The Philippine Consulate General in Sydney led by Consul General Ezzedin Tago holds the second reading in Bigkas Serye which is its initiative for the celebration of National Language Month (Buwan ng Wika).

The series of reading of Filipino stories is held at 6pm on each Friday during August.  The reading is undertaken by the children of the Consular staff.  It is streamed live via the Consulate's Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/PHLinSydney/ )  and instagram @#PHLinSydney

The offering today, August 14 is Tagu-Taguan by Jomike Tejido, distributed by Tahanan Books.

The second reader in the series is Emerson Matthew Ibarra Galvez, who is the only child of Consular Assistant Emmanuel Galvez and his wife Mae who performed in the historic event of the commemoration of the anniversary of the Edsa People Power event. Six yeare old Emerson is in Vincent’s Primary School Year 1 where he has only been in the last six months. Before coming to Australia, he was a top achiever from Nursery to Kinder 2.   His achievements include Champion in Pagbigkas ng Tula in Buwan Ng Wika, 2nd place Storytelling Contest- Literacy Month,  Champion in Poem Recitation to name a few.

Asked what he wants to be one day, Emerson was quick to say:
"I want to be an Ambassador."

    

According to the official website of the Philippine Information Agency, the current theme of the National Language Month is:

“Wika ng Kasaysayan, Kasaysayan ng Wika” Ang mga Katutubong Wika sa Maka-Filipinong Bayanihan Kontra Pandemya “

This is meant to value the Filipino language, as well as other ethnic languages as effective weapons against the pandemic.

Background Information

The month-long celebration of the national language occurs during August since 1997, known in Filipino as Buwan ng Wika. Previously, this lasted only a week and was known as Linggo ng Wika. The celebration coincides with the month of birth of President Manuel L. Quezon, regarded as the "Ama ng Wikang Pambansa" (Father of the national language).

The celebration of national language dates back to 1946 when Proclamation No. 35 of March 26 provided for a week-long celebration of the national language. This celebration would last from March 27 until April 2 each year, the last day coinciding with birthday of the Filipino writer Francisco Baltazar who was well known for writing the Tagalog epic Florante at Laura.

Subsequent proclamations changed the dates, with President Ramon Magsaysay moving to coinciding with the birthday of President Manuel L. Quezon in 1955.  The reason for the move being given that the original celebration was a period "outside of the school year, thereby precluding the participation of schools in its celebration".

In 1988, President Corazon Aquino signed Proclamation No. 19, reaffirming the celebration every August 13 to 19.  In 1997, President Fidel V. Ramos extended the celebration from a week to a month by Proclamation 1041 of July 15.


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