Pampanga literature flourished early on, introduced through Spanish and native Filipino friars. Oral traditions like riddles, sayings, folksongs and folktales reflected the local culture and geography. Notable Kapampangan authors included President Diosdado Macapagal, playwright Jose M. Gallardo, poet Aurelio Tolentino, and journalist Juan Crisostomo Soto, considered the father of Pampanga literature. Riddles and sayings were especially popular forms of entertainment at social events in both rural and urban areas.

1. PAMPANGO LITERATURE

2. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
 The name was derived from the native Kapampangan words
"pangpang ilog" meaning "riverside" where the early Malayan
settlements were concentrated along the Rio Grande de la
Pampanga
 Pampanga is well-known for its rich delicacies and cuisines
 literature flourished during the early years of Pampanga:
• Literature introduced through the Spanish-speaking elites and
the native-speaking friars
• Oral lore which continued to serve the needs of the working
class in the still predominantly agricultural province

3.  Riddles, sayings, folksongs,
children’s rhymes, legends
and folktales reflected the
flora, fauna and the
geographic features of the
province

4. Riddles ( Bugtong )
 The Kapampangans love
exchanging bugtung or
riddles at social events,
funeral wakes and weddings.
 favorite past time during the
war, playing ‘bugtungan’ was
widely practiced in rural
areas to while away time
during long walks home

5. Kasebian ( Sayings)
1. Matas at mataluctuc masaldac ya pangabaldug.
(The higher the climb, the harder the fall.)
2. Ing paro macabaluctut dalan ne ning masalusung agus.
(A bent shrimp allows the current to pass through.)
3. Ing asung macabaluctut butul man e macapulut.
(A lazy dog will not find even a bone.)
4. E ca lalapit qng api nung e ca bisang mapali.
(Don’t come near a fire if you don’t want to risk being burned.)
5. E mangaplas ing alang sugat.
(If there’s pain there must be a wound.)

6. Diosdado Macapagal
 the ninth President of the
Philippines
 native of Lubao, Pampanga
• His works include Gripu
(Artesian Well)

7. Jose M. Gallardo
 wrote over 200 poems,26 plays
and zarzuelas, six novels and
dozens of short stories,
 best known work is Crucifijo
Ng Pilak which was staged
more than 100 times
between1956 and 1972

8. Aurelio Tolentino
 Filipino playwright, poet and
journalist
 He was arrested twice, first
by the Spaniards and later by
American forces.
 He wrote and directed the
anti-imperialist play
Kahapon, Ngayon at Bukas
(Yesterday, Today and
Tomorrow) which led to his
arrest in 1903

9. Juan Crisostomo Soto
 Journalist, poet, playwright
 Father of Pampanga
Literature
 Santa Ines, Bacolor,
Pampanga.