WIKA NATIN ANG DAANG MATUWID

           Every year, we celebrate the Filipino language on the month of August. We go back to our roots, we enrich our knowledge on our language, and we remember the sacrifices that our ancestors made for us to have our own language.

            We are welcoming the month of August this year with the theme: “Wika Natin ang Daang Matuwid.”

Kung una mo maririnig ang tema ng Buwan ng Wika sa taong ito, isiisipin mo “Parang may kulang.” Hindi ito tulad ng mga nakaraang tema kung saan may tugma at tila ibinibigay na agad ang lahat ng impormasyon ayon sa tema.

            Ngunit sa taong ito, hinahayaan na tayo mismo ang mag-isip n gating sariling interprasyon sa tema.

            Ating suriin ang mensahe ng katagang ito. Bakit nga ba naiugnay ang daan, sa wika? Siguro ang unang sumagi sa utak mo ay isa ito sa mga adhikain ni Pnoy. Pero, yun ngalang ba ang rason?

            Though we are reminded yearly of the Wikang Filipino, sometimes we still tend to take our language for granted. Some of us are more fluent in English than our own dialect. This should not be. We should express ourselves with respect to the heroes we praise and study about.

            We should continue the legacy of our ancestors. We should be aware that we have the responsibility to fight for our right to speak. And that we must speak our rights in our own language.

            As said above, when August comes along, we go back to our roots. That is what we need to do. Go back to our Filipino roots where spirit of bayanihan, our natural hospitality, and our love to lead and to serve for others prevail. Our language is so rich in history, and not using it would be turpitude.

            Our language was once a symbol for freedom. It made us free of the foreign countries who took over us. We do not anymore use their language, but our own.

            This time around, our language is a symbol for the straight path that we wish to walk on.  The straight path which will lead us to worthwhile victory. Let us remember our language’s history, and take in the importance of the Wikang Filipino. 

Pinoy's SONA.

President Benigno S. Aquino III's 4th State Of the Nation Address last July 22, 2013 is his longest since being elected last 2010. It was held at the Session Hall of the House of Representatives, Batasang Pambansa Complex, Quezon City. His SONA was 55 pages long and it lasted for 1 hour and 40 minutes. 

The President emphasized his gratitude toward his bosses (a term he uses to call out  the Filipinos). He was ecstatic that out of the 12 candidates he endorsed, occupied the 9 seats in the senate. He referred to them as “mga kasangga patungo sa tuwid na daan.”

Mr. Aquino  also stressed out his accomplishments for the past 3 years of his administration. Here are the higlights:

1)     TESDA-DOLE Scholarship

·        A total of 503,521 students have received the scholarship.

·        An estimated 6 out of 10 scholars landed a job.

·        From the 28.5% employment rate last 2006-2008 to 70.9% because of the IT-BPO program.

2)     Pantawid Pamilya Program

3)     Education Reforms

·        K to 12 Program

·        Addressed deficiencies in classrooms and textbooks.

4)     Agricultural Reforms

5)     Health Programs (Increased coverage of and benefits from PhilHealth.)

6)     Readiness in Calamities

·        Joint effort of the Geohazard Mapping and Assessment Program and Project NOAH of the DOST.)

7)     Housing Programs

8)     Enhancement of the Armed Forces and Police

9)     Secure and Fair Elections

10)Peace and Order Situation in Mindanao

·        Bangsamoro Framework Agreement

11)Enhancement Tourism Industry

12)Economic Growth

13)Issues that he thinks need to be done:

·        SSS Pension Scheme Modification

·        Fake hike in MRT and LRT to decrease the subsidized fare and allot it to other government services.

Though many Filipinos are doubtful about Pinoy’s administration, I believe that he has achieved a lot in his term. I am hopeful that he will continue his strive for the “tuwid na daan.”