Apung Iru ning Apalit Photo courtesy of Flickr |
In
the search for the real identity of Apung Iru, I came across in the article
from Wikipedia. Kapampangans has interchangeably used Apung Iru to the name San
Pedru (Saint Peter). Most of the Kapampangans today will recall the name San
Pedru when they hear the lagiu (name)
Apung Iru. Most, if not all, of the barangays which have the name San Pedro in their
barangay name use Apung Iru for San Pedro. (Blogger’s barangay is San Pedru
from the town of San Simun. People of this baryu will call San Pedru as Apung
Iru.)
If
one will dig deeper, the word Apung Iru has already been Christianized. Long
before the Spaniards came our nunu (ancestors)
have already known Apung Iru. They have already celebrated the Libad Ilug in
honor of Apung Iru. If Apung Iru is not San Pedru who is he? Or who is she?
Tradisyunal a Basaan Piestang San Juan |
***
Kanitang
anak ku pa kaibat kung sinimba ning alas-otsung misa keng Baryu San Pedru
kukutang ku palagi kang ima ku itang makasulat ketang dalig gulut bisitas.
Ngana nitang makasulat “Viva Apung Iru!” ketang lalam atyu ya ing banwa. Nung
1999 kanita 1999 ya. Keng tutuking banwa palitan da neman. Angga ngeni maakit
ya pa itang dalig a ita. E pyesta nung e me akit ita.
***
Pre-hispanic Kapampangans worshipped many deities/gods
like Apung Suku, Apung Malyari, etc. One of the deities known to them is Apung
Iru. Yes, Apung Iru is a pre-hispanic deity of Indung Kapampangan. Apung Iru is
‘often visualized as gigantic crocodile that support the earth on its back.’
Apung Iru (which is a dapu (crocodile)) is situated under the great World
River. Apung Iru is a great cosmic crocodile. The word ‘Iru’ is mostly likely
came from the word ‘Ilug’ which means river. (The blogger is not a linguist and
has no formal background on the contraction of words. The reference for this
contraction is “Quests of the Dragon and Bird Clan by Paul Kekai Manansala p245
– 246). Thus the word Apung Iru when translated is “Lord River or Lord of the
River” (The word Apu; Apung has a lot of meaning in the Kapampangan language).
Dapu (Crocodile) |
***
Kanita na aganaka
Ning babai sinabi na
Itang limusan ming matua
Apung Iru ing lagyu na
Gozu
ng San Pedru (XV)
***
Libad Ilug Photos courtesy of Apo Iru |
During
the resurrection of Apung Ilug/Munag Sumala (after the arrival of Lakandanum),
Kapampangans will celebrate. This celebration of the Kapampangan is the Libad
Ilug. In addition, during the Bayung Danum, Kapampangans will throw food onto
the river. The practice of throwing foods onto the river is a sign of offering
to Indung Tibuan (Mother Earth) so that it wont look for food and earthquakes
wont happen.
Pamandilu balang Libad Ilug |
***
Apung
Iru talus mi ngan
Sigasig
mu ing kaligtasan
Tune
lugud milalablab
King balayan mung kaluguran
Himno San Pedru
***
Scene when Apung Iru is being taken to Lantsa (Apalit) Photo courtesy of Apo Iru |
There
are some practices that the blogger has observed during the Libad Ilug (San
Pedru, San Simun) and Apalit, Pampanga. In San Pedru, San Simun, after the
kuraldal and Apung Iru has been put into the barge (lantsa) people will take
water from the river and take it home. Then they will sprinkle it to their body
and sometimes use the water when they take a bath. They believe that the water
was blessed by Apung Iru (San Pedru in this case). Meanwhile in Apalit,
Pampanga, when Apung Iru’s image is being taken to the lantsa people are waving
branch of leaves example guava leaves. They believe that these leaves when
boiled can cure illnesses.
Kuraldal Keibat Libad (SP, San Simon) Photo by Lhian Rogodon |
Before
the libad ilug of Apung Iru (San Simun) will start, there is always kuraldal and
the people are shouting Viva Apung Iru. The same will also be practiced when
the libad is ended and the image of Apung Iru is being return to the chapel.
It
can be stated that the Kapampangans did not let their pre-hispanic practices
die. They could have incorporated their practices to the Catholic Religion in
order to preserve them or vice versa. As kapampangans, we should preserve and continue to practice these traditions. These traditions had defined us and they will define us.
Viva Apung Iru
Apung Iru o i San Pedro?
____________________
References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apalit,_Pampanga
http://sambali.blogspot.sg/2004/12/apung-iru.html
http://hau.edu.ph/kapampangan_center/events/index.php
Apung Iru San Pedro San Simon Facebook Page
Apo Iru Facebook Page
Gozu ng San Pedru (translated from Kulitan Script of J. Aboyme) taken from Kulitan Facebook Group
http://hau.edu.ph/kapampangan_center/events/index.php
Apung Iru San Pedro San Simon Facebook Page
Apo Iru Facebook Page
Gozu ng San Pedru (translated from Kulitan Script of J. Aboyme) taken from Kulitan Facebook Group
Quests of the Dragon and Bird Clan by Paul Kekai Manansala p245 – 246
Dalit ng Sinukuan by Michael Raymon Pangilinan
Kuraldal Atlung Ari & Libad Bangka nang Apung Iru: Beyond the Revelry
Kuraldal Atlung Ari & Libad Bangka nang Apung Iru: Beyond the Revelry
Pineda, L. & Aboyme, J. Personal Communication. April 05 2014
Pineda, L & SPYM. Personal Communication. April 29 2014
Pineda, L & SPYM. Personal Communication. April 29 2014
Pineda, L. & Pangilinan M. Personal Communication. April 30 2014
For corrections and additional information please leave a comment below.