National Language Month (a.k.a. Buwan ng Wika) is one of the much-awaited events especially in schools that implement the English Only Policy. Ironically, it's one of the rare opportunities we speak our own national language, Filipino, more often, and celebrate other Philippine languages, such as Ilocano, Bikol, and Kapampangan.
This year, we're not only enriching and promoting the language of our land but also advocating the use of Filipino at all times. The theme "Filipino: Wika Ng Karunungan" is also a response to the perception that English is the sole language that reflects high intellect and attainment of education.
Here are Buwan ng Wika events that support this advocacy. Best thing about these? They're mostly free!
Tula Sa Ating Wika
Poets of Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika, at Anyo, an organization of poets writing in Filipino and founded by National Artist for Literature Virgilio S. Almario (a.k.a. Rio Alma), will have a series of poetry readings in public spaces around Metro Manila every Saturday night for the whole month of August. This is part of the organization's efforts to introduce Filipino poems to more people. Venues include Eastwood City Walk (August 20), and Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila (August 27).
For more information, visit Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika, at Anyo (LIRA) on Facebook.
LIRAhan: Atin ang Buwan
LIRA also invites everyone to LIRAhan: Atin ang Buwan, a night of poetry and music, on August 16, 8 p.m. at Conspiracy Bar and Garden Cafe. Featured performers are LIRA members, writing fellows of this year's LIRA Poetry Clinic, and other artists.
Entrance fee of P100 comes with one drink. Conspiracy Bar and Garden Cafe is at 59 Visayas Avenue, Quezon City. For more information, visit LIRAhan: Atin ang Buwan on Facebook.
Lines of Flight: The Practice and Limits of Realism in Philippine Fiction
Filipino fiction writers Charlson Ong, Jaime An Lim, Dean Alfar, Luna Sicat Cleto, Gabriela Lee, and Eliza Victoria are in the spotlight at this year's Readers & Writers Festival by National Book Store. The Lines of Flight: The Practice and Limits of Realism in Philippine Fiction, a project of the University of the Philippines Press, is on August 26, 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Namayan Room, Raffles Makati.
Admission is free. Register through the Philippine Readers and Writers Festival 2016 website. The Philippine Readers and Writers Festival is from August 26 to 28 at Raffles Makati, 1 Raffles Drive, Makati Avenue, Makati City.
Hakbang Kamalayan
Sentro ng Wikang Filipino, the Filipino language institution of the University of the Philippines-Diliman, holds a tarpaulin festival from August 16 to 31. Hakbang Kamalayan showcases posters and tarpaulins along the University of the Philippines Academic Oval that show important statements written in Filipino about various issues related to sexual orientation, expression, gender, and identity. The event is done in partnership with the Diliman Gender Office.
For more information, visit Sentro ng Wikang Filipino (SWF) on Facebook.
Serye ng Talasalitaan
Another project of SWF, Serye ng Talasalitaan features forums and discussions on various topics related to the Filipino language from August 30 to September 31 at the UP Balay Kalinaw. Ang Filipino bilang Lunsaran sa Pagbuo ng mga Bagong Kaalaman sa Sining, Siyensiya, at Teknolohiya on August 30, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. presents Dr. Jose Maria Balmaceda, Dr. Grace Aguiling-Dalisay, and Dr. Ramon Guillermo as speakers. Mga Susing Salita: Pagbuo ng Diskurso sa Konseptong Filipino on August 31, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. has Dr. Melba Maggay, Dr. Neil Santillan, and Dr. Leocito S. Gabo as panelists and Dr. Glecy Atienza as facilitator. Pagmulat ang Pagsulat: Ang Makabayang Panitikan sa Panahon ng Facebook, Twitter, at Instagram on September 1, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. will be presented by speakers Prof. Ferdinand Jarin, Ms. Kerima Tariman, and Prof. Joselito Delos Reyes and reactor Dr. Reuel Molina-Aguila.
Admission is free. Walk-in registration is on a first come, first serve basis. UP Balay Kalinaw is at Guerrero corner Dagohoy Streets, University of the Philippines-Diliman, Quezon City.
Bahaginan ng Kaalaman
Volunteer to distribute free books to selected public schools in Quezon City as SWF runs Bahaginan ng Kaalaman. Assembly is at Balay Kalinaw on September 1, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Aklat ng Bayan Open House
Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino, the government agency mandated to enrich, promote, and preserve the Filipino language, is giving 25% discount on all Aklat ng Bayan publications. The book sale is on August 23, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) Office in the Malacanang Complex. Most of their books, especially the translated editions of well-loved classics, are only for P100 so imagine the great deal you'll get!
KWF Office is at 2/F Watson Building, J.P. Laurel Street, Malacanang Complex, San Miguel, Manila.
Talakayan: Pagsasalin ng Karunungan
Learn a thing or two from language and translation experts Nicolas Pichay, a Palanca Hall of Famer; Ferdinand P. Jarin and Allan Derain, winners of the National Book Award in 2014; Michael Jude Tumamac, winner of Talaang Ginto: Makata ng Taon in 2015; and Ergoe Tinio, Palanca Awardee for children's story. Pagsasalin ng Karunungan is on August 23, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the KWF Office.
To register, e-mail dendenqnipes@gmail.com.
Pambansang Reoryentasyon sa Panitikan
Teachers interested in stepping up their game are invited to a free seminar on how to teach Filipino literature on September 7 to 9, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Benitez Theater in UP-Diliman. Pambansang Reoryentasyon sa Panitikan features forums and discussions on the importance of literature in education, current status of regional literature, and methodologies on teaching. Also scheduled are demonstrations on teaching epics, folk narratives, and Philippine literature in the regions.
Only 40 slots are open for the free seminar. To register, e-mail reacult@gmail.com. Benitez Theater is at the College of Education, University of the Philippines-Diliman, Quezon City.
#BuwanNgMgaAkdangPinoy Online Contest
To support Filipino-made literary pieces, award-winning fictionist and poet Edgar Calabia Samar came up with a campaign called #BuwanNgMgaAkdangPinoy. It is open to the public and all you need is a photo, a tweet, or even a video that talks about your favorite book written by a Filipino author.
#BuwanNgMgaAkdangPinoy Online Contest runs until August 31. For more information, follow Edgar Calabia Samar on Facebook.
This story originally appeared on Spot.ph.
* Minor edits have been made by the Smartparenting.com.ph editors.
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