Pagtuki tackles Cebuano language

AS the country observes Buwan ng Wika in August, two Cebuano poets and singer shared their love for mother tongue.

“The use of Cebuano language pierces through our souls. It bridges the soul and the emotions of the writer,” Ernesto Lariosa, a Bathalad founding member and a Palanca awardee for poetry and short story, said during the August 11 episode of “Pagtuki,” the official radio program of Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI).

His statement was affirmed by young poet Cindy Velasquez from the Women in Literary Arts.

“Cebuano poems and stories knows no time,” Velasquez said.

Lariosa recalled that he started writing Cebuano poems and stories when he was 14 years old. At present, he has more than 200 Cebuano literary pieces.

He said the Cebuano language can be adopted as the national language of the country.

Based on the statistics, he said there are 24 million Cebuano native speakers in the country, while only 22 million are Tagalog speakers.

Lorenzo Niñal, vocalist and composer of the award-winning Bisdak band “Missing Filemon,” also shared the secret behind the band’s popularity, especially to teenagers.

“Our songs have a balance of conversational and deep Cebuano words. Our listeners can relate to our songs because it can easily be understood. Also, we use the language every day,” Niñal said.

He said their love for the language was tested when three big recording companies offered them a contract on condition that they translate their songs to Tagalog.

“We refused the offer even if it involved a great amount of money,” he said.

This year’s Buwan ng Wika also reminds the importance of regional languages in enriching the Filipino language.

“Pagtuki” is aired over dyLA every Saturday at 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. The program tackles relevant issues affecting the Cebuano community.

For more information about the radio program, contact Fatrick Tabada at 418-7234 local 542 or visit www.rafi.org.ph or www.facebook.com/rafi.org.ph.