Celebrating Filipino Literature: KWF launches ‘Aklat ng Bayan’

by: John Lester Naguna

The Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino or KWF (Commission on the Filipino Language) featured eight books created by various local artists in the field of literature under “Aklat ng Bayan” on September 26, 2024 at Watson Building, 1610 Jose P. Laurel Street, San Miguel, Manila City.

Atty. Marites A. Barrios-Taran, Director General of KWF, opened the ceremony and emphasized that the yearly Aklat ng Bayan launching is an important tribute to the works of local writers and editors.

This event is an opportunity to hear the views and experiences of authors and editors on the printing of wisdom in various disciplines using Filipino as the language of writing and research. She also urged everyone to continue enriching the consciousness of Filipino readers.

Meanwhile, KWF President Commissioner Arthur Casanova, PhD, shared his desire and ambition to print more trilingual dictionaries, as well as dictionaries in social studies and other fields.

According to Casanova, this is “a step towards greater intellectualization of the national language.”

Until now, the national language, Filipino, is still yet to be an intellectualized language—it cannot be used in all fields and disciplines. One cannot acquire a university degree in BS – Filipino without using the English language as math and social science subjects are not available in Filipino.

These efforts of KWF, publishing the Aklat ng Bayan books under the long-term Library of Knowledge program, creating and printing more Filipino dictionaries, strengthen the intellectualization agenda as terminology development and practical lexicography are crucial in language intellectualization.

KWF President Casanova also said he wants a future where teachers and professors can use Filipino as a medium of instruction, as well as enrich all other languages in the Philippines. (Hindi umano nawawala sa kanyang puso na magamit ng mga guro at propesor ang Filipino bilang midyum ng pagtuturo, gayundin ang pagpapayaman ng iba’t ibang wika sa Pilipinas.)

At present, The Philippines has approximately 130 to 195 languages, including the national language.

He also emphasized the importance of gathering people’s wisdom, and artistic and cultural works to contribute to the preservation of Filipino culture (Binigyang-diin ni Casanova ang kahalagahan ng pangangalap ng karunungang bayan, at mga akdang sining at pang-kultura upang mag-ambag sa preserbasyon ng kulturang Pilipino).

The event included the book signing of new books by respected writers and editors, featuring eight books:

Ang Berdugo at mga Piling Kwento, written by Honoré de Balzac, translated by Aileen V. Sicat
Maka-Pilipinong Pananaw: Mga Lapit sa Pagtuturo ng Panitikan, written by Mr. Alvin B. Yapan
Kalipunan ng mga Akdang Dulang Mindanawon, written by Mr. Arthur P. Casanova, PhD, Felimon B. Blanco, Rene V. Carbayas, Angelito G. Flores, Arnel M. Mordoquio, Sunnie C. Noel, at Pepito P. Sumayan, edited by Arthur P. Casanova

Other featured books are:

Bokabularyong Traylingguwal: English-Hiligaynon-Filipino, by lexicographer Agnes Dimzon, edited by Alain Dimzon
Tandang Bato: Ang mga Manunulat sa Aking Panahon, written by Efren R. Abueg
Pagdiriwang sa Haraya: Ang Panulaan at mga Aklat ng Impormasyon para sa mga Bata, written by Eugene Y. Evasco
Mga Meditasyon hinggil sa Unang Pilosopiya, by René Descartes, translated by Emmanuel C. de Leon
Margosatubig, ni Ramon L. Muzones, translated by Agnes Dimzon

These books largely contribute not only to the ever-growing Filipino literature, but also in the grand agenda of intellectualization of the national language. The translation of René Descartes to the Filipino language and the Trilingual Vocabulary are the most notable achievements of the launch.

While much has to be done toward promoting the use of Filipino in the various spheres of society and dominions of power, this yearly Aklat ng Bayan shows that the Filipino language is indeed intellectualized in one and only domain, literature.

It highlights the support from organizations and publications for the development of Filipino literature, the substantial writers in Filipino literature, and celebrates them. (JLN/PIA-NCR)