
Central Luzon Daily
This Wednesday, Infomax-8, a Kapampangan cable channel based in the City of San Fernando, and Kalalangan Kamaru, a creative team of multidisciplinary Kapampangan youth, will be presenting to the public the latest offering of Kapampangans to the rest of the world—Kalam, the first ever Kapampanganovela (Kapampangan television drama) in the history of Philippine broadcasting. It will take place at the Event Center of SM City Pampanga, 5 PM, and is bound to be a grand Kapampangan event as it will feature not only various Kapampangan performances, but also the public screening of the pilot episode.
Making the Kapampangan youth as its target audience, Kalam tackles the life and adventures of a new generation of witches and healers (gifted people, or in Kapampangan, ding ating kalam) born in urban Pampanga and how they struggle to fit in a skeptical, discriminating, and fearful society. It will be an exciting mix of urban fantasy, action, romantic comedy, drama, and social relevance, while using Kapampangan culture—both past and present, folk and modern, rural and urban—as canvass.
A clear history of the development of Kapampangan mass media is not yet available, albeit, inspired by the so-called Kapampangan cultural renaissance happening in the province, several mass communication students in and out of the province are beginning to take interest in outlining our media history as their thesis. Nevertheless, the production of Kalam is certainly a milestone.
Just what does having a Kapampangan TV drama imply?
Panyulung Pangkultura (Cultural Development)
First of all, we see a huge leap in what we call cultural development, as having a Kapampanganovela means that Kapampangans now officially know how to make a TV series, the process of which requires diverse skills from a well-coordinated team of people.
These skills include: research, story conceptualization, scriptwriting, directing, camera operation, cinematography, acting, talent management, production design, makeup and costume design, audio editing, and video editing. But television is more than a creative effort. Production management, location management, marketing, programming, publicity (which involves graphic design and large-scale printing, coordination with the press, and public relations), sales, advertising, financial management, budgeting, broadcasting, to name some more, are also involved, and Kalam boasts of an all-Kapampangan staff, cast, and crew. This means that all the skills I've mentioned and have failed to mention are now part of the growing Kapampangan culture.
Whether Kapampangans are bound to excel in the field of TV drama production and cause a “Kapampangan wave” (synonymous to the recent “Korean wave” phenomenon) is something to look forward to. Looking at our past achievements, however, we can conclude—not necessarily meaning we can be complacent—we can excel. Look at our lanterns compared to the rest of the Filipinos'.
Sagisag Kapampangan (Kapampangan Symbol)
Second implication is the growing awareness of Kapampangans that they, indeed, are a people who have their own identity apart from their Filipino and Asian brothers, and this road to cultural self-determination has extended to the field of TV drama production.
Kapampangans used to and still rely on the Tagalogs, the Koreans, the Taiwanese, the Mexicans, the Japanese, and the Americans when it comes to satisfying their television entertainment needs. If a Kapampangan wants to watch a TV drama, he tunes in to ABS-CBN, GMA-7, TV-5 or other channels. Or perhaps, he would run to the nearest bangketa to find the vast array of pirated DVDs of Korean, Japanese, and Chinese TV series. But what do we see in these foreign productions but foreign culture where Kapampangan is nowhere to be found, except probably in lousy cases like the Kapampangans in ABS-CBN's Kokey (where Kapampangans are exaggeratedly portrayed as letter H-deficient people) and the divine character Sinukuan in Dyosa (where Sinukuan is an Arabian-looking princess).
Such lack of Kapampangan symbols cause the alienation—inferiority complex, even—of the Kapampangans, particularly the youth who are heavy media consumers, to their own culture, including language, and identity. Now that we have a TV drama of our own, expect familiarity, as various symbols are bound to make Kapampangans see themselves more in the boob tube—not as “colored people,” but as diverse people who think, feel, face problems, come up with solutions, excel, fail, cook, eat, photograph, love, hate, philosophize, obey the law, break it, dream big, dream small, etc.
