Abucay preserves ‘Kapampangan’ heritage

The Municipal Government of Abucay is going to preserve what it calls the “intangible” cultural heritage which is the Mabatang Kapampangan.

The move was started off by the Sangguniang Bayan which passed Municipal Ordinance No. 505 which mandates the preservation and promotion of the town’s cultural heritage.

Said Ordinance centers on the research work, documentation, and cultural mapping more particularly on Mabatang Kapampangan, so called because majority of residents of that village use Kapampangan dialect in their daily interaction with fellow residents.

Mabatang, with a population of roughly 11,000 made a name a decade ago for being the so-called Christmas capital of Bataan for having the most ‘amazing’ Christmas lights lined up on its streets. The decors attracted local tourists then.

Local residents are grateful to Mayor Erik Martel, Vice Mayor Roberto Pabustan, the Sangguniang Bayan members and Maribeth S. Martel, chairperson of Abucay Tourism Council, for her advocacy and initiatives to preserve cultural treasures.