Saturday, August 18, 2007

Filipino: Bonding a Nation and Its People


Filipino: Bonding a Nation and Its People

Filipino, the Philippines’ national and official language, stands as a true testament to the nation’s rich and colorful history. If one carefully dissects the language, it embodies a passionate love for freedom and a proud people’s outlook on the serenity of life. The language is serious and elegant, yet sensitive at the same time. It promotes a sense of spirit and independent thinking. Its alphabet, which is made up of 28 letters, serves as the bridge to the numerous dialects shaping the more than 7,100 islands that make up the Pearl of the Orient Seas.

The Filipino language embodies the scores of dialects in the country, from that of the Ilokanos in the far north, to those of the Muslims in the south. Some scholars believe that a country with such a vast number of dialects will have a difficult time finding itself politically, economically, and socially. Indeed, the thought has its own merits. However, it failed to account for one variable - the emergence of a national language. Any sense of ill-feeling, hatred, resentment, and distrust amongst the country’s people because of their different backgrounds and cultures has been removed via the emergence of Filipino as a national language. The Filipino people now freely communicate ideas, exchange opinions, and ponder on thoughts. Filipino has bonded the Philippines’ culturally-diversed people into one cohesive force. Nowhere in the world has a language bonded a nation and its people so strongly, becoming its backbone and serving as the catalyst towards its sense of nationalism. It has advanced a sense of pride among the country’s people, irrespective of what region they came from, economic status, or social position. It has also allowed the Filipino people to see themselves as one whenever threatened by the same peril and wounded in the same feelings, becoming the cornerstone during times of political conflicts, social upheavals, and international intrigues. Thus, hands are clasped, common causes are made, and objectives are shared and realized. Yes, such union is not yet perfected, but we are getting there!

Filipino’s unique position in bridging the country’s dialects has also promoted the inevitable advancement and ethical progress of the Philippines. Admit it or not, the language’s character has been instrumental in the pursuit of reforms that are both effective and efficient. It has improved the state of free press in the country, serving as a powerful tool in advancing truths and facts in every conceivable channel, from radio to television, from newspapers to texts, and now blogs. A free press keeps the government in touch with public opinion and promotes the free dissemination of information, both of which allow our officials to better determine, weigh, and estimate the needs of the people, thus promoting good governance. Laws and acts of officials are kept in checked, thus, promoting the development of employees and officials capable and cognizant of their duties. When you have such, you have justice, which is the foremost virtue of the civilizing races. In the end, the road that appears best for a country becomes easily recognizable. Without a national language, the government would be likened to someone managing a house, giving it a polished and a fine appearance, yet without any thoughts on finances and the welfare of the family members.

Moreover, a nation does not acquire respect, it earns it. The Philippines’ national language has helped the country earn hers, functioning as a badge of identity, serving as a medium to promote and build on dreams of prestige, both locally and internationally. The Filipino language has helped eradicate ignorance amongst its people via a heightened zeal for learning, translating into a profound thirst for knowledge both for the sciences and the arts. The humblest families make enormous sacrifices, to the extent of working as servants, both here and abroad, to send their children to school so that they may become a little enlightened. Thus, it follows that if the Filipino is enlightened, then, they are sufficiently intelligent to pay taxes and choose and retain the one who looks after him, his interests, and the country. To reason otherwise is to be nonsensical.

In addition, the influence of the Philippines’ national language spills over on the life of law and civilization. If the rights of the Filipino people are respected, then, more often than not, the other rights due them are granted, It also advocates the carrying out of liberal government policies without trickery, false interpretation, and expectations that are uncalled for. Such eradicates, if not minimizes, exploitation and disturbance while simultaneously promoting the fulfillment of dreams and ambitions. Sentiments of patriotism and liberty are also heightened as reprisals, wrongs, and suspicions, which are the heart of incessant conflicts, insurrections, and uprisings, are crushed. All of these point towards a country that is sovereign, independent, and peaceful.

Finally, as our national language has more Filipinos learn the hard teachings that conflicts bring, it too has improved and strengthened their ethical nature. The Philippines of the past centuries is not the Philippines of the 21st century. Filipinos from different parts of the country and the world extend mutual support to each other as they have realized an identity, gained independence, and attained a great sense of spirit that has become synonymous with being a Filipino. Take the case of Filipinos who journey overseas in search of a better life for their families. From caregivers to the nurses and doctors, regardless of what province they came from or what region they belong to, overseas Filipino workers have the same patriotic feelings, recall memories of the sorry plight of their beautiful country, share stories of sadness and joys, embrace one another, and call one another brothers. Kababayan. Kapatid.

