Wika at Dunong

In this world where controversies become instant “trendings” personalities also become instant targets for criticisms and curses. Not-so-long ago the focus was with Mideo Cruz and his Politeismo art work. At present, however, the focus of public outrage is at an ADMU student, James Soriano, because of his seemingly “unmindful” article that downgraded the Filipino language into “the language of the streets” and worse, as “not the language of the learned.”

I won’t join the bandwagon of mudsling and rants (although I admit that the initial reaction I had was hatred as well). Instead, I will try to present my analysis on the possible causes and effects of such an idea or philosophy (if it may be labelled as such) to the general public.

Subalit upang mas paigtingin ang ating pag-aaral sa nasabing artikulo, aking ilalahad ang aking mga naisip at napagtanto sa wikang kanyang pinapatungkulan.

1. Ang Wika bilang Maskara at Sandata

Napatunayan na ng mga pag-aaral sa sosylohiya, antropolohiya, kasaysayan, at maging sikolohiya, na sa kahit anong kultura, komunidad, o bansa, ang wika ay isang epektibo at makapangyarihang sandata. Ito’y nagsisilbing marka ng mga naghaharing-uri. Subalit ito rin ang s’yang naging sandata ng mga api sa kanilang paglulunsad ng rebolusyon laban sa dikta ng mga manunupil. Sa kabilang banda, ang wika rin ay maskara sa ilang pagkakataon. Magandang halimbawa dito si Doña Victorina na nakilala natin sa Noli bilang nagpapangap na Mestisang Kastila sa pamamagitan ng paglalagay ng maraming kolorete sa muka at pagpupumilit na magsalita ng Kastila (na s’yang wika ng kapangyarihan noon).

2. Ang Wika at ang mga naghaharing-uri

Ang wika rin, gaya ng nabanggit sa itaas, ay isang simbolo ng kapangyarihan at pamumuno. Sa pag-aaral ng Bilingualism, may iba’t-ibang uri ng Bilingual Education programs na ipinatupad sa iba’t-ibang panig ng mundo. Isa na rito ang nakilala bilang “Segregationist” kung saan wika ng dominanteng kultura o grupo ang siyang ginagamit bilang wika ng pag-aaral. Isang magandang halimbawa dito ang pag-aaral na nailathala ni Hertz-Lazarowits et.al. (2008) kung saan kanilang sinuri ang ethnic segregation sa Israel. Lalayo pa ba tayo? Hindi ba’t dito mismo sa atin, ipinagkait ng mga Kastila ang kanilang wika sa mga indios dahil hindi nila nais na matuto ang mga ordinaryong mamamayan dahil ito nga’y magbubunsod ng pag-aaklas sa kanilang pamahalaan.

3. Ang Wika at ang Responsableng Magulang

Noong ako ay isang undergraduate sa PNU, nabanggit ni Dr. Nilda Sunga na h’wag daw namin piliting turuan ang aming mga magiging anak na maging L1 o unang wika ang Ingles (lalo na kung dito lang din naman kami titira at hindi mangingibang bansa) dahil baka raw mahirapang makipaglaro sa ibang bata ang aming mga magiging anak. Noong una, hindi ko s’ya maintindihan. Tinuturuan nila kaming maging guro ng wikang Ingles, pero hindi niya nais na turuan namin ang aming mga anak na mag-ingles? Naintindihan ko na lamang ang kanyang sinabi ng aking mabasa ang mga lathalain ni Dr. Jim Cummins (particular ang kanyang Iceberg Analogy at Common Underlying Language Proficiency hypothesis) at noong ako ay makadalo sa ilang kumperensya na kung saan inilahad ni Dianne Dekker ang resulta ng kanyang pag-aaral sa Lubuagan. Sinusulong ni Dekker ang Mother-Tongue Based Multilingual Education Program (MTB-MLE). Napagtanto kong ang isa sa pinakamahalagang salik sa pagkatutuo ng KAHIT ANO’NG wika ay ang pagpapaunlad muna sa kaisipan ng isang bata. Samakatuwid, upang mapagyaman at mapayabong ang ikalawang wika at iba pang wika, dapat munang mapaunlad ang unang wika ng isang bata. Ang unang wika ay HINDI Tagalog, kundi kung anuman ang wikang sinasalita ng mga magulang niya (Ilokano, Bisaya, Chavacano, etc). Subalit dahil sa kolonyal na mentalidad ng karamihan sa atin (at dahil na rin nga sa kulturang nabuo ng mga Kano sa atin) bawat magulang ay nag-aasam na sana ang kanilang anak ay maging mahusay sa paggamit ng Ingles. Delikado ito, dahil gaya ng sabi ni Dr. Martin (2008) “The first set of myths has to do with English in the Philippines. There is a prevailing belief that if you don’t know English, you simply don’t know!” Sa artikulong nailathala sa Philippine Daily Inquirer, giit ni Dr. Martin na ang isa sa malaking kultura (at problema) na ating nabuo. Akala natin, porket hindi marunong mag-ingles ang isang tao, ay bobo na s’ya.