It's time to determine who we really are using television instead of relying on others to portray us, for if we remained in the level of dependence on Manila media, we will forever be H-deficient, gegege people who excel only in domestic work and pamagmais. We will never be portrayed as lawyers, philosophers, scientists, matinee idols, modern activists, political leaders, doctors, etc.
The presence of Kalam, however, is a symbol itself. It is an addition to the symbols that unify us as a separate ethnolinguistic community, which include the Kapampangan language, Kapampangan cuisine, Kapampangan literature, Kapampangan heroes, Kapampangan history, Kapampangan landmarks, Kapampangan icons, and Kapampangan songs and hymns.
I wonder when the time will come when Kapampangans cease importing entertainment from outsiders (including territories outside the Kapampangan region) and start making their own media products for export in other parts of the world.
Primerung Pasinag (Grand Premiere)
Given these two big implications, we hope you would support Kalam, as its success will be the success of Kapampangans. It's also a nice way to celebrate the Bulan Na Ning Amanung Sisuan (Language Month). Please review the first paragraph for the event details. Visit http://kalamtv.blogspot.com for more information about the series.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
'Kalam' on KWF website
The Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (Commission on the Filipino Language) or KWF acknowledges Kalam and its national significance. Taken from their official website:
Inaasahang dadagsain ng mga Kapampangan ang naka-iskedyul na Engrandeng Pagbubukas ng Kalam, ang kauna-unahang Kapampanganobela na gaganapin sa SM City, Lungsod ng San Fernando, Pampanga sa darating na Agosto 27, 2008.
Binigyang-diin ng mga producer ng Kalam na ito’y higit pa sa isang palabas pantelebisyon lamang. Ito anila ay isang advocacy project na naghahangad na itaguyod ang kultura at wikang Kapampangan sa ibang panig ng mundo, habang ipinamamalas at pinagbubuti ang kaugnay na mga kasanayang pang-media ng mga Kapampangan. Pinapangarap nila ang araw na ang iba-ibang mga grupong etnolingguwistiko ay magsimulang magpalitan ng mga teleserye sa isa’t isa sa halip na umangkat pa ng mga palabas sa ibayong dagat. Ang gayong palitang kultural sa pamamagitan ng broadcast media ay mag-aambag sa malaon nang pagkaantala sa pagsasakatuparan ng pambansang pagkakaisa para sa mga Pilipino.
Ang lahat, mula sa mga artista hanggang sa mga producer, mula sa mga camera man hanggang sa mga production designer, mula sa mga production assistant hanggang sa mga technical director – na sangkot sa produksyon ng telenobelang Kalam ay pawang Kapampangan lahat mula sa pinakamataas hanggang sa pinakamababa. Ang Kalam ay isasahimpapawid gabi-gabi maliban sa araw ng linggo sa Infomax-8, isang cable channel sa Pampanga bagamat wala pang eksaktong araw at oras kung kailan ito isasahimpapawid.
Inaasahang dadagsain ng mga Kapampangan ang naka-iskedyul na Engrandeng Pagbubukas ng Kalam, ang kauna-unahang Kapampanganobela na gaganapin sa SM City, Lungsod ng San Fernando, Pampanga sa darating na Agosto 27, 2008.
Binigyang-diin ng mga producer ng Kalam na ito’y higit pa sa isang palabas pantelebisyon lamang. Ito anila ay isang advocacy project na naghahangad na itaguyod ang kultura at wikang Kapampangan sa ibang panig ng mundo, habang ipinamamalas at pinagbubuti ang kaugnay na mga kasanayang pang-media ng mga Kapampangan. Pinapangarap nila ang araw na ang iba-ibang mga grupong etnolingguwistiko ay magsimulang magpalitan ng mga teleserye sa isa’t isa sa halip na umangkat pa ng mga palabas sa ibayong dagat. Ang gayong palitang kultural sa pamamagitan ng broadcast media ay mag-aambag sa malaon nang pagkaantala sa pagsasakatuparan ng pambansang pagkakaisa para sa mga Pilipino.
