Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) Chairman Dr. Arthur P. Casanova, in his speech, underscored the role of the University of Santo Tomas as a premier research hub for the intellectualization of the Filipino language. He stated this during the culmination of WIKAAKUHAN: Tomasinong Pagdiriwang ng Buwan ng Wika, organized by the Department of Filipino, College of Education held on August 31, 2021.
WIKAAKUHAN 2021 was a three-part webinar series on language and culture held on the Tuesdays of August, in celebration of this year’s Buwan ng Wika.
Newly-appointed UST Department of Filipino Chair Dr. Roberto Ampil, inaugurated the first leg, held on August 17, with the theme “Wika at Panitikan.” Featured lecturers were multi-awarded fictionists Dr. Luna Sicat-Cleto and Ms. Rosa May Bayuga.
Cleto lectured on “Tungkol sa Kapangyarihan ng Maláy na Pagninilay,” while Bayuga discussed “Hininga’t Hiraya sa Sinapupunan ng Hiwaga.”
The second session was held on August 24. Following the theme “Kultura at Katutubong Wika,” educators Dr. Randy Nobleza lectured on “Wikang Filipino at Marinduque: Bigkis ng Magkakabuklod na Isla sa MIMAROPA,” while Dr. Vicente Villan expounded on “Pasundayag: Ang Adaptibong Wikang Akademiko at Halaga ng Organikong Sining sa Dekolonisasyon ng mga Pilipino.”
To cap the series, Dr. Rhoderick V. Nuncio’s “Ang Araling Filipino at Maka-Pilipinong Pananaliksik sa Gitna ng Krisis at sa Bagong Normal” and Dr. Romeo P. Peña’s “Pagsusulong ng Maka-Pilipinong Multidisiplinaryong mga Pananaliksik: Ilang Hamon at Inspirasyon” delved on the theme “Wika at Pananaliksik.” The third and final session was held on August 31.
In her closing remarks, College of Education Dean Assoc. Prof. Pilar I. Romero, Ph.D., reminded the participants to celebrate language despite the challenges that we face during the pandemic.
The webinar series may be viewed on the UST Departamento ng Filipino Facebook page.
