01 September 2016— The Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi, in cooperation with the Philippine Ladies Circle – Abu Dhabi, held a forum in celebration of Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa with the theme “Filipino: Wika ng Karunungan” on August 27 at the Embassy function hall.
Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Constancio R. Vingno, Jr. welcomed participants to the forum. Speaking in Filipino, he said, “Nararapat nating bigyan ng halaga ang ating Pambansang Wika. Gaya ng sinabi ni Dr. Jose Rizal, ang hindi marunong magmahal sa sariling wika ay higit pa ang amoy sa malansang isda.”
Ms. Janice Moreno, Filipino Coordinator at The Philippine Global School, delivered a presentation entitled “Kahulugan ng Wika, Kahalagahan ng Wika, Ang Pagkakaroon ng Wikang Pambansa at Kaugnayan ng Wika sa Karunungan.” She highlighted the significance of the national language and shared a poem that she wrote in Tagalog. “Ito ang panahon ng pagbubunyi. Wika na pagkakalinlan ng ating lahi. Wika ng ating lahing kayumanggi. Wikang Filipino; sa buong mundo ating ipagmalaki,” she wrote.
Ms. Lalaine Dela Cruz, Senior High School Department Coordinator at the Philippine Emirates Private School, talked on “Pagpapahalaga ng Wikang Pambansa sa bansang UAE ng mga mamamayang Pilipino.” She outlined ways on how Filipinos can give importance to the Filipino language, urged parents to teach their children living abroad to speak Filipino, and challenged everyone to speak and write Filipino wherever they go. “Taas noo nating ipagmalaki na ang dugong nananalaytay sa atin ay dugong Pilipino,” she concluded.
The Buwan ng Wika celebration is pursuant to Proclamation No. 1041, signed by former President Fidel V. Ramos, which declares the national celebration of the National Language Month every August. END
