MANILA, Philippines — The Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) sees nothing wrong with today’s youth learning Korean and other foreign languages, but is urging young Filipinos to appreciate their own language.
KWF chairman and National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario said they cannot stop millennials from learning the Korean language because of the so-called K-pop, but he said they should also learn the distinctive beauty of Filipino culture.
“Siguro, higit lamang interes nila na mag-aral ng Korean dahil in-love sila do’n sa dinadalang kultura ng Korean. Ang mainam mangyari ay maipaalam din sa kanila na maganda ring pag-aralan ang kulturang Filipino,” Almario said during the “Pammadayaw 2019: Araw ng Gawad” at the CCP complex in Pasay City.
The awarding ceremony for outstanding Filipino scholars and students who have supported the campaign of the KWF and the Filipino language is part of the commission’s Buwan ng Wika celebration.
Almario said that the KWF was keen on strengthening its campaign to introduce their target subject of millennials on how beautiful and rich the Filipino language is, instead of stopping them from learning Korean language.
“Hindi ko sila mapipigil na umibig at magkaroon ng interes sa mga wikang banyaga, ngunit ang dapat nilang maiisip ay napakahalaga ng magkaroon tayo ng isang wikang pambansa na gagamitin ng lahat dahil yun ang isang malakas na tulay para matawid nating lahat ang isa’t-isa,” he added.
At the awarding rites, the KWF named John Joseph Pandong II its first ever “iKaw Ambassador ng Wikang Filipino” or the ambassador for Filipino language in the country.
Pandong won against two other contenders from Pampanga and Ilocos Norte. He received cash prize and a laurel wreath.
Pandong, 24, and a Filipino teacher in Bukidnon, said that he will use his influence to teach his students on how to love the Filipino language amid the emergence of the so-called “K-pop language.”
“Sa pagkakaroon ng tinatawag nating mga wika ng K-pop, nagiging dominante na yung Koreano (and) Ingles na pinaglalaban ng kabataan, pero nakakalimutan nila ang dahilan kung bakit natutunan nila ang wikang yan,” Pandong said.
Echoing Almario, he said millennials should also spend time exploring the Filipino language with the same efforts they exert in learning foreign languages including Korean. And that love for other languages stemmed from love of the native language.