It’s Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa again this month of August as the Filipino nation celebrates our culture, heritage, and identity through our languages.
The country’s national language, Filipino, plays a vital role in unifying the archipelagic nation of the Philippines with its almost 200 different languages spoken by over 100 million inhabitants.
What can we do to be part of this wonderful celebration of pride and heritage as Filipino? Good News Pilipinas came up with a list of things to do this month of “Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa.”
SUPPORT FILIPINO MUSICALS
The month of August is a good way of renewing our Filipino spirit by supporting and watching local original Filipino musical theatre. These plays don’t just tell stories about our society but also showcase our talents as people. And with the use of our local language, these musicals will truly captivate our senses, refresh our memories, help us recall our history, and remind us of the beauty of our culture and heritage.
Here are the Filipino musicals the public should watch this month:
ANG HULING EL BIMBO
Ang Huling El Bimbo is back for its last run until August 18 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of Resorts World Manila. This musical tells the story of four friends who drifted apart after a tragedy interrupts their university life and were reunited because of another tragic incident. The play is set with the iconic music of the 90’s band, the Eraserheads.
Filipino Pride Advocate Gian Magdangal plays lead along with Jon Santos and OJ Mariano, and Menchu Lauchengco. Ang Huling El Bimbo is directed and choreographed by Dexter Santos with Myke Salomon as musical director.
MABINING MANDIRIGMA
The story of Apolinario Mabini turned into a musical is back at the Cultural Center of the Philippines for the third time. Tanghalang Pilipino’s original ‘steampunk’ musical stars Filipino theater actress Monique Wilson.
The musical will run from August 16 to September 1 at Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater). The Mabining Mandirigma musical is directed by Chris Millado, written by Nicanor Tiongson, with the music of Joed Balsamo, choreographed by Denisa Reyes, and set design by Toym Imao.
AURELIO SEDISYOSO
Another musical from Tanghalang Pilipino is Aurelio Sedisyoso, also returning to Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater) from August 23 to September 1. It tells the life story of revolutionary dramatist Aurelio Tolentino during the American period. David Ezra is set to topbill the play with the character of Aurelio Tolentino.
RAK OF AEGIS
The Philippines’ longest-running musical, now on its 7th season, is back on stage at the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) in Quezon City. Rak of Aegis tells the story of the people of Brgy. Venezia and their struggles in their flooded community. RAK is set to the music of popular Filipino pop-rock band, Aegis.
Returning to the cast is world-class Filipina singer Aicelle Santos who is now joined by OPM legends Bayang Barrios and Noel Cabangon, among other new cast members.
The musical will run until September 29.
WATCH CINEMALAYA FILMS
Now celebrating its 15th year-milestone, Cinemalaya, the country’s biggest independent film festival once again showcases high-caliber local films from August 3 to 11 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
In the last 14 years, Nikkei Prize-winning Cinemalaya has screened almost 300 Filipino indie films including documentaries and has presented nearly 200 young and independent directors.
In 2019 the festival has also expanded screenings not just in Metro Manila but also across the country through micro-cinemas and participating malls in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
Following are the micro venues for Cinemalaya 2019:
Metro Manila:
- UP Town Center
- Trinoma
- Glorietta
- Greenbelt
- Market Market
- Cinematheque at FDCP main office
- Cinema Centenario, Maginhawa Street, Quezon City
- Cinema ’76,San Juan City and its branch on Anonas Street
- Black Maria Cinema,Mandaluyong City
- The Dream Theater by CBRC at Espana Avenue, Sampaloc, Manila
Cavite:
- Evia Lifestyle Mall,Bacoor City.
- Vista Cinemas
Pampanga:
- Vista Cinemas, San Fernando City
Bicol Region:
- Vista Cinemas, Naga City
- Ayala Malls,Legaspi City
Western Visayas:
- Capitol Mall, Bacolod City
- Vista Cinemas, Iloilo City
- FDCP Cinematheque, Iloilo City
Mindanao:
- Abreeza Mall,Davao City
- FDCP’s Cinematheque
Check out the list of the 2019 Cinemalaya full length and short feature entries here:
CELEBRATE THE COUNTRY’S INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES
As more international audiences get to hear our languages – Tau’Sug language on South Korea television’s Arthdal Chronicles starred by Song Joong Ki spoken by Korean actors and Filipino actor Nash Ang; Tagalog language at the New Zealand Parliament spoken by the first KiwiNoy Member of Parliament, Paulo Garcia; and with Filipino language voted as Asia’s Sexiest Accent – it is fitting to have the 2019 Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa focus on the native languages of the Philippines.
This year’s Buwan ng Wika celebrations are anchored on the theme “Wikang Katutubo: Tungso sa Isang Bansang Filipino.” Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) Head Virgilio Almario said that Buwan ng Wika 2019 aims to “give tribute to the indigenous languages and emphasize their importance to nationhood.”
Almario said that “these languages have life on their own and they embody the traditions of so many generations of Filipinos from the past to present.
“Shining the light on these local languages is important in keeping them alive, in use, and to create inclusive and real wikang pambansa (national language).”
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Here are some Buwan ng Wika activities where students and the academic community can participate:
- Pambansang Kumperensya sa Pagsasalin, University of Santo Tomas, August 5-7
- Pambansang Kongreso sa Katutubong Wika, SMX Convention Center, Bacolod City, Agosto 19-21
- Usapang Meranaw Forum, Mindanao State University, August 28
- Chabacano Noon at Ngayon Forum, Western Mindanao State University, August 31
Check for other schedules of academic activities celebrating the Philippine native languages prepared by the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino and other partner organizations here:
TELL US in the comments below how you celebrate Buwan ng Wika?
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