Wednesday, July 02, 2008 Media urged to promote Kapampangan dialect
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Television shows, radio programs and newspaper columns in the Kapampangan dialect will soon invade the local media.
This, after the Provincial Board (PB) approved Resolution 1264 requesting all radio and television stations in the province to allot a weekly one-hour airtime using Kapampangan as the medium.
The resolution also encourages Pampanga-based newspapers to publish at least one column in the mother tongue once a week.
According to Board Member Catalina Bagasina, the Kapampangan dialect is fast deteriorating as a result of assimilation and of people speaking different languages.
"This is a boost for the Kapampangan dialect, especially in a time of rapid urbanization," said Bagasina, the sponsor of the resolution.
She added that newspapers, radio and television are effective vehicles in promoting Kapampangan culture by using the native language as medium of expression.
Recently, the PB passed Resolution 1193 that seeks to establish the last Friday of August as "Aldo Ning Amanung Sisuan" (Day of the Mother Tongue).
The resolution focuses attention on how to promote and save the Kapampangan dialect.
This also mandated the establishment of a Provincial Language Council, which shall be responsible for the formulation of regulations, policies and rules relative to the celebration of the "Aldo Ning Amanung Sisuan."
One of the highlights of the said resolution is institutionalizing the practice of selecting a Poeta Laureado (Poet Laureate) every year.
The PB said this is a great encouragement to struggling and would-be poets of the province. Likewise, Resolution 1264 gives more ground to the Kapampangan dialect in the local media.
Bagasina said copies of the resolution will be sent to newspaper offices and radio and television stations.
"We hope this would be received favorably by our friends in the media so they could help us rekindle the interest in Kapampangan dialect," she said. (IOF)
