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Mekeni Abe, tara mangan! (Welcome Friend, let’s eat!): A Kapampangan Cultural Exegesis on Meal Fellowship and Hospitality

Submitted: October 29, 2025 | Published: June 30, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.63130/hijcre.v3i1.210

Authors

Keywords:

Accommodation, Fellowship, Friendship, Hospitality, Inclusivity

Abstract

This research examines meal fellowship as a gesture of inclusion, emphasizing its cultural expressions within Filipino society, particularly Kapampangan culture. It investigates the interrelationship between food culture, hospitality, and the values of inclusion and accommodation, highlighting how shared meals function as meaningful social and relational practices. Central to the study is the exploration of indigenous Kapampangan categories that embody these values, especially as manifested in Kapampangan gastronomy and the distinctive concept of abe, understood as a culturally grounded expression of welcoming and relational openness toward others.
Employing de Mesa’s cultural exegesis, the research analyzes the cultural and religious significance of food-sharing practices and their implications for understanding inclusion and accommodation from a Kapampangan perspective. This approach enables a critical reading of local cultural symbols and practices in dialogue with Judeo-Christian Tradition and current Church teachings. The analysis is anchored in Jesus’ practice of table fellowship, interpreted as an inclusive act that creates ‘space’ for befriending those considered “unwelcome” or “uninvited.” Through this lens, meal fellowship emerges as both a cultural and theological resource for fostering inclusive relationships and communities. 
Therefore, this study argues that the Kapampangan concept of abe, expressed through meal fellowship, constitutes an indigenous theology of inclusion that resonates deeply with Jesus’ table fellowship and Eucharistic living. Overall, the study contributes to theological, cultural, and educational discourse by highlighting the transformative potential of meal fellowship as a lived expression of inclusion rooted in Kapampangan culture.

About the Author/s

Dr. Bonnadelbert Antonio

Bonnadelbert A. Antonio is an Associate Professor of Theology at Holy Angel University in Angeles City, Philippines, where he has taught since 1997. He earned his undergraduate degree in Philosophy from St. Anthony Mary Claret College of Philosophy, a Master of Arts in Education from the University of Asia and the Pacific, and a doctoral degree in Education with a specialization in Religious Education and Values Education from De La Salle University in Manila. His scholarly work is featured in several peer-reviewed publications, including: Hitik: International Journal of Catechists and Religious Educators (REAP); The International Journal of Environmental Sustainability (Common Ground Research Networks); International Journal of Research Studies in Education (Consortia Academia); Intersections: Gender and Sexuality in Asia and the Pacific (Australian National University); and the Journal of Empirical Theology (Brill). His diverse research interests include Contextual Theology, Moral Theology, Feminist Theology, Biblical Studies and Hermeneutics, Axiology and Existential Phenomenology, as well as Environmental Studies.

Jocelyn Masbang

Jocelyn H. Masbang is an Associate Professor of Christian Living Education at Holy Angel University, Angeles City, Philippines, where she also serves as Chairperson of the Christian Education Department. She holds a doctorate in Educational Management (with Distinction) and a master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling. Her research interests include Catholic education, marriage and family life, Filipino values, and youth formation. She has published in international refereed journals, including The International Journal of Interdisciplinary Cultural Studies. She is a licensed professional teacher and an active member of the Religious Educators’ Association of the Philippines.

Rowena Sibal

Rowena B. Sibal is an Assistant Professor of Theology at Holy Angel University, where she also serves as the Head of the Identity and Character Formation Office and Campus Ministry. In this role, she leads initiatives centered on Christian education, character formation, and ministry programs that support both the university community and its broader religious mission. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Holy Angel University and completed the academic requirements for a Master of Arts in Values Education at the Philippine Normal University. She also holds a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from the University of the Assumption and has completed 36 units toward a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Management.

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Published

06/30/2026

How to Cite

Antonio, B., Masbang, J., & Sibal, R. (2026). Mekeni Abe, tara mangan! (Welcome Friend, let’s eat!): A Kapampangan Cultural Exegesis on Meal Fellowship and Hospitality. Hitik: International Journal of Catechists and Religious Educators, 3(1), 1-26. https://doi.org/10.63130/hijcre.v3i1.210

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