PATRONIZING FILIPINO LANGUAGE TO PROMOTE PATRIOTISM
The Philippines has dedicated the month of August to celebrate our national language
which is Filipino, under Proclamation No. 1041 by former President Fidel V. Ramos in 1997.
The celebration aims to strengthen and spread awareness and importance of the
language. On the other hand, it was the former President Manuel L. Quezon, who
envisioned forming a national language that would foster a shared cultural identity,
sense of belongingness, and unity among the Filipinos. This kind of celebration is
integral for me, as many of us are seemingly forgetting and neglecting the use of our
national language and our love for it. How I wish there was a balance in using Filipino
and English languages because right now it saddens me that Filipino has evidently
become secondary.
Japan and Korea were among the countries that I know that primarily use and treat
their own script or writing system and language with high regard. Their language is their
identity, which separates them from the others.
As a result, Japanese and Koreans have a deep sense of patriotism, unlike us, Filipinos, who are undeniably carrying and experiencing colonial mentality. We love foreign products. We prefer foreign music.
And yes, we are gearing towards killing our national language by patronizing foreign
languages. Truth be told, the fast-paced technology where English is the primary
language, causing the children to learn it naturally and uncontrollably as they become
used to screen time. I cannot blame parents who speak to their children in English
because it will somehow help prepare them for the future. As someone who grew up in
a pure Filipino-speaking home and community, I admit that I have a hard time
expressing myself in English even to this date. I cannot tell that I am fluent and that my
grammar is perfect. It would be nice to learn it by heart during my foundational years
as it adds confidence and eloquence. It could be other reasons. Ironically, they are the
same children who will have a hard time learning Filipino in school when the time
comes. Parents, please do not let this be the case.
I support using English and other preferred languages for educational and professional
purposes and not as a primary language to be used in the country. I do not appreciate
and support politicians and Filipinos working in the media use English when they speak
and write formal documents. Taglish (Tagalog and English) is also unacceptable. We
are Filipino citizens, and using Filipino as our language is our identity just like my
example earlier — Japan and Korea.
Patronizing our national language encourages patriotism — a feeling of love, devotion,
and a sense of devotion to the Philippines, our country. It enriches our culture.
Patronizing the Filipino language will also help fill the gap between the literate and
illiterate, and even the poor and the rich.
As the economy progresses, may the celebration of our national language be sustained
and not stuck during August of every year only. We, Filipinos, should uphold our
national language consistently and consciously, and not let it die and further cause
division amongst our people. Patronizing our language will help us retain our identity,
culture, uniqueness, and respect for our country. Let using Filipino promotes patriotism
amongst us and our future generation. We are Filipinos; We are rich in culture and
heritage, and Filipino is our national language.