KWF unveils 8th language monument in Batangas
THE Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino unveiled the eighth Bantayog-Wika or Language Monument in honor of the Tagalog language in the province of Batangas on August 23.
Located at the Historical Park, Provincial Capitol Compound, Batangas City, the Bantayog-Wika is made of staineless steel in the shape of a bamboo at 10 feet tall created by sculptor Luis “Junyee” Yee Jr. Verses of Andres Bonifacio’s “
are etched in the body of the marker.
Tagalog is one of the major dialects of the Philippines which the national language is largely based on and used by residents of Aurora, Bataan, Batangas, Bulacan, Camarines Norte, Cavite, Laguna, Marinduque, Mindoro, National Capital Region, Nueva Ecija, Palawan, Quezon, Rizal and Zambales.
Considered a great work of literature in Tagalog is “Florante At Laura” by Francisco “Balagtas” Baltazar originally published in 1838. Considered as an which means song in modern Filipino, the masterpiece at that time though was referred to a standard poetic format with four lines per stanza, 12 syllables per line, complete gramatically correct sentence with figures speech in them. It became the landmark for the use of the native dialect by revolutionaries like Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto and Marcelo H. del Pilar.
Among the distinguished writers of Batangas include Gaspar Aquino de Belen ( Rosario), who wrote the first published
poem in the country; Teodoro Agoncillo ( Lemery); Teodoro Kalaw ( Lipa City); National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera ( Lipa City); Apolinario Mabini ( Tanauan); Padre Vicente Garcia ( Maugat); and Claro M. Recto ( Lipa City).
Batangas government officials led by Gov. Hermilando Mandanas unveiled the marker along with KWF commissioner Purificacion Delima, representing National Artist for Literature concurrently NCCA and KWF chairman Virgilio Almario.
The seven language markers that had been unveiled earlier this year are located in Antique, Ifugao, Davao Oriental, Kalinga, Occidental Mindoro, Bukidnon and Bataan – all designed and created by Yee.
Endorsed by the office of Sen. Loren Legarda and KWF, more markers are set to be erected in the 175- indigenous speaking communities around the country.
“These language monuments help in saving the country’s intangible cultural heritage, not merely ornaments or displays. These symbolize our diverse culture that further exemplify our distinct culture and heritage,” the senator said.