Language, the Loam of Existence

     A robust tree with a web of branches covered with green leaves can never be acknowledged for the times it remained hard-wearing; whether different seasons had to pluck off its leaves or poured down sunlight and rain for refinement. But there’s always an ingredient that makes it substantial, its foundation –the soil.

     A nation without one language is like a tree without fruits and blossoms. Language signifies nurturing of individuality. It entails developing the seed of an individual’s character, nature and life into societal communication. By cultivation, a being is schooled in the linguistic beliefs and practical attitudes of a particular group of people. It is an endless cycle of enhancing a harmony of verbal and semantic diversities.

     The dialectal morals and ideals of a community impart a distinctiveness of its own. As different people have diverse languages, they have their own ways of recognizing the world and their lives. As for my country, I believe that there’s that sole thing that separates us from the rest of the world- our vibrant idiom and culture that makes us distinctly Filipinos. This includes traditions, beliefs, language and arts within the citizenry. It will always be noticed that Filipinos still wear their joyful smiles and manage to celebrate even with a political misapprehension, ill-furnished economy and intensifying poverty in the country, indicating a positive way of dealing with problems. Most importantly, it teaches me to prevail comradeship. These are our systems of communication and these make us ONE.

    "History is a living and lively account of what we were and are; it could and should be as real to each of us as stories about family or about recent and past events. If all of that makes us understand humanity better, so does history make us understand ourselves, and our country infinitely better, in the context of our culture and our society."

     Though there are limitless reasons to be proud of our country, this one caught my attention,

"Pilipino ako, sapat nang dahilan 'yon para mahalin ko ang Pilipinas."

     Ito ay sinulat ni Bob Ong sa kanyang akdang, “Bakit Baligtad Magbasa ng Libro ang mga Pilipino?”. Maraming mga Pilipino ang nagsasabing minamahal nila ang kanilang bayan dahil sa mga magagandang tanawin, mga pambihirang pagkain, magandang klima at dahil nakatira ang kanilang mga iniidolo dito. Oo, ito’y totoo. Ngunit bakit sa mga ganitong kadahilanan? Hindi ba dapat dahil nais mong ipagbunyi at ipagmalaki na ika’y mula sa diwang Kayumanggi? Dahil batid mo ang mga tungkuling nararapat mong gampanan bilang isang mamamayang Pilipino? Dahil dito mo lamang masasanay ang iyong mga karapatan bilang Pilipino? Dahil mayroon kang mga magigiting na bayani na buong pusong nakipaglaban para sa kasarinlan? Dahil ika’y isang Pilipino at dapat lang na mahalin mo ang iyong bayan? Unti-unting nag-iiba ang ating mga pananaw sa buhay, unti-unti tayong nagbabago. Ngunitang pagbabagong ito ay hindi kanais-nais sa paghubog ng ating pagkaPilipino.

     Once people recognize the value of oneness, a common bond will broaden their minds thus they will promote fondness and amity in their hearts. It will illuminate the trail filled with delightful aspects and if we choose to stride in this path, our lives will become more consequential. 

     And as a youth, I can be an agriculturalist of cultivating one language. To sprinkle waters of contributions towards upward mobility to trees –the society- and to the soil –the culture, its core foundation. I’d like to watch them grow, grow and grow.