Stop, Go: Kapampangan Traffic Signs

“Báwal páparáda kéni” (no parking), “Báwal lúngub kéni” (do not enter), “Mamye dálan” (give way), “Báwal Íng búbusína” (no blowing of horn), “Báwal Íng lilípat kéni” (no crossing), and “Báwal sálingku king kailî” or (no left turn) are just some of the traffic signages that can be spotted along the three major roads in Angeles City. These were made possible by the city government’s initiative to bring the Amanung Sisuan back to life.

Are these terms good in the tongue when read and pleasing to the ears when heard? Now that traffic signs within Angeles City are written in Kapampangan, are motorists fascinated or infuriated?

Why install traffic signs in Kapampangan?

Pursuant to the city Ordinance No. 424 establishing “Kapampangan as an official language of Angeles City and institutionalizing its use in all sectors alongside existing national and official languages,” the local government has long planned before to put traffic signs along McArthur Highway, Filipino-American Friendship Circumferential Road, and Angeles City-Magalang Road.

Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr. claims that the signages are compliant with the traffic rules and regulations since the Land Transportation Office (LTO) did not question the translations.

This mandate was not only to “revitalize the dialect”, but would provide necessary precautions to maintain the safety of everyone passing through the highways.

Looks on the Faces of Passersby

The first-ever kind of action in the metro has brought a mixture of amazement and surprise to drivers. Angeles City Traffic Development Office Chief Francis Pangilinan shared that a random tricycle driver approached him and thanked the city government for their initiatives. A news article even stated that motorists were delighted to see these new signs, saying they look great.

Non-Kapampangans’ POV

The roads and highways within Angeles City are not only being passed by the Kapampangans, but also people who originated from neighboring provinces and even farther. Seeing the signs for the first time will surely surprise them, especially if not informed of the newly-built boards; add the fact that they do not simply understand the Kapampangan language. Be it as it may, all signages have their English translations written on them to mitigate miscommunication, or worse.

Reviving the Amanung Sisuan and at the same time giving direction and protection to motorists is hitting two birds with one stone—both having a different yet good purpose that proves this is a brilliant move. These would help even a non-Kapampangan speaker to learn new words daily as they pass by the signages.

Let this remind everyone that as long as Kapampangan natives exist, so does the language. Our generation now holds the torch to protect and preserve our cultural heritage. Mekeni, mag-kapampangan tamu!

LAYOUT BY: Cristine Joie Q. Bacud

PHOTO SOURCE(S): iStock, Canva