Buwan ng Wika Celebration

Buwan ng Wika Celebration

“WIKANG KATUTUBO TUNGON SA ISANG BANSANG PILIPINO”

We celebrate Buwan ng Wika every August because it reminds us that even though English is the International Language and is commonly used by most Filipinos, we must not forget that we also have our own dialect which is tagalog. Then the language was known as “Pilipino” in an effort to dissociate it from the Tagalog ethnic group.

The celebration of Buwan ng Wika is not just a part of our history, it is also what keeps us united as a nation. A country’s language shows how rich and unique its culture and heritage is. More than being a means for communication, language bridges different communities and strengthens it. Using the national language is one the simplest way we can show patriotism. Filipino is what makes us Filipinos a true Pinoy.

With the advent of technology and rapid ‘globalization,’ our national language has seen a number of changes. While it’s true that change is inevitable, it isn’t always a good sign. Our national language is slowly losing its power and we should start doing something about it.

In 1997, President Fidel Ramos declared the Month of August as the national language month and listed it as one of the country’s cultural events.  Along with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the Department of Education also ensures that the younger generation understands the cultural importance of this event.  Schools often have various events such as essay writing, poster and slogan making, debates, and poetry writing in the national language.