File photo for reference only

 

In a recent appeal, the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) urged parents, especially mothers, to play a pivotal role in teaching their children Filipino. This comes in response to growing concerns that the national language risks being eclipsed by the pervasive use of English.

 

During an interview on Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon, KWF Chairperson Marites Barrios-Taran expressed alarm over declining proficiency in Filipino among children, backed by reports from parents noting their kids' struggles with the language.

 

Barrios-Taran stressed the importance of daily use of Filipino and other native languages, starting at home, as the best method for preservation.

 

“No one else will love our language except us,” she stated, further warning, “Language dies when it isn’t used, and that is the biggest challenge. Our youth, from the moment they wake up, are surrounded by English.”

 

She called on families to adopt Filipino or native languages as their main form of communication at home. Simple changes, like greeting one another with “magandang umaga” instead of “good morning,” can make a significant difference in helping children feel more at ease using Filipino.

 

Additionally, Barrios-Taran encouraged the proliferation of Filipino and native languages in public spaces, such as schools, markets, churches, and government offices. “If we don’t use it, no one else will persevere in using it,” she added.

 

The KWF campaign arises amidst concerns that the forces of globalisation and the dominance of English across media, education, and social interactions are causing a decline in everyday Filipino usage among the younger generations.

 

Globalisation and the increasing importance of English as a global lingua franca have contributed to this linguistic shift. English is not only seen as a medium of instruction in many Filipino schools but also as a ticket to better economic opportunities. This perception is amplified by English’s prevalence in media, including television, films, and the internet, making it the go-to language for many young Filipinos.

 

However, KWF stresses the importance of language to cultural identity. Losing Filipino as a common tongue could distance younger generations from their heritage and communal ties.

 

Barrios-Taran’s call is a reminder of the collective responsibility to cherish and nurture the Filipino language. Encouraging the use of Filipino at home can empower children to embrace their linguistic roots. Changing the language habit at home need not be complicated—small, consistent efforts can lead to significant change.

 

Beyond the household, educational institutions hold a crucial role in integrating Filipino into their curriculums in innovative and engaging ways. Teachers can spearhead efforts to make learning the language both fun and relevant, possibly influencing students' language choices outside the classroom.

 

Ultimately, preserving the Filipino language requires a nation-wide effort. It touches upon identity, culture, and the legacies we wish to pass on. While English proficiency opens doors on a global stage, embracing Filipino ensures that those stepping onto that stage remain connected to their roots.

 

For this movement to succeed, everyone—parents, educators, and policymakers—must unitedly partake in weaving Filipino language use back into the fabric of daily life. Such efforts can be pivotal in ensuring that Filipino remains a living and vibrant language for generations to come.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from PNA 2025-08-13

 

14 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

File photo for reference only

 

In a recent appeal, the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) urged parents, especially mothers, to play a pivotal role in teaching their children Filipino. This comes in response to growing concerns that the national language risks being eclipsed by the pervasive use of English.

 

During an interview on Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon, KWF Chairperson Marites Barrios-Taran expressed alarm over declining proficiency in Filipino among children, backed by reports from parents noting their kids' struggles with the language.

 

Barrios-Taran stressed the importance of daily use of Filipino and other native languages, starting at home, as the best method for preservation.

 

“No one else will love our language except us,” she stated, further warning, “Language dies when it isn’t used, and that is the biggest challenge. Our youth, from the moment they wake up, are surrounded by English.”

 

She called on families to adopt Filipino or native languages as their main form of communication at home. Simple changes, like greeting one another with “magandang umaga” instead of “good morning,” can make a significant difference in helping children feel more at ease using Filipino.

 

Additionally, Barrios-Taran encouraged the proliferation of Filipino and native languages in public spaces, such as schools, markets, churches, and government offices. “If we don’t use it, no one else will persevere in using it,” she added.

 

The KWF campaign arises amidst concerns that the forces of globalisation and the dominance of English across media, education, and social interactions are causing a decline in everyday Filipino usage among the younger generations.

 

Globalisation and the increasing importance of English as a global lingua franca have contributed to this linguistic shift. English is not only seen as a medium of instruction in many Filipino schools but also as a ticket to better economic opportunities. This perception is amplified by English’s prevalence in media, including television, films, and the internet, making it the go-to language for many young Filipinos.

 

However, KWF stresses the importance of language to cultural identity. Losing Filipino as a common tongue could distance younger generations from their heritage and communal ties.

 

Barrios-Taran’s call is a reminder of the collective responsibility to cherish and nurture the Filipino language. Encouraging the use of Filipino at home can empower children to embrace their linguistic roots. Changing the language habit at home need not be complicated—small, consistent efforts can lead to significant change.

 

Beyond the household, educational institutions hold a crucial role in integrating Filipino into their curriculums in innovative and engaging ways. Teachers can spearhead efforts to make learning the language both fun and relevant, possibly influencing students' language choices outside the classroom.

 

Ultimately, preserving the Filipino language requires a nation-wide effort. It touches upon identity, culture, and the legacies we wish to pass on. While English proficiency opens doors on a global stage, embracing Filipino ensures that those stepping onto that stage remain connected to their roots.

