The month of August marked the “Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa”, an annual celebration of our country that highlights our Filipino language, with the theme of “Wika Natin ang Daang Matuwid”. Likewise, our school, Colegio de Sta. Teresa de Avila, celebrated it.

Various activities were held as early as August 1 when the Filipino language was used in communication and correspondence. The Celebration of the Buwan ng Wika was officially opened on the 14^th day of August, 2013 at exactly 8:00 in the morning at the CSTA Gymnasium and was emceed by Joan Lucero and John Vincent Conde.

Meanwhile, the closing of the said program was culminated at the STSN Grounds on the 31st day of August, 2013. In correspond to the celebration, professors, faculties and other staff members wore different kinds of traditional and cultural Filipino Attires such as Filipiniana, Baro’t Saya, Barong Tagalog, Native Filipino Attires, Muslim Attires and etc. All these portray and symbolize the essence of being a Filipino Merit.

The program officially started at approximately 2:00 pm and was ended at exactly 5:30 pm. This celebration was contained by some intermission numbers such as ethnic dance performances, singing performances and also, viewed the highlights of the program that includes the Sadulawitan and Lakan and Lakambini’s beauty pageant. These brought to us by all of the representatives of each department and was led by the following respective emcees, Angeline Rabi and Mark Angel Arcega.

The first stop of the celebration was Sadulawitan that was judged by Dean Harold Lucero, John Judiel Noche, Jeffrey Leona, Ellaise Filoteo and Rocel Desierto. Their piece was “Bakit Babae ang Naghuhugas ng P”. The contestants, BSIT 1-4 and BSIT 1-5, both hooked the first place of this contest.

Representatives from the BSED, Anne Penelope Diesta and Renz Erris Rubio, made the Education Department loud and proud for winning the title of Lakan at Lakambini 2013. Anne Penelope Diesta swept all the minor awards in the Female category specifically, Best in Filipiniana, Best in Regional Costume and Darling of the Crowd with Arnie Montes BSHRM. Another minor award was also given to Arnie Montes BSHRM and Eleazar Llobrero BSIT for winning the Best in Barong Tagalog. This segment was headed by the respected judges namely, Ellaise Filoteo, Rocel Desierto and Dr. Joel Bagay.

Lutong Pinoy is another major contest that was ruled by the Pampanga’s Delicacies of HRS 2-5 by nailing it to the first place and was followed by the Specialties of the Cebuanos by the HRS 1-3 and HRM 1-6 who won as the third placer with their Ilo-ilo’s Main Dishes. This contest was held at the CSTA Grounds from 7:30 to 11:30 am last August 31, 2013 and was judged by Dr. Salvacion Mopaz, Dean Ruby Odulio, Dean Harold Lucero and Mr. Arturo Apostol Jr.

The winners of the essay writing as thereby declared were 1^st Ruth P. Odias HRS 1-5, 2^nd Alezhandra C. Darrios HRS 1-5 and 3^rd Ramel T.Aniban HRS 1-2. On the other hand, poster slogan making winners were 1^st Jaive A. Monderei Amos and Richard O. Lanson, 2^nd Sarah Jane Atienza, Angelica Joy Escasinas and Neressa Secretaria and 3^rd Analyn Lazaro, Cathy Mae Balonga, and Kia Mae Camu. These winners received certificates, medals and cash prizes for winning in the said contests that was awarded by their respective Deans, Advisers and Professors.

Christian Ann C. Ramos, chairperson of the program and BSED Filipino Major students, who helped in organizing the event, were congratulated by the Dean of the Education Department, Dr. Rosario de Osera, in her closing remarks for the conduct of the affair.

Buwan ng Wika is really a blast for us in expressing ourselves as Filipinos. Our language is the most important thing that we have in order to survive in our daily living. Never attempt to bypass our very own Filipino language because you can never be a good speaker in the second language if you, yourself, don’t know everything about our native one.

Author: Joan Lucero