And I kid you not when I say that Filipino is more than one of the greatest languages in the world; for it is, truth be told, the embodiment of Philippine culture and pride, bonding the nation and its people. In the words of the Philippines' national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal,

  • “For language is the final judge and referee
    Upon the people in the land where it holds sway;

    In truth our human race resembles in this way,
    The other living being born in liberty.”

  • "Tagalog and the Latin language are the same
    And English and Castilian and the angels’ tongue.
    And God, whose watchful care o’er all is flung,
    Has given us His blessing in the speech we claim."


*Did you enjoy the post? Did you find it interesting?
It's my official entry to the 2007 Wika Project.
And I kid you not!

- please click the badge to vote -

The poll will start on
August 20 12:00am up to August 25 11:59:59pm.



*Much thanks to PinoyBlogoSphere and Pinoy Bloggers Society
and sponsors for this writing project!

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Wika2007 Blog Writing Contest

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39 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi,
This stuff gives the real information one needs. One can feel like reaching the destination.
Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Being patriotic is cool!!! mabuhay tayong lahat!

THE ANiTOKiD said...

@Tom! Much thanks for the kind words! Your thoughts are very much appreciated! And I kid you not!

@Ar-wee-der-yet: And being Filipino is coolness in my book! And I kid you not! Thanks for the support, my friend!

Anonymous said...

hahaha and2 link ko ah.. weeeeeeeeeeeee!!! more power to wika2007~!!!

ice9web said...

nice post ^_^
sa tingin ko mananalo ka
keep it up

THE ANiTOKiD said...

@Jehzlau: Of course, kabayan. Much thanks for being a sponsor of the writing project! :)

@Aice Nice: Much thanks for the vote of confidence dear! I appreciate it!

Admin said...

Hello Anito Kid..

I kid you not.... kakatuwa naman...

Goodluck sa atin... :)

Em said...

Hi AnitoKid,


A very insightful and well-thought out article. Thank you for introducing the beauty of the Filipino anguage to me.

I will be voting for you when the copetition starts 'cos I don't see your article there?

THE ANiTOKiD said...

Much thanks Anonymous! Thank you very much for the kind words. The poll will start on August 20, 2007, Philippine time.

Maraming, maraming, maraming, maraming salamat!

Anonymous said...

"Filipino language embodies the scores of dialects in the country..."

Our professor says that there are 111 dialects in the country but as you say, Filipino language embodies these... :) great thoughts, kuy!

One Wacky Mom said...

Anitokid,

Filipinos from different parts of the country and the world extend mutual support to each other as they have realized an identity, gained independence, and attained a great sense of spirit that has become synonymous with being a Filipino.

Moreover, a nation does not acquire respect, it earns it. The Philippines’ national language has helped the country earn hers, functioning as a badge of identity, serving as a medium to promote and build on dreams of prestige, both locally and internationally.

The Filipino language has helped eradicate ignorance amongst its people via a heightened zeal for learning, translating into a profound thirst for knowledge both for the sciences and the arts.

These words are inspiring and immeasurable in their impact, reach, and global appeal. I salute you and this post.

I am so impressed with this, I'm going to post about this on my blog and ask people to come vote for you.

The beauty of this message is what culture and language does for a nation...and that Anitokid is why this essay deserves to win! This is TRULY POWERFUL! CONGRATULATIONS!

THE ANiTOKiD said...

@Richard: Good luck sa atin, bro!

THE ANiTOKiD said...

@Vince:
My brother, I have always enjoyed your online company. And your support. You understand me.

Maraming salamat sa pagtangkilik, my brother. Maraming, maraming, maraming, maraming salamat!

THE ANiTOKiD said...

@Wacky Mom: You are too kind my friend! Much thanks for taking time out to read and comment on my entry. Your thoughts and views inspire me, Ev.

Maraming, maraming, maraming, maraming salamat po!

admindude said...

Hallo,
Voted for you but for some reason my name is not appearing in the list of those who voted eh alam ko naman member ako sa PBS. So I kept on clicking again and again. I hope that means more votes hehe. You wrote a very perceptive article by the way. Congrats. I'm hoping you'll win para mag blowout ka :-)

Janette Toral said...

Great post AnitoKid. Very insightful. Once Filipinos live abroad, that sense of patriotism and love for the language gets stronger even more.

THE ANiTOKiD said...

Much thanks Bill! I also hope so! :) Much thanks for the kind words, my friend.

THE ANiTOKiD said...

Much thanks, Ms. Janette. And may I just say that you serve as one of the inspirations of Filipino bloggers who want to make it in the online world.

