Buwan ng Wika 2009

August is Buwan ng Wika (Language Month). This year's theme is "Wikang Filipino: Mula Baler Hanggang Buong Pilipinas" (The Filipino Language: From Baler to the Rest of the Philippines). It's not quite August yet, I know, but requests have already begun to come in, and that's why this post is up earlier than usual.

If you're wondering why Baler, Aurora, has been singled out, the poster above (via PLAI-STRLC) provides a clue: it's 400 years old (see Baler 400). But does the importance accorded its anniversary imply that the Filipino language began in Baler four centuries ago? No reasons are given in DepEd Memo No. 295 s.2009 (pdf), which sets forth the celebration's objectives and weekly themes, or even Proclamation No. 1696 (pdf), which declared 2009 as "The Year of Baler." But perhaps the answer is right there on the poster: Manuel L. Quezon is not only recognized as the father of the national language, he was also born in Baler.

Anyway, the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) is sponsoring the Gawad Surian sa Sanaysay, which offers cash incentives of P5,000 for three runners-up all the way to P20,000 for the first prize winner. All entries must be postmarked or received on or before 7 August 2009, 5:00 pm.