Buwan ng Wika

Buwan ng Wika is celebrated on the month of August and for this year, the theme is “Filipino: Wika ng Pambansang Kaunlaran” (Filipino: The Language of National Progress). According to the Department of Education (DepEd), the aim for this year’s theme is to show the importance of language in achieving greater progress as a nation. The sub-themes are as follows:

- Filipino: The Language of Cultural Progress (Wika ng Kaunlarang Pangkultura)

- Filipino: The Language of Economic Progress (Wika ng Kaunlarang Pang-ekonomiya)

- Filipino: The Language of Social Progress (Wika ng Kaunlarang Panlipunan)

- Filipino: The Language of Technological Progress (Wika ng Kaunlarang Panteknolohiya)


As the tradition practiced in many elementary, high school or even college schools and universities, students celebrate the month with different presentations such as Filipino dances, Filipino songs and Filipino games. Aside from school celebrations, DepEd also planned several activities for this month, including visits to different schools all over the country.

The celebration of Buwan Ng Wika every year serves as a reminder to all of our language, our culture and our country. Oftentimes, the Filipino language is not given much importance. In a world where internet is king and social media is an integral part of life, there is not much priority given to our own language, to our own country. It is during this month-long celebration that we open our eyes to our own culture.

I heard a report from the news channel once that in connection with the K to 12 program, some Filipino experts recommend that the subjects be taught in Filipino or use the dialect of a certain region, known as the mother tongue. For example in Cebu, the subjects will be taught in Cebuano or Bisaya. The use of our language in teaching is a start of promoting our language to the new generation as well as helping them understand better.

Do you think this is a good idea? Share your thoughts.



Maria Celeste Abellana
iSTORYA League of Writers

Celeste is a content writer. blogger. social media addict. learning social media marketing. loves music and coffee. future work-from-home mom. single parent to an awesome boy who is growing up too fast.