By Frances Gutierrez, Dada Grifon and Chrixy Paguirigan
To usher in the start of the Buwan ng Wika celebration, the Faculty of Arts and Letters of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) held a forum in the auditorium of the Beato Angelico building yesterday.
The student-organized forum spearheaded by the AB Student Council with the assistance of AB History Society and support of Ms. Imelda de Castro highlighted the importance of the Filipino language through the discussion led by two well- known Filipino writers.
The student-organized forum spearheaded by the AB Student Council with the assistance of AB History Society and support of Ms. Imelda de Castro highlighted the importance of the Filipino language through the discussion led by two well- known Filipino writers.
Eros Atalia, a Don Carlos Palanca Memorial awardee for literature AND , emphasized the need to give signification to the Filipino language not only during the month of August, which is stated as the Buwan ng Wika.
“Nagiging ritwal ang wika dahil naniniwala tayo na ritwal ang wika, dahil naniniwala tayo na tuwing buwan lang ng Agosto dapat gamitin at pahalagahan ang wikang Filipino,” Atalia said.
The Ligo Na U, Lapit Na Me author added that “kung ang wika mo ay kasama mo matulog at magising, sa iyong mga pantasya at pangarap ibig sabihin hindi dapat kinakalendaryo ang wika, dahil hindi kinakalendaryo ang karanasan ng bansa.”
Atalia stressed that getting accustomed to the English language should not be regarded as a key to a country’s development.
“Nagiging ritwal ang wika dahil naniniwala tayo na ritwal ang wika, dahil naniniwala tayo na tuwing buwan lang ng Agosto dapat gamitin at pahalagahan ang wikang Filipino,” Atalia said.
The Ligo Na U, Lapit Na Me author added that “kung ang wika mo ay kasama mo matulog at magising, sa iyong mga pantasya at pangarap ibig sabihin hindi dapat kinakalendaryo ang wika, dahil hindi kinakalendaryo ang karanasan ng bansa.”
Atalia stressed that getting accustomed to the English language should not be regarded as a key to a country’s development.
Photo Courtesy of Dada Grifon Meanwhile, another multi-awarded Filipino author, Lourd de Veyra, expounded on the common errors regarding the usage of Filipino words in reporting.
He also gave the thought: “Galangin mo naman ang wikang bumubuhay saiyo”.
In his talk, De Veyra also discussed about the trends on Filipino language, stressing that nothing can dictate or predict its evolution.
De Veyra emphasized the importance of giving respect to the Filipino language as “kahit gaano ka kagaling mag Ingles, sa Filipino ka yayaman.”
He also gave the thought: “Galangin mo naman ang wikang bumubuhay saiyo”.
In his talk, De Veyra also discussed about the trends on Filipino language, stressing that nothing can dictate or predict its evolution.
De Veyra emphasized the importance of giving respect to the Filipino language as “kahit gaano ka kagaling mag Ingles, sa Filipino ka yayaman.”
Photo Courtesy of Dada Grifon The discussions were followed by an open forum where the students had the chance to ask the Filipino Authors anything about ‘Filipino’, they get answers like: “Words are neutral” and “Kung gusto ninyong maabot ang masa, hayaan ninyong maintindihan tayo ng tao at intindihin din natin sila”.
The program ran from 9:00am to 12nn and at the end of the event, people took pictures with the guest speakers and the honorary guest, Direk RA Rivera.
The theme for this year’s Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa is “Wika Natin ang Daang Matuwid.” The Buwan ng Wika is celebrated from August 1 to 31 in pursuant of Presidential Decree No. 1041.
The program ran from 9:00am to 12nn and at the end of the event, people took pictures with the guest speakers and the honorary guest, Direk RA Rivera.
The theme for this year’s Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa is “Wika Natin ang Daang Matuwid.” The Buwan ng Wika is celebrated from August 1 to 31 in pursuant of Presidential Decree No. 1041.
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