“Ang wika ay susi ng puso at diwa, tuluyan ng tao’t ugnayan ng bansa.”
– Marisol Mapula
“Upang mahinuha ang tadhana ng isang nasyon, nararapat na buklatin ang aklat na naglalahad ng kanyang kasaysayan”
– From Dentro de Cien Años of Jose Rizal
We, Filipinos celebrate the month of August as the national language month or Buwan ng Wika as mandated by the Proclamation No. 1041 of January 15, 1997, signed by President Fidel V. Ramos. And in 2012, Proclamation No. 339 signed by President Benigno Aquino III declared that the month of August of every year as history month or Buwan ng Kasaysayan. Because of these, in collaboration with the Department of Education, National Commission of Culture and Arts, Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino, and National Historical Commission of the Philippines, many activities, events and programs have been done to ensure the youth to participates in promoting our nation’s culture and history. But not like the previous celebrations, as the world is facing a pandemic or the COVID19, resulting in community lockdowns as to prevent further infections, most of the activities are to be held online. Despite this current situation, the Philippine Institute of Quezon City celebrated Buwan ng Kasaysayan at Wika with the themes: “Pagkakaisaysayan sa Paglaban at Pagbangon” and “Wika ng Kasaysayan, Kasaysayan ng Wika: Ang mga Katutubong Wika sa Maka-Filipinong Bayanihan Kontra Pandemya” last August 24-28, 2020. These annual events were spearheaded by the Araling Panlipunan and Filipino Department through the leadership of Bb. Zeide Joy Montoya and G. Mark Allen Genegani as the chairpersons, together with the help of the PIQC Student Council, Ang Kabataang Pag-asa ng Bayan KPB-PIQC Club, and Ugnayang Filipino Club.
Every day during the week of the celebration, the PIQC Student Council would post a poster with the hashtag #Wikasaysayan. Each poster shows a Filipino word or idiom that talks about its definition, origin, and interpretations. The students were given activities in their online classes of Araling Panlipunan and Filipino subjects.
For Araling Panlipunan subject;
- making a digital slogan for Grades 1-3;
- writing a poem for Grades 4-6;
- making a vlog for Grades 7 and 8;
- writing a web blog for Grades 9 and 10; and
- making an advocacy video for Grades 11 and 12
For Filipino subject;
- online storytelling of Lola Basyang for Grades 1 and 2;
- reciting a poem for Grades 3 and 4;
- making an infographic pamphlet with the theme “Sugpuin ang Covid” for Grades 5 and 6;
- writing an essay that has a story for Grades 7 and 8;
- making a “PostLogan” for Grades 9 and 10; and
- making an advocacy video for grades 11 and 12
Last August 22, 2020, an online tour curated by G. Mark Christian Fidelino, was also held at the newly redeveloped Lagusnilad Underpass and Liwasang Bonifacio, Manila, in the synchronous session of the Kabataang Pag-Asa ng Bayan KPB-PIQC Club during club time. During the online tour, the Lagusnilad Underpass displayed pictures of the historical events of the country, while Liwasang Bonifacio, which once a filthy place is now a clean city square. After the online tour, the club members were tasked to make five (5) questions about those places.
It’s so gladdening that the school is still able to hold such celebrations for the students. Even though this celebration is limited online, the aim of this celebration is achieved. As we end the celebration of Buwan ng Kasaysayan at Wikang Pambansa, we should not stop learning, appreciating, and loving our nation’s history and culture.
Aaron Miguel E. Ng
Gr.12-STEM, President of KPB-PIQC Club
