CLARK FREEPORT – A hectic schedule in the film and television industry did not stop the mind of this writer-director in dabbling into a newly-discovered smart phone application that has since become viral in the internet.
Jason Paul Laxamana, multi-awarded writer and director and a Most Outstanding Kapampangan Awardee, is again the talk of the town with his portrayal of the Kapampangan mother, “Pacing Cunanan,” phenomena.
“Two months ago, I could not sleep. I have insomnia and I discovered this app in my smart phone and I started uploading the videos,” he said. “It was very spontaneous.”
“I never expected it to become viral. Now I’m a social media influencer,” he said.
Indeed, Laxamana, through characters Imang Pacing, her children Robert and Gigi, her housemaid Milet and her boyfriend Eman, and her Kumareng Weng has awaken Kapampangans from hibernation.
Kapampangans from all over the world are virtually laughing out loud (LOL) with Imang Pacing’s antics on “Snap Chat” an application which has augmented reality and uses different filters.
Imang Pacing and her gang’s short videos, usually not more than a minute long due to the app limitation, have stirred Kapampangans worldwide as they remember their Kapampangan roots while mired in laughter.
Social apps like Facebook, Tweeter, Instagram and the like are replete with Imang Pacing and her gang as Kapampangans share the videos with each other especially with their relatives wherever they are.
Laxamana said he averages 50 messages daily asking about Imang Pacing and her gang with some coming from New Zealand and Australia.
Aside from writing scripts and developing a comic book series, Laxamana is also busy directing films.
“I have an ambition to become another Mars Ravelo,” he said referring to the comic writer who popularized Darna and Captain Barbel.
He said he will soon come out with “Anitu” based on Kapampangan folklore with a mix of Tagalog and Spanish.
Laxamana graced the weekly Balitaan media forum organized by the Capampangan in Media, Inc. (CAMI) in cooperation with the Clark Development Corp. (CDC) at the Bale Balita here last Friday.
On August 30, he said, Imang Pacing and her gang will be presented in a live “Meet and Greet” activity at the holy Angel University in Angeles City by the university’s Center for Kapampangan Studies to culminate the Cultural Month of August.
