Press Release No. EBB-38-2020
Jeddah PCG holds webinar on the Filipino language, in celebration of “Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa 2020”
Jeddah, 2 September 2020 – The Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah on 31 August 2020 held a webinar on the Filipino language, in celebration of “Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa 2020”. The topics of the webinar revolved around the theme: “Migranteng Filipino sa Harap ng Pandemya: Hinubog ng Wika, Hinulma ng Kasaysayan.” Filipino language experts from the University of Santo (UST) and De La Salle University (DLSU) served as resource speakers of the webinar, which was participated in by Filipino teachers of Philippine schools in Jeddah, such as the Al Dura International School (ADIS), Durat Al Sharq International School (DASIS), and the International Philippine School in Jeddah (IPSJ).
In his opening message, Consul General Edgar B. Badajos underscored the role of the Filipino language not only as a tool for communication, but also to express one’s thoughts and emotions. “The Filipino language can be a strong national unifying element that can unite all Filipinos all over the world towards one common goal of nation building,” Consul General Badajos added.
Resource speaker Dr. Wennielyn F. Fajilan, Head of the UST Sentro ng Salin at Araling Salin, traced the roots of the Filipino language from the Austronesian family of languages as well as the multilingual and multicultural quality of the Filipino language.
Dr. Dexter B. Cayanes, Associate Professor at UST and DLSU, talked about the Filipino diaspora and discussed the collective experience of the Filipinos in the formation of national identity and language.
Assistant Professor Alvin Rinngo C. Reyes, Chair of the UST Filipino Department, gave principles and strategies in the effective teaching of Filipino as a second language to Filipino students as expatriates in other countries.
The webinar also included sharing of experiences by Mr. Carlos de Leon who has lived and worked for 40 years in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as educator, school administrator, and Filipino teacher.
The webinar, which was hosted and moderated by Consul Mary Jennifer D. Dingal and Vice-Consul Alfred Kristoffer A. Guiang, also showcased Filipino culture and performance arts with a Filipino and Bisayan song number by Mr. Art Pagunsan, 2020 Quarantahan sa Jeddah Champion, and a chorale reading by students of the Al Dura International School (ADIS) of an original piece written by Ms. Belinda Masangkay. –END—
Speakers, participants and Jeddah PCG officials at the Jeddah PCG organized Buwan ng Wika webinar which
has the theme “Migranteng Filipino sa Harap ng Pandemya: Hinubog ng Wika, Hinulma ng Kasaysayan”