Ang lahat, mula sa mga artista hanggang sa mga producer, mula sa mga camera man hanggang sa mga production designer, mula sa mga production assistant hanggang sa mga technical director – na sangkot sa produksyon ng telenobelang Kalam ay pawang Kapampangan lahat mula sa pinakamataas hanggang sa pinakamababa. Ang Kalam ay isasahimpapawid gabi-gabi maliban sa araw ng linggo sa Infomax-8, isang cable channel sa Pampanga bagamat wala pang eksaktong araw at oras kung kailan ito isasahimpapawid.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
'Kalam' visits UP Diliman, wows audience
Last Thursday, Kalalangan Kamaru, a creative group of Kapampangan youth behind productions such as the RocKapampangan album and GVFM's weekly youth-oriented Kapampangan show Frequency K; and Infomax 8, the sole Kapampangan cable channel existing in the province, visited the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman to deliver a lecture, in line with the school's occasional Alternative Classroom Learning Experience or ACLE, where regular classes are suspended in order to give way to various workshops and symposia.
The issue of language preservation and development versus nationalism through the Filipino language—which Laxamana, using the test of Linguistics, called just a mere dialect of Tagalog—was raised and the issue, as usual, was left unresolved.
As Aquino and Laxamana kept stressing, people should learn as much languages as they can. Kapampangans and non-Tagalogs alike are not asked to un-learn Tagalog (after all, trilingualism is their advantage over Tagalogs who are mostly only bilingual); they are asked to master their native languages—to love them with pride—and not feel inferior upon using it. What should be battled is the phenomenon of language shift, when people abandon their native languages in favor of the national language or the English language.
In spite of the heat of the argument, after the English-subtitled screening of the first episode of Kalam, which prides itself for being culturally rooted and for being in the Kapampangan language, not one person was left dissatisfied, to the point of some even claiming they prefer to patronize it over the mainstream Pinoy TV dramas.
Kalam tackles the life and adventures of a new generation of witches and healers (gifted people, or in Kapampangan, ding ating kalam) born in urban Pampanga and how they struggle to fit in a skeptical, discriminating, and fearful society. It will be an exciting mix of urban fantasy, action, romantic comedy, drama, and social relevance, while using Kapampangan culture—both past and present, folk and modern, rural and urban—as canvass.
UP Aguman, an organization of Kapampangans in UP, decided to invite the people behind Kalam, the first Kapampanganovela (Kapampangan telenovela), to discuss about the emergence and challenges of regional broadcast media, particularly those of Kapampangan.
Jason Paul Laxamana of Kalalangan Kamaru, writer and director of Kalam, spoke about the ideology of uniting the Philippines through respect for its cultural diversity (not uniting the country by imposing one culture or language over another), while Mau Aquino, General Manager of Infomax 8, together with Marketing Director Jomel Cruz, told the story of how and why their station decided to package themselves as a Kapampangan channel employing the use of the Kapampangan language.
Present also were Diego Marx Dobles, Asst. Director of Kalam; Nhoel Austria, Set Designer; Aries Yap, Reachel Mucho, and Peter Danganan, main actors; and the technical team of Infomax, who covered the lecture for its daily news program, I-Max News. Approximately 60 people, Kapampangans and non-Kapampangans, attended the lecture, including fellow Kapampangan Prof. Nilo Ocampo, a Filipino teacher in UP Diliman.
Members of UP Aguman with Kalam's Dette (Reachel Mucho)
Members of UP Aguman with Kalam's hero Yubs (Aries Yap)
The issue of language preservation and development versus nationalism through the Filipino language—which Laxamana, using the test of Linguistics, called just a mere dialect of Tagalog—was raised and the issue, as usual, was left unresolved.
As Aquino and Laxamana kept stressing, people should learn as much languages as they can. Kapampangans and non-Tagalogs alike are not asked to un-learn Tagalog (after all, trilingualism is their advantage over Tagalogs who are mostly only bilingual); they are asked to master their native languages—to love them with pride—and not feel inferior upon using it. What should be battled is the phenomenon of language shift, when people abandon their native languages in favor of the national language or the English language.
