Hidalgo: Celebrating Linggo ng Wika

TAGALOG is officially accepted as a national language in the Philippines. But how many Filipinos can really speak Tagalog? It is the "Wikang Pambansa."

The national anthem is in Tagalog and must be sung with respect. I was so surprised with this news that 34 individuals were caught when they refused to stand up for the national anthem prior to the showing of a movie. Whenever the national anthem is being sang at the schools or plazas, all persons and vehicles should stop and give respect and attention to the flag and national anthem.

Filipino is a required subject in the high school and college. Students must learn Tagalog and pass the subject.

"Ang Hindi mag mahal sa kanyang sariling wika ay tulad ng hayop na malansang isda," Jose Rizal once said.

He wanted to emphasize the importance of our national language. I remember when I lived in Pasig in the 1960s, I was always invited to recite the Huling Paalam of Dr. Jose Rizal or the Last Farewell at the town plaza filled with spectators on Rizal Day, December 30.

A national language is the pride of every country in the world. I will cite some examples of this.

My late husband, who was a professor in the Department of European Languages at UP Diliman, was given a three-year scholarship to Germany to master the German language and culture. One German said my husband spoke perfect German better than them. He also learned Latin in a short stay in the seminary. My other brother-in-law studied the Spanish in Spain.

To celebrate the Lingo ng Wika, school children are requested to wear the "baro't saya" for the girls and "barong Tagalog" for the boys during their culmination. They present plays, dances, and music in Filipino for Linggo ng Wika.