Maraming, maraming, maraming, maraming salamat po!

exskindiver said...

hi anito kid,
read it and loved it!
voted already.
hope i did it properly.
my parents are in town visiting
will make my father read this too.
you write very well and very clearly.
will be back to show this to my dad.
~chesca

THE ANiTOKiD said...

Much thanks, Ches! Thank you very much for the kind words! Your vote didn't reflect on the poll, i don't know why.

And hey! You folks just flew in for a visit? Wow! Knowing you, they will have a very lovely and memorable stay there! Wish we were neighbors - prisinta akong tour guide siyempre! ha ha ha

Take care my friend! Regards to Mom and Dad, okay! Much thanks again for the vote!

admindude said...

Ayon, naregister na vote ko. Hope you win. Good luck :-)

ice9web said...

i voted ^_^ did it reflect?

kasi after i vote nag-brownout sa amin

please let me know leave a message on my blog thanks

salamat din for leaving comments

yup medyo mahirap nga pakainin un mga foreigners but i know one that they do love balut penoy not the Balut with chick because its tasty and juicy ^_^

Richard Du said...

Atin na ang tagumpay! Para sa Kalayaan!

THE ANiTOKiD said...

@Bill: Much thanks kabayan! Maraming salamat talaga!

THE ANiTOKiD said...

Maraming salamat Aice Nice! Thanks for all the support!

And yeah, you're right. I, myself, love the penoy than balut. I tried both, but I find penoy more delicious - especially the one that's "masabaw" (that's what they call it)

Maraming salamat ulit, kaibigan!

THE ANiTOKiD said...

Thanks for the support, Richard! You, I Am Sam, and The Broken Bow have always been an inspiration to this old bloke. And I kid you not!

I've read 3/4 of the entries - daming magagandang salaysay! Makes me proud that a lot of people took time out to write about something that we are all passionate about.

Maraming salamat ulit bro!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for your beautiful essay on our language. I am reaching the end of my 7th decade of existence and I have seen much of what our country has gone through. Yes, your idea of language as a unifying force for our beloved Pilipinas has already found fruition in the hearts of our countrymen and it is mostly manifested in the hearts and minds and souls of those who have left the sunkissed shores of our beloved land. I am one of them, but my heart is always in the Philippines. In fact, I can truly say that there is no day which passes when I do not think of home. Home is really where the heart is. All Filipinos are united and we will surmount all obstacles on our path to greatness. Language is the main vehicle that will bring us to our goal. Mabuhay ka, mahal na kababayan.

THE ANiTOKiD said...

I know not how to describe what I'm feeling right now after reading your comment, kabayan. It may sound dramatic and all, but here's the truth, I'm having this fuzzy feeling inside me now, Dad.

What you have just left at my site is so beautiful that it can only come from someone speaking from the heart. Your thoughts should serve as words of wisdom to the current and future generations of our great country.

I hope and pray that the number of Filipinos who strive to make our country great again will grow with each passing day.

It may sound cliche, Dad, but "Maraming, maraming, maraming, maraming salamat po!" I know you just got in to visit Ches, the kids and the rest of the family, yet you took time out to read this post and share your thoughts.

And I kid you not when I say that what you have just posted will always serve as one of my inspirations. Filipinos like you will always be one of my inspirations! I don't know where this blogging art will take me, but just to let you know, what I do, I do from the heart.

Maraming, maraming, maraming, maraming salamat po uli Dad!

Anonymous said...

that's a very wonderful post, Anitokid! you really have nice thoughts! :)

THE ANiTOKiD said...

@Anonymous: Much thanks, friend. I'm glad you liked it. :)

Little Guh Blues said...

Congratulations Anitokid for winning the Grand Prize!!!

Dont forget the pix in KL ha!

Anonymous said...

Found this article via Ev Nucci's My Life Is Murphy's Law post! I voted for ta! I am rooting for ya! Good luck! You deserve it that was beautifully written! You are a VERY talented writer! Good luck to you!

THE ANiTOKiD said...

Thanks Jheng! :)

THE ANiTOKiD said...

Thanks for the kind words, Barrett! Maraming salamat po!

Anonymous said...

Voted! :D

With the number of Filipinos leaving the country, it becomes even more important to keep our own language alive so as to keep our bonds strong not only within the Philippines but also throughout the world.

Kapitbisig sa diwa, salita at gawa.

THE ANiTOKiD said...

Much thanks ManilaMom! Loved what you said, my friend.

Anonymous said...

Well it’s a nice topic and helpful in my studies. I liked the blog ... keep it up buddy.

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THE ANiTOKiD said...

@Penisa:

Thanks!


:)

It's always a runout at The Runout TV!