THE month of August marks the celebration of National Language Month (Buwan ng Wika) with the theme “Ang Filipino ay wikang panlahat, ilaw at lakas sa tuwid na landas.”
The celebration is spearheaded by the Department of the Education (DedEd) to enhance the use of the Filipino language.
Schools are expected to come up with activities that will make the students understand why the Filipino language is the light and strength of the nation.
These activities include games like bato-lata and patintero, search for lakan at mutya and sabayang pagbigkas (verse choir).
“Buwan ng Wika is the time we remind the public of the importance of Filipino language. Although English is used in school, I think the Filipino language is one of the things that could identify a person. Buwan ng Wika boosts our national pride,” said Maritsu Cuevas, a second year high school student of the Trade Tech International Science Institute.
As national hero Dr. Jose Rizal once emphasized the importance of national language, “Ang hindi magmahal sa sariling wika ay higit sa hayop at malansang isda; kaya ating pagyamaning kusa, gaya ng inang sa atin ay nagpala.”
The month-long celebration is in five parts.
From Aug. 1 to 7, the focus is by taking to heart the lyrics of the national anthem.
From Aug. 8 to 14, the highlight is on the importance of the national language in enforcing discipline that will lead to national development.
On Aug. 15 to 21, the theme is the use of language as an instrument to achieve freedom and justice.
For the week of Aug. 22 to 28, the theme is “Wikang Filipino: Tugon sa malinaw na programa sa tuwid na landas.”
The remaining days of August will be anchored on the celebration of the Filipino language as the voice of teachers, students and the language of heroism. /UP Masscom student Keiko Abe