Today, Linggo ng Wika (Language Week) has become an extended to a month-long event we call Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa (National Language Month). It is that month of the year when all students, including government employees, are encouraged to use the native tongue; when teachers, students, and government employees are mandated to wear native attire and costumes; when patriotic posters plaster school bulletin boards and street billboards; and when students are not penalized by their teachers for speaking in Filipino. Most of us see it as a noble cause that furthers the growth and promotion of national pride, as language is a primordial pillar of national identity.

As we move towards the 21st when all nations converge and become a global village, the challenge is to raise global pinoy  kids imbued with the sense and pride of being pinoy.  “Yabang Pinoy,” a group founded by young, nationalistic students and yuppies, who realize that the gravest threat faced by the Philippines today is Filipinos not believing in their own nationality and identity, is hammering this home with “The Mark Peckson Project,” a four-part reality webisode series that revolves around a 29-year-old Filipino, who lives here and studies here yet strangely enough, has never learned the language. “Yabang Pinoy” is a project of Children’s Environmental Awareness and Action Foundation (CEAAF) whose thrust is environmental education on the richness of biodiversity in the Philippines. CEAAF is a beneficiary of the “Yabang Pinoy” project.

Coinciding with this initiative is the recent arrival of a group of Fil Am artists. Remember our lessons about the famous Galleon Trade that brought riches to Europe by navigating routes around Mexico, California and Manila? Last July 24-August 16, a Galleon Trade ship docked in Manila, carrying loads of contemporary art instead of spices and stoneware of the olden days. The  ship captain is Filipino-American artist Jenifer Wofford, who organized the exhibit, together with twelve Filipino-American and Mexican-American visual artists based in California. The artists exhibited paintings, sculptures, photography, installations, video art and performance art in three locations – Mag:net Gallery Katipunan, Mag:net Cafe High Street and Green Papaya Art Projects at UP Teachers Village in Diliman, Quezon City.

The modern-day Galleon Trade seeks to initiate a continuing art exchange program between Filipino-American and local artists, which Rock Drilon, Mag:net gallery owner, says is very encouraging.  “The term “brain drain” connected to their migrating parents is no longer applicable to these Fil-Ams.In fact, from “brain drain” the integration of arts and culture may even lead to relocation.”
With these two recent events, the trend towards Filipinization is indicative of our growing need to teach our kids the importance and value of our cultural heritage. How then do we do this by not just one month of the year but throughout their lives? By starting them young when they are most open to ideas and concepts through daily practice not only in school but at home. Here are some tips from parents and teachers:

1. Expose kids to Philippine literary classics by starting with Jose Rizal’s works such as Noli Me Tangere. Schedule trips to the library or bookstore. There are fun comic illustrations of these literary gems that are easy reading fare for little kids. Make time for role play games and have fun as well. Cecile, a 32-year-old preschool teacher says, “My two sons and I were calling ourselves Crispin, Basilio and Sisa for a whole week after we did an impromptu role play one night while they were studying Noli Me Tangere. That was crazy fun.”

2. Junk the usual fairytale stories at bedtime. One parent said her daughter’s favorite is Ibong Adarna by Jose dela Cruz and Nick Joaquin’s Summer Solstice, which she would tell and retell each night Kuya Bodgie style (of Batibot fame). “I started doing that when she was three years old. Imagine how surprised her 1st grade Filipino teacher was when she told her how she knew Nick Joaquin. My daughter stood up and related that story in front of the class, all from memory.” 

3. Encourage the use of Filipino-made products. “I like using Ilog Maria products at home and my 8 year old son asked why I like it so much. That got me started on telling him about how patronizing organic Filipino products can help the poor and underprivileged because part of the proceeds of the sale are given to charities. I also told him how manufacturing these products generate jobs for the poor,” says Rina, a 34-year-old advertising executive.

4.”Kids nowadays are so glued to videogames and internet that they rarely come out and play the usual games we used to play back then such as tumbang preso, piko, taya, even jolens,” says Jenny, a 28-year-old stay at home mom. She says she encourages her kids to play out in the sun during weekends. No computer or Wii.They jog at the CCP complex and she makes a running commentary on the art pieces on display at the park.
 
5. Teach your kids how to treat “kasambahays” with respect and love. Remember, these are the people we leave our kids with 24/7 when we are out working or enjoying adult stuff. Tell your kids that calling them kuya, ate or manang is a sign of respect and that they are not just servants but part of the family. The use of “po” and “opo” should also be encouraged.

These are just some of the ways to teach kids to love and live Pinoy and provide them with a solid cultural grounding. For, as one author puts it, it is with a strong sense of identity that will one day propel and inspire them to do more and be more. Happy parenting!

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