 

For this movement to succeed, everyone—parents, educators, and policymakers—must unitedly partake in weaving Filipino language use back into the fabric of daily life. Such efforts can be pivotal in ensuring that Filipino remains a living and vibrant language for generations to come.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from PNA 2025-08-13

 

having spent many years in the Philippines I was always told that the number one export was filipino workers due to the fact that they speak English fairly well.  Sounds like spending more time learning Tagalog would have a negative impact on the labor wanting to go overseas.

14 hours ago, Presnock said:

having spent many years in the Philippines I was always told that the number one export was filipino workers due to the fact that they speak English fairly well.  Sounds like spending more time learning Tagalog would have a negative impact on the labor wanting to go overseas.

BTW history - when the Spanish ceded the PI to the US, the first thing the US govt did was send 500 English teachers there.  That is how Enlish became so dominant and now in many conversations with the locals, it is not unusal to be a misture of Tagalo, English, Spanish or maybe even something else thrown in.  But a great bunch of folks, especially all the older ones that remember the difficult years during and after the WWII and the help from the Americans. Last I heard, there was still an office calling for US statehood>

Malaysia once tried to stop English use in favour of Malay. The economic cost forced them to go back to learning English. They still teach Chinese in Singapore but everyone speaks English for economic reasons and my Singaporean friends never use Chinese.

They still teach French in Britain and Spanish in the USA. No one remembers when they get older.

Hold on, I am always being told that the Philippines is one of the largest native english speaking countries in the world...

40 minutes ago, JAG said:

Hold on, I am always being told that the Philippines is one of the largest native english speaking countries in the world...

 

41 minutes ago, JAG said:

Hold on, I am always being told that the Philippines is one of the largest native english speaking countries in the world...

I studied Tagalog once, spent 7 years in the PI.  My  Tagalog teacher told me that  when the Spanish came, they  burned all the books in Tagalog, and insisted that everyone learn Spanish.  As a matter of fact, my teacher told me that she had to go to school specifically to learn Tagalog as it wasn't her first language and in many instances has to refer to her Uncle who speaks Tagalog as a first language!  

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

File photo for reference only

 

In a recent appeal, the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) urged parents, especially mothers, to play a pivotal role in teaching their children Filipino. This comes in response to growing concerns that the national language risks being eclipsed by the pervasive use of English.

 

During an interview on Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon, KWF Chairperson Marites Barrios-Taran expressed alarm over declining proficiency in Filipino among children, backed by reports from parents noting their kids' struggles with the language.

 

Barrios-Taran stressed the importance of daily use of Filipino and other native languages, starting at home, as the best method for preservation.

 

“No one else will love our language except us,” she stated, further warning, “Language dies when it isn’t used, and that is the biggest challenge. Our youth, from the moment they wake up, are surrounded by English.”

 

She called on families to adopt Filipino or native languages as their main form of communication at home. Simple changes, like greeting one another with “magandang umaga” instead of “good morning,” can make a significant difference in helping children feel more at ease using Filipino.

 

Additionally, Barrios-Taran encouraged the proliferation of Filipino and native languages in public spaces, such as schools, markets, churches, and government offices. “If we don’t use it, no one else will persevere in using it,” she added.

 

The KWF campaign arises amidst concerns that the forces of globalisation and the dominance of English across media, education, and social interactions are causing a decline in everyday Filipino usage among the younger generations.

 

Globalisation and the increasing importance of English as a global lingua franca have contributed to this linguistic shift. English is not only seen as a medium of instruction in many Filipino schools but also as a ticket to better economic opportunities. This perception is amplified by English’s prevalence in media, including television, films, and the internet, making it the go-to language for many young Filipinos.

 

However, KWF stresses the importance of language to cultural identity. Losing Filipino as a common tongue could distance younger generations from their heritage and communal ties.

 

Barrios-Taran’s call is a reminder of the collective responsibility to cherish and nurture the Filipino language. Encouraging the use of Filipino at home can empower children to embrace their linguistic roots. Changing the language habit at home need not be complicated—small, consistent efforts can lead to significant change.

 

Beyond the household, educational institutions hold a crucial role in integrating Filipino into their curriculums in innovative and engaging ways. Teachers can spearhead efforts to make learning the language both fun and relevant, possibly influencing students' language choices outside the classroom.

 

Ultimately, preserving the Filipino language requires a nation-wide effort. It touches upon identity, culture, and the legacies we wish to pass on. While English proficiency opens doors on a global stage, embracing Filipino ensures that those stepping onto that stage remain connected to their roots.

 

For this movement to succeed, everyone—parents, educators, and policymakers—must unitedly partake in weaving Filipino language use back into the fabric of daily life. Such efforts can be pivotal in ensuring that Filipino remains a living and vibrant language for generations to come.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from PNA 2025-08-13

 

Filipino is not a language.  

4 hours ago, JAG said:

Hold on, I am always being told that the Philippines is one of the largest native english speaking countries in the world...

The United States is the largest native English-speaking country in the world, followed by the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.