Look Who’s Speaking Handiong’s Language (Not A Response to Soriano’s Article)

‘’They took away the language of my blood, giving me one ‘more widely understood.’ More widely understood! Now lips can never, never with the soul-of Me commune. Moments there are I strain, but futile ever, to flute my feelings through some native tune… alas, how can I interpret my mood? They took the away the language of my blood.’’ – Trinidad Tarrosa, Muted Cry

            Strangely, while ordering my lunch in a cafeteria of one of the big universities in Manila, I was asked, “Pinoy kayo?” (Are you Filipino?).

            I replied jokingly, “Pano mo nasabi?” (How could you tell?)

            “Kasi sa pananalita nyo, parang hindi.” (Because when you speak, it does not seem like you are Filipino).

            “Sige na nga, Bicolano kasi ako.” (Ok, I am Bicolano).

            In 2000 theme of the traditional Linggo ng Wika, ‘’Regional Language: Helping in Cultivating and Growth of the National Language” is like bringing-the-dead-into-life-again slogan. Then this 2011, a certain Soriano distinguished sardonically English as the language of the learned and Tagalog, although the language of his identity, also as the language of the streets. This brought the topic of languages again, which one is better to express our thoughts, emotions, and dreams.

            Over the years since 1935, the government has tried to adopt a national language embraced by all country that has at least eight major languages, (Tagalog, Cebuano, Bikol, Pampango, Ilokano, Waray, Ilongo, Pangalatok), each spoken by millions. Each has its own orthography, history, orthodoxy, and anima that set one apart from the others. But the government insisted on having one language that would attempt to encompass all these regional languages, thus the Filipino should incorporate words that originate from the regional languages, having Tagalog as the base language. But it failed miserably in that attempt. Since the national government is based in Manila, imperialistic tendency to dominate the peripherals and margins are rigged in style. Filipino Language is Tagalog in any way one would see it. For me, Filipino language remains a myth unleashed by the government to introduce a national language.

            Why can’t we just call our national language as Tagalog? After all these years, is there a word in Bikol, for example, that is now widely used and understandable in the country? Why do we have to create another language? What will happen to Tagalog?

            (Lµ βΩ₮ ὴiὴᵭдnᶃ ὠᶐᶀa₮д  ѽ!)

            During my time in elementary school, we were taught to speak in either English or Tagalog (for truth’s sake, it’s not Filipino). We were impeded and suppressed to speak our own mother tongue that is Bikol, or else we would pay several cents. Consequently in the beginning, we could barely express ourselves in school. The imposition of the foreign languages develops the thinking that our own Bikol language is inferior to English or Tagalog. This grossly unacceptable attitude is prevalent in schools, on government dealings, business transactions, and almost any given environment in Bicol. If Bicolanos can not appreciate and value their own language, who else will do? It took non-Bicolanos like Frs. James O’Brien, SJ, Frank Lynch, SJ and Jason Lobel in magnifying what was essentially Bicol in Bicolanos. What a poetic intercourse! They say it does not take a genius to pinpoint the obvious, but it took foreigner priests and linguist to point out the social realities and their meanings to their peoples.

            The Japanese pride of Nihonggo and the patronage of French, German, Spanish, and Chinese of their own languages tell us, Bicolanos, that we have something that cannot be taken away from us. We have been under the Spanish colonization, American colonization, Japanese expansion, and yet we never lost our Bikolnon identity that characterizes us and that differentiates us from Cebuanos, Warays, Tagalogs and others. That without a doubt is the Bikol language. Though Bicolanos are also known for the ardent devotion to Ina, Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia, any Tagalogs or Warays or others can lay claim to the same devotion to Ina. And no one can tell the difference not until they speak.

            We can never be Tagalogs or Americans because we are Bicolanos who have our own identity. In like manner, I may know and imagine to be superman and Enteng Kabisote, but my powers must stem from Handiong. On this note I conclude with an apology to my fellow Bicolanos for not writing this in Bikol but rest assured that I am with you in enhancing our Bikol language. Dispensa!

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