In spite of the heat of the argument, after the English-subtitled screening of the first episode of Kalam, which prides itself for being culturally rooted and for being in the Kapampangan language, not one person was left dissatisfied, to the point of some even claiming they prefer to patronize it over the mainstream Pinoy TV dramas.
Kalam tackles the life and adventures of a new generation of witches and healers (gifted people, or in Kapampangan, ding ating kalam) born in urban Pampanga and how they struggle to fit in a skeptical, discriminating, and fearful society. It will be an exciting mix of urban fantasy, action, romantic comedy, drama, and social relevance, while using Kapampangan culture—both past and present, folk and modern, rural and urban—as canvass.
Catch the Primerung Pasinag (Grand Premiere) of Kalam in Pampanga. It will take place on the 27th of August, 5 PM, SM Pampanga Entertainment Plaza. Aside from the screening of the first episode, various Kapampangan groups will also be performing.
UP Aguman members, Nhoel Austria, and three of the main actors
Friday, August 15, 2008
Kapampangan Theme Songs for a Kapampangan TV Series
Another press release.
Infomax.8, a Kapampangan cable channel based in the City of San Fernando, and Kalalangan Kamaru, a group of multidisciplinary Kapampangan youth cultural workers, are seeking to revolutionize Kapampangan mass media by crafting the first ever Kapampanganovela (Kapampangan telenovela) in the history of Philippine broadcasting.
"Kalam" tackles the life and adventures of a new generation of witches and healers (gifted people, or in Kapampangan, ding ating kalam) born in urban Pampanga and how they struggle to fit in a skeptical, discriminating, and fearful society. It will be an exciting mix of urban fantasy, action, romantic comedy, drama, and social relevance, while using Kapampangan culture—both past and present, folk and modern, rural and urban—as canvass.
The dialogues in "Kalam" are in the Kapampangan language, except in special cases where English and Tagalog are realistically the fitting languages. With that mentioned, it will be a sin to not get Kapampangan songs to serve as as the opening and closing theme songs of "Kalam," which were recorded at Kid's Place Recording Studio in Salapungan, Angeles City.
Pamuklat a Dalit (Opening Song)
Ing likuan mu kanaku
E ne agyu ning nanu mang panulu
Four members of 2007 Angeles City San Miguel Beer Battle of the Bands champion 5 Against The Wall (Jon Tanganco, bass; Jaynard Bengo, drums; Nhoel Austria, guitar; Arnold Espino, vocals), the vocalist of Guagua-based Red Horse Muziklaban finalist rock band Nora Aunor Fans' Club (Ramcos Nulud), and a Mabalacat-residing teenage violinist John Canlas collaborate to create the opening theme song of "Kalam." 5 Against The Wall and Nora Aunor Fans' Club were both participating bands in Kalalangan Kamaru's and Holy Angel University Center for Kapampangan Studies' RocKapampangan project, with the former doing a reggae version of 'Sibul Na Ning Arayat' and the latter composing a blues version of a hilarious Kapampangan children's song they titled 'Kaplas.'
The lyrics written by "Kalam" writer and director Jason Paul Laxamana, the title of the song is Alang Anggang Sugat (Eternal Wound) and it talks about the dark betrayal of a person whom one used to trust deeply. Such betrayal causes one a traumatic and deep wound bound to last for eternity. To give the song a spin, the genre of the song is metal—in spite of 5 Against The Wall known locally for its reggae sound—fused with a bit of classical, thanks to the violin of Canlas, who is a college senior from the Holy Angel University and a member of its Theater Guild.
To honor two of the great Kapampangan poets, the song used excerpts of poems by Jose Gallardo (one of his Malikwatas or 'Magic Poems' and 'Ing Biye Alang Bakas') and Mariano Sigua ('Aduang Curan') in its rap parts.
