Marcos asks Pinoys to love national language

In celebration of National Language Month, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has asked the public to love the country’s national language.

“Ang okasyong ito ay nagsisilbing mahalagang paalala sa atin na mahalin ang wikang Filipino nang bukal sa ating puso at nanggagaling sa kamalayan na ang mga wikang minana ay nagtatanghal ng ating kahanga-hangang pagkakakilanlan bilang isang lipi,” President Marcos said in a statement released Thursday.

(This occasion serves as an important reminder to love the Filipino language with all our hearts and with consciousness that our language showcases our incredible identity as Filipinos.)

Marcos said the celebration also serves as a reminder to enrich our language, stressing that Filipino literature will help Filipinos develop love for the country and encourage the younger generation to love our own.

Marcos urged the public to take these literary pieces to heart.

Meanwhile, he said that Presidential Proclamation No. 1041 issued in 1997, is a cornerstone in the strengthening of our unity and sense of self and the reason why we celebrate these qualities.

The proclamation, signed by former President Fidel Ramos, made August “Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa,” or National Language Month.

“Ilan sa mga nabanggit ay ang pakinabang ng pagkakaroon ng wikang panlahat, ang malaking ambag nito sa pagkamit ng kasarinlan ng ating bansa, at ang kapangyarihan nito na buksan ang ating mga mata at isipan sa kahalagahan, karanasan, at kakayahan ng bawat isa,” he said.

(Some of the things mentioned are the benefits of having a national language, its huge contribution in achieving our freedom, and its power to open our eyes and minds about the value, experiences, and capabilities of everyone.)

— Joahna Lei Casilao/RSJ, GMA Integrated News