Press Release
PR No. ETA-35-2022

PCG Jeddah holds webinar on the story of Philippine languages
in celebration of Buwan ng Wika 2022

30 August 2022, Jeddah – The Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah held a webinar titled “Ang Kwento ng Wika: The Story of Language” with Prof. Jesus Federico ‘Tuting’ C. Hernandez, Associate Professor of the Department of Linguistics of the University of the Philippines Diliman, as the webinar’s resource speaker. The webinar was held on 30 August 2022 via Zoom and Facebook Live in celebration of this year’s Buwan ng Wika.

Prof. Tuting Hernandez sharing his knowledge on diachronic linguistics and Philippine languages during the Buwan ng Wika webinar organized by the PCG Jeddah

Prof. Tuting Hernandez’s discussion focused on introducing the participants to the rich history and diversity of the languages in the Philippines, as well as to the linguistic situation in the country.

The webinar was divided into three parts: 1) paglalayag, 2) ugnayan, and 3) kalagayan. The first part talked about origins and diversity, giving the audience a brief overview of the expansion and spread of Philippine languages. In the second part, linguistic relations and encounters, the focus was on how the different languages are connected to one another and even to outside languages. The final part discussed the current linguistic situation of the Philippines and raised awareness on pressing issues concerning the endangerment of certain languages.

Various Zoom participants from the International Philippine School in Jeddah, the Durat al Sharq International School, the Philippine International Schools’ Teachers Association, and the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah attended the webinar

The webinar was hosted and moderated by Ms. Mary Elizabeth Janina E. Auxilian, who earned her degree in BA Linguistics from the University of the Philippines Diliman and is currently serving as the Post’s confidential secretary.

The theme for this year’s Buwan ng Wika is "Filipino at mga Katutubong Wika: Kasangkapan sa Pagtuklas at Paglikha”. -END-