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Also, the matters contained in the following were written in accordance with the law, rules, and jurisprudence prevailing at the time of writing and posting, and do not include any future developments on the subject matter under discussion.
AT A GLANCE:
Do you know that the Philippines used to celebrate National Language Week or “Linggo ng Wika” every August 13-19 of every year? However, by virtue of Proclamation No. 1041 s. 1997, the week-long celebration was expanded to a month-long commemoration by turning it into a “Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa”.
The law says:
Amending Proclamation No. 12 dated March 26, 1954, by transferring the celebration of National Language Week from March 29-April 4 to August 13-19 of every year.
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Whereas, this period is outside of the school year, thereby precluding the participation of schools in its celebration.
(Proclamation No. 186, s. 1955)
The law says:
NAGPAPAHAYAG NG TAUNANG PAGDIRIWANG TUWING AGOSTO 1-31 BILANG BUWAN NG WIKANG PAMBANSA
SAPAGKAT, ang pagpapahalaga sa isang katutubong wikang pambansa ay pinatunayan ng pagkakaroon ng kaukulang probisyon sa Saligang Batas ng 1898, 1935, 1973, at 1987;
SAPAGKAT, ang isang katutubong wikang panlahat ay mahalagang kasangkapan sa komunikasyon, unawaan, kaisahan at kaunlaran ng bansa;
SAPAGKAT, ang katutubong wikang nagsisilbing batayan ng nililinang, pinauunlad at pinagyayaman pang wikang pambansang Filipino ayon sa itinatakda ng Saligang Batas ng 1987, ay gumanap ng mahalagang tungkulin sa Himagsikan ng 1896 tungo sa pagkakamit ng Kasarinlan na ang Ika-100 Taon ay kasalukuyang ipinagdiriwang at ginugunita ng sambayanang Pilipino;
(Proclamation No. 1041, s. 1997)
Do you still remember the old days when you used to wear your Filipiniana/ baro at saya and barong for a school performance? Wherein you participate in either Sabayang Pagbigkas, Pagkukwento, Isahang Pag-awit, Pagguhit ng Poster, or Pagtula? It was for sure a core memory for a lot because behind those barong and baro at saya is a symbol of our profound sense of commemorating our national language – the Filipino.
The Filipino language is the medium of official communication in the country that becomes an instrument for developing a strong society – it allows communication with various groups. It was in 1955 when the National Language Week or Linggo ng Wika was moved from March 29-April 4 to August 13-19. The change was made to consider the students’ participation in celebrating and promoting the use of not only the Filipino language but also the country’s native dialects – which is a good move. Activities that are conducted at school are very crucial in honing children’s patriotism by teaching them the importance and significance of Filipino as our national language. Most especially in this present day where children by means of technology are exposed to various foreign languages, it is indeed crucial that Linggo ng Wika is celebrated within the school year. As said by the country’s national hero Jose Rizal, the youth is the hope of the nation thus, making the Linggo ng Wika a platform for building a nation connected to its roots.
Further, to give the country a lengthier focus on appreciating its various groups and cultures, the national language week was then changed to national language month where the whole month of August is declared as Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa. This is by virtue of Proclamation No. 1041 signed on July 15, 1997, by former President Fidel V. Ramos. Since then, the country has celebrated national language month instead of national language week. What started as a week-long celebration was now a month-long commemoration of the country’s language and native dialects.
For this year’s Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa, the Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino released the 2023 theme “Filipino at Katutubong Wika: Wika ng Kapayapaan, Seguridad, at Inklusibong Pagpapatupad ng Katarungang Panlipunan”. Schools, private companies, and various government agencies are then encouraged to participate in programs appreciating the Filipino language and culture as a whole.
As the proverb goes, “Ang hindi magmahal sa sariling wika, ay mahigit pa sa hayop at malansang isda”. This is a reminder to each and every Filipino to give importance to our national language for without which, Filipinos will lose their own identity, worse than a brute or stinking fish.
Read also: Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan Day (Republic Act No. 7355 of 1992)
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