Hindi ko kilala ang pamilya ni James Soriano, pero sa tingin ko, ito ang pagiisip na mayroon ang kanyang magulang (o pwede rin namang may lahing Kano sila) . At nakakaawang bata si James dahil hindi s’ya nabigyan ng pagkakataon na aralin, lasapin, at mahalin ang wikang sinasalita ng mga taong nakapaligid sa kanya. Dahil dito, magiging mahirap para sa kanya ang intindihin at matutunan ang kulturang nakapaloob sa isipan, damdamin, at kaluluwa ng mga Pilipinong “naglilingkod” sa kanya.

S’ya nga pala, propesor sa Ateneo de Manila si Dr. Martin. Sana ay maging guro s’ya ni G. Soriano upang matutunan n’ya kung ano mang ang sinusulat ko dito.

4. Ang Wika at Dunong

Gaya ng nabanggit sa itaas, sa aking pagkakaalam, wala pang pag-aaral ang nagpapatunay na ang wika ay may direktang relasyon o epekto sa utak at katalinuhan ng isang tao. Maaaring maraming matatalinong tao ang magaling sa Ingles, subalit hindi ibig sabihin nito na kapag magaling kang mag-Ingles ay matalino ka. Sa Logic 101, natutunan nating ito’y isang malaking Fallacy (pwedeng False Dilemma o False Cause). Ergo, hindi dahil magaling ang Ingles ni James Soriano sa kanyang sinulat ay matalino s’ya.

This is the reason why I think we should stop bullying or cursing Mr. Soriano, he’s not that intelligent and his write-up is merely an opinion from a mind-set downplayed by a language. Moreover, we have to be careful with playing “ultra-nationalistic” because before we know it, we might be starting to think like him (the other way around) i.e. that English is the language of the elitist, the bad people, etc.

Instead of wasting time ranting and raging in the internet, causing more flame wars, let’s pause for a while and reflect. Think (in whatever language you are comfortable thinking) and realize what needs to be realized…

…like REAL LEARNED INDIVIDUALS…

References:

Baker, C. (2006). Foundations of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism. New York: Multilingual Matters Ltd.

Hertz-Lazarowitz, R. et.al. (2008). From ethnic segregation to bilingual education: What can bilingual education do for the future of the Israeli Society?. Retrieved from: http://www.jceps.com/PDFs/6-2-08.pdf

Martin, I.P. (3 March 2008). Myths about languages in the Philippines. The Philippine Daily Inquirer

In a station upon a MetroTren*

The apparition of these feces in the crowd;
Ferals on a tic, tac, toe.




*pasintabi kay Ezra Pound

Anatomy of a Fan

When the die-hard Bieber fans learned about his flirtations and public display of affection with fellow teenage artist Selena Gomez, they acted violently to the extent of cursing Selena (as if Selena stole Bieber from them, and as if Bieber would even mind them)

When Lady Gaga was accused of being a member of the illuminati and is a "messenger" of cultic messages, her die hard fans were quick to respond and deny the claim.

When images of Jesus (or should I say Catholic faith) were "desecrated", well, what do you expect? Devotees shamelessly and barbarically act to denounce it (as if they did not learn anything from the teachings of Jesus).

I am in no position to talk about religion as I am a sinner and never a saint. But just like what I have mentioned in Kay's Blog (Amvagueities), I think the root of all problem is...well...RELIGION itself.

If I am not mistaken, I don't think Jesus made mention about religion as the way to salvation (unless of course we treat the personal pronouns "I" and "me" in John 14:6, which refers to Jesus, as "religion")

The recent controversial Kulo exhibit at the Cultural Center of the Philippines proved a lot of facts about Filipinos in relation to thinking, culture, beliefs, temperament, among others. So many that I will just try to present them as briefly and clearly as I can in this post.

