Kalayaan: The Liberating Power of Filipino Language
Every time August comes around the corner, every Filipino student knows that it’s just about time to prepare for an all-out battle against every section and year level in celebration of the Filipino Language.
From Lakan at Lakambini of the year, balagtasan, sabayang pagbigkas, down to the ever-colorful poster-making contest, our National Language Month celebration got it all for you. On the other hand, beyond a celebration, this event serves as a reminder of the power that our native tongue holds.
This year’s celebration follows the theme, Filipino: Wikang Mapagpalaya. Although this year’s theme is obviously shorter than its previous versions, it holds a certain depth that touches the most genuine Filipino spirit within us. It emphasizes the significance of our language in the essence of kalayaan or freedom, not only as a nation but as individuals. And yes, we no longer just use the word kalayaan in June for Independence Day because truly, the Filipino language sets us free in so many ways.
Speak the Filipino Language and be free!
Free enough to create a universe of possibilities
It may sound odd but our language really allows us to create not only a world but a universe where the possibilities meet no end. It sets our most creative versions free from the conventional rules and harsh reality, allowing us to hold the power of a creator and the voice of a god in the universe we see in our own visions. From the stories we write to the poetry pieces we carefully curate, we enjoy the freedom to let ourselves be in any form and control things the way we want.
Filipino literature may be considered as one of our greatest weapons in liberating not only ourselves but even the nation from the clouded visions on the reality of our society. Through the stories we create, we paint a more vivid picture of the truth in a way that is more understandable for the people. We present the reality in a manner that is more relatable for them—far from jargons and complex concepts but near enough to touch their hearts and awaken their Filipino souls.
On the other hand, we also get to bring them in a world no one has seen before; in a universe where dreams are realities. We get to introduce them to a world where common order of things may not exist but creatures of various forms may speak and act humanly and sometimes even more humanely. It frees our imagination and allows us to enjoy our creative powers as vessels of the Filipino tongue.
Filipino Language, power of the mass!
Vested with the freedom to express, the Filipino language acts as a powerful medium, especially for the Filipino mass in expressing calls and pushing forward their advocacies for various sectors in the society. It empowers the voices of the masses and liberates them from the silencing fear that holds them back from going out and taking their calls down the streets where their voices echo. Through native tongues, they clearly express their visions and demands, allowing them to bring these closer not only to those in seats but even to the citizens who need to hear.
From the powerful words in their slogans and placards to the spine-chilling conviction of their chants, the Filipino language resonates, reinforcing the power of the Filipino people to drive this nation through the undeniable force of the native tongue. With each word more understood in a deeper Filipino context, the spirit of the protest and the pride of the Filipino mass remains alive.
Unleashing the thoughts from within
Although many Filipinos tend to put the English language on a higher pedestal and sometimes even recognize fluency in it as a standard of intellect, it is undeniable how we could express our thoughts more freely in our own tongue. It does not require most of us that much time browsing our vocabulary, trying to look for the perfect word to match the exact meaning in the same context that we have up in our thought bubble.
Through the power of the Filipino language, we get to express all our thoughts, converse, and connect with more people around us, building stronger communities. It unleashes every idea in the most authentic way in the simplest things that we do and say. But looking at the bigger picture, it binds us as a nation with a common ground to understand each other
Those who have gone before us fought hard for the freedom that we enjoy today, and its spirit rooted in love of this nation and sacrifices shall forever live by our thoughts, deeds, and most especially by our tongues. Mabuhay! Lumaya!