Panyarang Dalit (Closing Song)
Mibalik na ka kaku / uling e ku agyu
Ibalik ta ing oras / na ning pamiyabe tamu
Tarlac City-based Kapampangan band Mernuts—popular through YouTube for rendering Kapampangan translations of songs such as Rihanna's 'Umbrella' and Beyonce's 'Irreplaceable'—made their original composition 'Oras' to serve as the closing song of "Kalam."
The song, penned by vocalist Jhaye Arzaga, is their second original Kapampangan composition after 'Aliwa Kang Talaga,' their contribution in the RocKapampangan album released last February. 'Oras' is a love song of longing, inviting a loved one after a serious fight to turn back time, when love was still pure.
Music Videos: Fusion of pop and local culture
The Kapampangan youth, who have been part of the so-called MTV generation, will not be disappointed when they see the music videos created for the theme songs, which are regularly aired on the Infomax channel. They may also be viewed by checking out the YouTube account of 'sisigman.'
In spite of the pop culture theme of the music videos, Kapampangan culture enthusiasts will not be disappointed as well, as the creative team made it a point to fuse pop culture and local culture.
Shot in the City of San Fernando, the music video of 'Oras' features not only a number of the main cast of "Kalam," but also Roland Quiambao, Pampanga's giant lantern master, and some of his beautiful works.
Infomax.8, a Kapampangan cable channel based in the City of San Fernando, and Kalalangan Kamaru, a group of multidisciplinary Kapampangan youth cultural workers, are seeking to revolutionize Kapampangan mass media by crafting the first ever Kapampanganovela (Kapampangan telenovela) in the history of Philippine broadcasting.
"Kalam" tackles the life and adventures of a new generation of witches and healers (gifted people, or in Kapampangan, ding ating kalam) born in urban Pampanga and how they struggle to fit in a skeptical, discriminating, and fearful society. It will be an exciting mix of urban fantasy, action, romantic comedy, drama, and social relevance, while using Kapampangan culture—both past and present, folk and modern, rural and urban—as canvass.
The dialogues in "Kalam" are in the Kapampangan language, except in special cases where English and Tagalog are realistically the fitting languages. With that mentioned, it will be a sin to not get Kapampangan songs to serve as as the opening and closing theme songs of "Kalam," which were recorded at Kid's Place Recording Studio in Salapungan, Angeles City.
Pamuklat a Dalit (Opening Song)
Ing likuan mu kanaku
E ne agyu ning nanu mang panulu
Four members of 2007 Angeles City San Miguel Beer Battle of the Bands champion 5 Against The Wall (Jon Tanganco, bass; Jaynard Bengo, drums; Nhoel Austria, guitar; Arnold Espino, vocals), the vocalist of Guagua-based Red Horse Muziklaban finalist rock band Nora Aunor Fans' Club (Ramcos Nulud), and a Mabalacat-residing teenage violinist John Canlas collaborate to create the opening theme song of "Kalam." 5 Against The Wall and Nora Aunor Fans' Club were both participating bands in Kalalangan Kamaru's and Holy Angel University Center for Kapampangan Studies' RocKapampangan project, with the former doing a reggae version of 'Sibul Na Ning Arayat' and the latter composing a blues version of a hilarious Kapampangan children's song they titled 'Kaplas.'
The lyrics written by "Kalam" writer and director Jason Paul Laxamana, the title of the song is Alang Anggang Sugat (Eternal Wound) and it talks about the dark betrayal of a person whom one used to trust deeply. Such betrayal causes one a traumatic and deep wound bound to last for eternity. To give the song a spin, the genre of the song is metal—in spite of 5 Against The Wall known locally for its reggae sound—fused with a bit of classical, thanks to the violin of Canlas, who is a college senior from the Holy Angel University and a member of its Theater Guild.
To honor two of the great Kapampangan poets, the song used excerpts of poems by Jose Gallardo (one of his Malikwatas or 'Magic Poems' and 'Ing Biye Alang Bakas') and Mariano Sigua ('Aduang Curan') in its rap parts.