1. The Filipino and the Art of Thinking


Noynoy is correct when he said that there is no absolute freedom. The artists cannot expect the people to accept their art, but in the same way, the people do not have the right to destroy other people's work just because they don't like it. (If liking and disliking is easy as a push of that button, then think again, because reality is beyond Facebook.) M. Cruz's creation could be really offensive, but what's the difference with what other people did by vandalizing and trying to set the exhibit on fire (to no avail)? From these series of events, we realize how Filipinos think: impulsive and critical (as in skeptic) rather than meditative and analytical. I admit that my initial reaction was negative as well, and it took a lot of discussions via text with Kay for me to realize a number of things. (Thus, the late post.)

2. The Filipino and the Art of Appreciating Art

"Art can be beautiful it can be ugly...If it's always good, it's propaganda"-Prof. Jose Alberto Tanedo, UP College of Fine Arts (Prof. Tanedo on Art)

I think Prof. Tanedo said it clear enough: we cannot just have everything beautiful, simply because this world is a world of perspectives. What's beautiful to me may not be beautiful to you, and what's morally upright to you may not be morally upright to me. I think Filipinos are locked in the idea that Art is "beautiful". Let's remind ourselves that the Spoliarium is never "beautiful". It's horrendous, in fact. But today, we see it as an art worthy of national praise. I like the last part of Prof Tanedo's statement. True enough, if everything given to us appears beautiful and good, then that's dangerous. Even Jesus told His disciples that the tasks ahead are never smooth. (Matthew 24:9). Bottom line is that Jesus never said that our lives in this world will be full of happiness and beauty. It only becomes beautiful once we have accepted him us our Lord and Savior and begin to see bad things as good things. I am not an Art Scholar or an Art Critique, but I guess we have to go back to basics, for someone to say that something is beautiful, he/she has to explain and rationalize. Beauty is relative.

3. The Filipino and the Art of Overacting

Whatever it is that came into the minds of the vandals, and Dr. Chua when he said, "Hindi gawa ng Pilipino yan! Gawa yan ng Demonyo!" I think it's plain overacting. I believe the reason of CCP for putting up an open forum is to be able to open up ideas and clarify issues (and not begin a shouting match). Sadly, even the most professionals of professionals return to savagery because of emotional imbalance leading to what we commonly know as Overacting. A Black Nazarene devotee even ranted something unchristian because of her overacting, "Hindi namin sya mapapatawad...isa itong kabastusan sa aming...replica"  (See: CCP shuts down Kulo) I strongly suggest that she reviews the Bible as it teaches the most basic act of "forgiving". Most of us thinks that because we devoutly do what we traditionally do, God favors us. We forget that it's not about religion, it's about relationship with Jesus. She said it herself...it's a...well....REPLICA. 

4. The Filipino and the Art of Forgetting

I'd like to end this lengthy blog with a reminder: Exodus 20:4 "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below." We seem to have forgotten this 2nd commandment from God. Aren't we supposed to be worshipping Jesus and not His "replicas"? So what if a "good for nothing" artist lambasts the replica, does it destroy your faith? Does it destroy your God? If yes, check your faith. The last time I checked, Jesus is in my heart...not in CCP...and never in your altars.

***

Mideo Cruz's Politeismo reflects Filipino culture as spelled out by the Spaniards (and even before they came). It vividly exposes how POLYTHEISTIC we are (i.e. worshipping so many gods, from FPJ to Mickey Mouse to Obama and his U.S.A.to Bieber to Gaga.) We have gone gaga over gags.

The effects and controversies it reaped reflect how shallow the Filipino faith is...or shall i say fanaticism?

Paddling against the waves

The recent national pride brought about by the victorious stint of the Philippine Dragot Boat Team at Tampa Bay, Florida led to a number of realizations from various angles.

From the perspective of Philippine traditional politics, this Sports event proved how problematic our system for supporting and developing sports is. This morning, while watching the news, I was able to grasp a little bit of information as to why the government did not recognize the Philippine Dragon Boat Team. Mr. Ricardo Garcia of PSC mentioned that PDBT is not affiliated or registered to the Philippine Sports Commission, which makes them an “illegitimate” Philippine team. Being illegitimate, they are also stripped off from the benefits and support provided by the Philippine government. R.A. 9064 (An Act Granting cash and Other non-Monetary Benefits and Incentives to National Athletes, Coaches, and Trainers, Appropriating funds therefor and for other Purposes) defines that a “National Athlete are Filipino citizens, members of the national training pool, recognized and accredited by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and who have represented the country in international competitions”  

(See: http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2001/ra_9064_2001.html)

It’ s just disheartening to realize that the reason why we don’t win in international sports events like the Olympics is not because we lack the skills and the talents, but simply because of papers and of politics. I don’t know what exactly is the conflict between the two parties, but I’m quite sure that this happened because both parties did not reach a clear understanding between and among them.

