There is no respect for others without humility in one's self.
— Swiss moral philosopher Henri-Frédéric Amiel

MAYPAJO, Caloocan City — I recently read a column that discussed Kapampangans as arrogant. I cannot disagree with this view because I believe this to be true.

In fact in the past and on several occasions, I have disowned being Kapampangan, or belonging to that ethnolinguistic group from Central Luzon, which I deem arrogant and overbearing—this despite the fact that my father, Renato Tongol, is pure Kapampangan while my mother is from Davao who professes to be a Muslim and a Tausug.

I know many of my Kapampangan kin would vehemently deny being arrogant and would hate me for declaring myself 'unKapampangan'. But that is how I look at it since I have strongly resisted the characteristic qualities of most Pampangueños.

My father's father, or granddad, Atty. Anastacio Tongol, was in the legal profession, having passed the Bar after I think four attempts, and he was a former chief appraiser of the Bureau of Customs (BoC) during the presidency of the father of our current President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr.

I am told that my grandfather was the one who started that policy of leaving his drawer open so clients could put inside their 'bribes'—something Apong Tacio did and perpetuated for several years until he was unceremoniously kicked out of the BoC for being 'notoriously undesirable' by President Ferdinand 'FM' Marcos Sr.

I remember my lolo, he was an astute man who loved Chinese food, often treating me and my mom, as well as my half-sibling, in his favorite Chinese restaurants in Binondo or at the then famous A&W fastfood chain outlet at Padre Faura in Ermita, Manila.

But what I distinctly recall is that he disowned me as his grandson, so I was legally adopted by my other grandfather, Cipriano Andaya Cabrera Sr., thus making me his son and a Cabrera instead of a Tongol.
Going back, though, to my exposition that I am not Kapampangan, let me explain why this unforgiving stand. I simply hate their attitude, especially when they brag about what they have or what they possess by intellect or career.

I've met most of my disowned tribe (even my relatives) and I cannot really appreciate them as they stand for what I abhore.

* * *

FOR your comments or suggestions, complaints or requests, just send a message through my email at cipcab2006@yahoo.com or text me at cellphone numbers 09171656792 or 09171592256 during office hours from Monday to Friday. Thank you and mabuhay!