Rotary Club of San Pedro South (RCSPS) celebrates Buwan ng Wika by hosting a webinar with National Artist Dr Virgilio Almario and Reverend Jose Jaime “Jay” Enage
RCSPS of District 3820 has been actively engaging an inspiring set of speakers all-year round. Determined to make a difference, Transforming President (TP) Guia Lopez de Leon invited a National Artist for Literature to grace the club’s National Language Month (Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa) celebration. She invited one of her former mentors in Diliman, the one and only “Rio Alma” in their webinar last August 20.
Dr. Virgilio Senadrin Almario, better known by his pen name Rio Alma, is a Filipino artist, author, poet, critic, translator, editor, teacher, and cultural manager. He is a National Artist of the Philippines, and was also elected as the chairman of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). He also serves as the chairman of the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF), the government agency mandated to promote and standardize the use of the Filipino language.
Truth be told, inviting a National Artist was not as easy as TP Guia had imagined. Since Dr. Almario is a dear mentor, TP Guia just casually invited him. Lest did she realized that August is one of his busiest months. Special thanks to Professor Eilene Narvaez of the University of the Philippines Diliman for making this event possible.
Dr. Almario highlighted during the webinar that the celebration is in honor of former President Manuel Quezon. Considered the Father of the National Language, he was born on August 19, 1878.
This year, despite the pandemic, is another milestone for RCSPS. Not only that RCSPS was graced with the presence of a National Artist, RCSPS was extra blessed by Reverend Jose Jaime “Jay” Enage’s support. Reverend Jay Enage is a proponent and advocate of the Ancient FiIipino Script. He is the Founding Chairman of Taklobo Baybayin and Baybayin Buhayin, Inc. He is a preacher for Progressive IEMELIF Church and Aniban IEMELIF Church. Vice President Jay is also the president-elect (PE) of the Rotary Club of Alabang Corporate Centre (RCACC).
PE Jay discussed the basics of Baybayin. He also emphasized that KWF leads this year’s celebration with the theme, “Wika ng Kasaysayan, Kasaysayan ng Wika.” Together with President Romeo Baldivico and Past President (PP) Lito Villarin of RCACC, and PP Shirley Tejero and PP Reynaldo Bongao of RCSPS, the official sisterhood agreement between RCSPS and RCACC was sealed. Essential to note as well were the fun games like “The Translation” and “The Recitation of ‘Panatang Makabayan’ or The Patriotic Oath.” This was moderated by Rotaractor Piolo Gadiana, the District’s Professional Development Chair. Also, it was District Interact Representative Gwen Jazel Jovenes who had read aloud the Certificates of Appreciation.
Rotaractor Victor James Escolano, hailed as one of the Most Outstanding Youth of Laguna and a young poet himself, served as the over-all host. He is also the Chair for the singing and poetry contests or “Patimpalak” this coming August 29. “Filipino: Wika ng Kampeon, at Lunsaran ng Makabayang Kamalayan” (Filipino: Language of a Champion and Launchpad of National Consciousness) is an annual project of RCSPS.
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