Panyarang Dalit (Closing Song)
Mibalik na ka kaku / uling e ku agyu
Ibalik ta ing oras / na ning pamiyabe tamu
Tarlac City-based Kapampangan band Mernuts—popular through YouTube for rendering Kapampangan translations of songs such as Rihanna's 'Umbrella' and Beyonce's 'Irreplaceable'—made their original composition 'Oras' to serve as the closing song of "Kalam."
The song, penned by vocalist Jhaye Arzaga, is their second original Kapampangan composition after 'Aliwa Kang Talaga,' their contribution in the RocKapampangan album released last February. 'Oras' is a love song of longing, inviting a loved one after a serious fight to turn back time, when love was still pure.
Music Videos: Fusion of pop and local culture
The Kapampangan youth, who have been part of the so-called MTV generation, will not be disappointed when they see the music videos created for the theme songs, which are regularly aired on the Infomax channel. They may also be viewed by checking out the YouTube account of 'sisigman.'
In spite of the pop culture theme of the music videos, Kapampangan culture enthusiasts will not be disappointed as well, as the creative team made it a point to fuse pop culture and local culture.
Shot in the City of San Fernando, the music video of 'Oras' features not only a number of the main cast of "Kalam," but also Roland Quiambao, Pampanga's giant lantern master, and some of his beautiful works.
Shot in the Henson-Hizon heritage mansion care of Corito Panlilio-Lim, the music video of 'Alang Anggang Sugat' could serve as an independent short film, as it boldly shows the experience of a girl raped by her trusted male friends and how the loss of her virginity caused social stigma, until she decided to end her torment by committing suicide. The non-conservative treatment of the video has caused some to brand it "too dark and gory," while some reacted in awe and called it a "piece of art" and "at par with international music videos." Maleldo (Holy Week) icons were used as well to poetically show emotions of regret and suffering.
Yubs, the lead character in "Kalam" played by Aries Yap, and his Kularyut sidekick, Kool, albeit played by a different person, are also in the video.
Both videos were directed by Laxamana, with the aid of Kalalangan Kamaru members Diego Marx Dobles (Asst. Director), Jon Tanganco and Nhoel Austria (Set Designers), and the technical team of Infomax. 8 including Joven Mallari (Technical Director), Ashly Nunag (Camera Man), Martin Reyes (Asst. Camera Man), and Teri Dela Pena (Production Assistant). Editors: Laxamana and Dobles.
Catch the bands behind the theme songs, together with the public screening of their music videos, on the 27th of August at the Entertainment Plaza of SM City Pampanga. It will be the Primerung Pasinag or Grand Premiere of "Kalam," where the first full episode of "Kalam" will be screened in advance. Visit http://kalamtv.blogspot.com/ for more info and text 09186992459 for inquiries.
Both videos were directed by Laxamana, with the aid of Kalalangan Kamaru members Diego Marx Dobles (Asst. Director), Jon Tanganco and Nhoel Austria (Set Designers), and the technical team of Infomax. 8 including Joven Mallari (Technical Director), Ashly Nunag (Camera Man), Martin Reyes (Asst. Camera Man), and Teri Dela Pena (Production Assistant). Editors: Laxamana and Dobles.
Catch the bands behind the theme songs, together with the public screening of their music videos, on the 27th of August at the Entertainment Plaza of SM City Pampanga. It will be the Primerung Pasinag or Grand Premiere of "Kalam," where the first full episode of "Kalam" will be screened in advance. Visit http://kalamtv.blogspot.com/ for more info and text 09186992459 for inquiries.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Episode 1 Preview
Watch this mini trailer of the first episode of "Kalam."
Don't you wish to be there on the 27th of August at the SM Pampanga Entertainment Plaza to watch the first episode? :)
Don't you wish to be there on the 27th of August at the SM Pampanga Entertainment Plaza to watch the first episode? :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