On the brighter side, from the perspective of athleticism, the Philippine Paddlers proved the cliché “If there’s a will, there’s a way”. A few months ago, they were featured in a news program showing how miserable their status is. The picture of Philippine athletes cooking and eating fish along Manila Bay is more than grotesque, it’s unimaginable. However, with the degree of passion and devotion they have for their craft, these men and women did not let such a circumstance to extinguish the fire in them. Thankfully private citizens and private companies joined hands to support their financial needs in joining the said sports event. Similar to the Philippine Azkals and Philippine Volcanoes, we have proven that even without the presence of the Philippine government, we can really produce quality athletes. Of course, private companies are capitalists in nature, they are helping because it’s a way of marketing and making themselves known, thus increasing sales. But for me, that’s beyond the point. What’s important is that they were able to support and revive our comatosed athletes.

Finally, from the perspective of nationalism and patriotism, Filipinos in Florida proved that despite being away from the country, they still embody the spirit of Bayanihan within them. Bayanihan is possibly more than cultural, it could be biological or spiritual. It is heart-warming and motivating to learn that Filipinos chipped in to support our athletes. It’s something to be proud about.

The Philippine Dragon Boat Team bagged 5 gold medals, but it was never a smooth sailing. They obviously paddled against strong waves discouragements and a tsunami of politicking. But more than the gold, they have brought home the sense of pride, perseverance, and passion. That even without the presence of government support, we can still win. We can still survive.

However, let me be clear that I am not tolerating the corrupt practices of the government. In one way or another, the President Aquino should do something about the PSC, probably ratify or modify the mechanism for registering or affiliating a team or be more open to possibilities and partnerships. Whatever moves they plan to do, they must act soon.

In the end, the lesson that Filipinos should learn from this is John F. Kennedy’s famous lines, "Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country"

Manny Pacquiao, Efren “Bata” Reyes, Wesley So, Paeng Nepomuceno, Lydia de Vega, Elma Muros, the Philippine Dragon Boat Team, and Philippine Azkals, and many more did their part. Let’s do ours too.

Ang Wika at ang Pagtuklas sa Sarili

Nagsimula ang lahat sa suhestiyon ni Kay na panuorin ko ang dokyu ni Howie Severino na pinamagatang "Itinaga sa Bato". Ngayon, nasa proseso ako ng pag-aaral at pagbabasa-basa tungkol sa BAYBAYIN. Wala pa akong gaanong alam dito, kung kaya't hindi ako susubok na magpakita ng anumang teorya o pananaw sa katunayan o kabulaanan nito (dahil ito ang isa sa mga nagiging debate ngayon)


Sa dami ng mga nabuksang pinto ngayong gabi sa aking panonood, sisikapin kong isulat ng may kaayusan ang mga ideyang naisip ko at naisip ni Kay (dahil nagchachat kami habang pinapanood ko ito). 


1. Ang Baybayin sa Akademikong Perspektibo


Mula sa perspektibo ng pag-aaral at pagtuturo ng wika (language learning and language teaching), nakakita ako ng liwanag na maaring mag-ambag sa pagpapalaganap ng Mother-Tongue Based Multilingual Education Program (MTB-MLE). Mula noong matutunan ko ang MTB-MLE at itinuro ito sa ilang mag-aaral din ng wika, pinanghawakan ko na ang mga positibong aspeto ng pagpapalago ng sariling wika o Mother Tongue. Naniniwala akong ang Wika ay repleksyon at representasyon ng kultura at ang pagkatuto ng sariling wika at ng sariling kultura ay isang mahalagang salik hindi lamang sa pagpapaunlad ng sarili kundi pati na rin sa pagpapaunlad ng buong bansa. Kung ang bawat bata ay magkakaroon ng kaalaman at kasanayan sa sarili niyang wika, magagawa niyang maintindihan ang mga bagay na nakapaligid sa kanya. Mapayayabong nito ang kanyang pag-iisip (cognitive at metacognitive) na siya rin namang magdudulot ng kanyang kakayanang maintindihan ang iba pang bagay at aralin na nanggagaling sa ibang mga bansa o kultura. Ang pagbuhay sa Baybaying Pilipino (o Alibata) ay isang ambisyosong pangarap at pagkilos na siguradong tataasan ng kilay ng ilan sa ating mga kababayan. Anu't ano pa man ang kahinatnan nito, isa itong magandang simula. Panahon na upang magising ang kamalayan ng kabataang Pilipino sa pinanggalingan ng kanyang lahi!


