By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
LUXENT HOTEL — The Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) Gabi ng Parangal ng Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa 2025 (2025 Awards Night of the Month of National Language) was held here on Tuesday (Aug. 19) at the Meridian Hall with the presence of KWF officials and other stakeholders.
The Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa was launched by President Manuel L. Quezon on March 16, 1954.
The 2025 Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa was spearheaded by the KWF with the theme: “Paglinang sa Filipino at Katutubong Wika: Makasaysayan sa Pagkakaisa ng Bansa”.
KWF Fulltime Commissioner for Administration and Finance Dr. Benjamin M. Mendillo, Jr. said that this month the nation commemorates the Birthday of the Father of the National Language, President Manuel L. Quezon.
Mendillo is also the Representative of the Ilokano Language.
Mendillo cited that English is necessary for transaction and Filipino Language is the deep understanding of Filipino culture and heritage.
“Let’s celebrate having our own Filipino Language,” Mendillo said.
Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero, in a video message, said that he is one with the KWF in the celebration of the Buwan ng Pambansang Wika.
Escudero congratulated the KWF for its propagation and promotion of the Filipino Language.
Senator Loren Legarda, in a video message, said that she had advocated for the country’s adaptation to climate change.
Legarda added that she is one with the KWF for the celebration of the Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa.
Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, in a video message, expressed his heartfelt collaboration with the 28th celebration of the Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa.
Gesmundo said that if the Filipinos can freely express themselves in the language that they know and understand, they can really attain justice.
KWF Chairperson Marites A. Barrios-Taran expressed her gratitude to all those who attended the Gabi ng Parangal.
Taran thanked President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. for appointing her as KWF Chairperson.
She noted that the Gabi ng Parangal is historic coinciding with the celebration of the 147th Birth Anniversary of President Manuel L. Quezon.
Taran cited that the KWF is under the Office of the President and has its office in JP Laurel, Malacanang, Manila.
She stressed that the mandate of the KWF is the promotion and propagation of Filipino language and Indigenous language.
Taran explained the Salin Wika, Sentro ng Wika at Kultura in different colleges and universities nationwide.
She pointed out that the KWF translates English language to Filipino language and Filipino language to English language.
She noted that Executive Order No. 335 mandates the use of Wikang Filipino or Katutubong Wika in all correspondence in government offices.
In her short period in office, Taran has accommodated several interviews that involved the dissemination and progress of the high level of Filipino language.
The Awardees are Klara D. Espedido, Mananaysay ng Taon 2025, with her winning piece, “Ang Metanaratibo ng Paglabag Bilang Saligang Paretyeya at Penahirang sa Preserbasyon ng mga Wikang Katutubo: Pahiwatig ng mga Alamat mula sa Bersiyong Saliling ng Bendingang Kapu’unpu’un”.
Emersan D. Baldemor, Ikalawang Gantimpala, with his winning piece, “Amba, Di Ak Kalimdan, Panitikang Oral Bilang Daluyan ng Alaala, Laban, at Pagbabanyuhay ng Wika”.
Precioso M. Dahe, Jr., Ikatlong Gantimpala, with his winning piece, “Sa Piling ng Pig-Alaran, Kulaman, at Abyan, Sa bisyon ng mga Apu ng Piglamitan: Ang lageng ng Kakahuyan, Mito, at ang Etnomusikolohiya ng Oral na Panitikan laban sa Hamong Eremitismo sa mga Katutubong Wika sa Pilipinas”.
Brian Harold M. Comeling, May Karangalan, with his winning piece, “Hinabing Salinlahi, Ilo ng Katutubo: Sosyal Midya at Teknolohiya Bilang Makinang Habihan sa Kolaboratibong Preserbasyon at ang Panibagong Yugtong Oralidad ng Panitikang Katutubo sa Siglo ng Dihital”.
Robert A. Andres, May Karangalan, with his winning piece, “Ang Tinig na Hindi Nawawala: Panitikang Oral Bilang Daluyan ng Pagpapasigla ng mga Wikang Katutubo”.
The Awardees of the Selyo ng Kahusayan sa Wika at Kultura 2025 are the Camarines Norte State College (CNSC), Biliran Province State University (BipSU), Cebu Normal University (CNU), Catanduanes State University (CatSU), Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA), Bicol University (BU), and Davao Oriental State University (DorSU).
Dr. Carmelita C. Abdurahman, Fulltime Commissioner for Projects and Programs, and Representative of the Samar-Leyte Language, delivered the closing remarks.
Also present were Commissioners Dr. Christian T. N. Aguado, Representative of the Southern Cultural Community Language; Dr. Reggie O. Cruz, Representative of Kapampangan Language; Dr. Evelyn C. Oliquino, Representative of Bikol Language; Dr. Melchor E. Orphilla, Representative of Pangasinan Language; and Dr. Ruth M. Tindaan, Representative of Northern Cultural Community Language. ###