2. Ang Baybayin bilang tabak na wawasak sa Kolonyal na pag-iisip

"...natutuwa ako at pinagmamalaki ko na...before the Spaniards came kumakain na kame sa imported na pinggan...at hindi sa bao o dahon ng saging lamang..." Dr. Lim

Oo nga naman. Kanino ba nanggaling ang kaisipan na bago dumating ang mga Kastila, tayo'y walang sibilisasyon? Na tayo'y mangmang? Syempre, sa Kastila. Ang pagsulat ng Kasaysayan mula sa perspektibo ng mga mananakop ay isang napakaepektibong paraan ng pagpapanatili ng kanilang paghahari. "O..kung di kami dumating edi hanggang ngayon ay mangmang kayo???" Ito ang kaisipang dala ng bawat tekstong inilimbag ng mga Kanluranin. Sa pamamagitan nito, tila nagkaroon pa ng utang na loob ang mga Pilipino sa kanila. Samantalang sila itong nagnakaw at naglaspag sa ating mga yaman!


Ang paglaganap ng Baybayin (lalo na kung ito'y maisasama sa aralin ng mga estudyante sa elementarya o hayskul) ay isang matibay na armas sa pagbuwag ng Sikolohiyang Kolonyal sa bawat Pilipino. Aminin man natin o hindi, malaki ang epekto nito sa pagpapaunlad ng indibidwal sa kanyang sarili at sa pagunlad ng buong bayan. Ang mentalidad na maka-kanluran ay isang malaking hadlang sa ating pag-sulong sa kaunlaran. Tandaan nating HINDI KANLURAN ANG SUSI SA KAUNLARAN.


3. Ang Baybayin sa Pananaw ng Literatura


Hindi ako mag-aaral ng literatura (bagamat may ilan akong literature subject noong kolehiyo) kaya't nagtanong ako kay Kay kung ano ang kanyang masasabi sa Baybayin mula sa perspektibo ng literatura. Simple at deretso ang kanyang sagot: 

"...basta ako naniniwala ko sa oral tradition di na kelangan ng taga sa bato para patunayan na me sibilisasyon tayo..."

Oo nga naman. Yun lamang katotohanan na umabot sa ating panahon ang mga kwento ng ating mga ninuno ay sapat na upang patunayan na may sarili tayong sibilisasyon bago pa man dumating ang mga kastilang mananakop. 

Naniniwala ako sa sinabi ni Kay. Pero hindi rin naman natin maitatangging ang pagsulat ay isang napakahalagang salik ng pagpapanatili ng ating kultura, literatura, at wika. 

4. Ang Baybayin at ang mga posibleng lagim nito...

Inihuli ko ito hindi upang basagin ang mga nauna kong isinulat, kundi upang maging bukas sa mga posibilidad. Maganda ang pagkilos na ginagawa ng grupong nasa likod ng Baybayin. Subalit hindi ko maalis na mag-alala at malungkot. 

Una, halatang ito'y pagkilos ng pribadong sektor. Nakalulungkot isipin na kailangang mauna pa ang pribadong grupo sa pagsaliksik ng mga ganitong bagay. Alam naman natin ang epekto nito: limitado lamang ang maaaring makaalam at matuto nito, dahil kung pribado ito, pihadong may bayad ito. (Hal. sa Disyembre ay bubuksan ang "Mind Museum" sa Taguig. Maganda ito, pero yun nga lang, pribado ito at malamang na mahal ang bayad para makapasok. Ang mga batang walang pera...wala ring pagkakataong matuto.)

Pangalawa, nakakatakot na baka ang paglaganap nito'y ningas kugon lamang, gaya halimbawa ng AKO MISMO na tila hanging mabilis na nakapanghikayat ng kabataan...at tila hangin din na biglang naglaho. Mahilig ang mga Pilipino sa ganito: mga magandang simulain...pero di kayang panindigan o tapusin. 

Pangatlo, baka dahil nga pribadong sektor ang kumikilos ay maging komersyalisado masyado ang adbokasiyang ito at matabunan ang mas malalim at mas mahalagang hangarin ng pagtuklas at pagkatuto.

Heto ang link sa Youtube ng Dokyu ni Howie:

PART 1

PART 2