Filipino language, culture platform launches online; mobile app in dev't
MANILA, Philippines — A free Filipino language and culture platform has launched online as a web application to help those eager to learn Filipino and Philippine culture.
Called Tarana, taken from Filipino term "tara na" which means "let's go," the platform is mainly built for Filipinos abroad and heritage learners but is open to all interested.
The platform was founded by Filipino-American management consultant and entrepreneur Jeff Lontoc, inspired his own experience reconnecting with his Filipino identity but realizing learning the Filipino language wasn't enough.
Lontoc told Philstar.com that there are more than four million Filipinos in the United States, however, three out of four second-generation and one in 10 Filipino-Americans cannot confidently speak Filipino.
He also pointed out that Filipino or Tagalog is among the most-requested languages on the popular language-learning platform Duolingo, however, neither is offered until now.
"There's real demand, and very little built specifically for this community. That's what Tarana is here to change," Lontoc said.
The entrepreneur noted how there are numerous applications to learn a language, but it is quite different learning a language with a culture so attached to it.
"When you add culture, you stop translating words and start understanding the soul behind them. That is what Tarana is built for," he said, pointing out how other platforms treat language as content and lacking cultural context. "There is a real difference between having Filipino content and being built for Filipinos. Tarana is the second one."
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Tarana offers free access to daily lessons, flashcards and pronunciation practice. Artificial intelligence is used to adapt lessons at a user's pace, focus on weak spots, and keep progress moving without the need to check settings.
Cultural lessons include the reason why "po" and "opo" is used, where adobo comes from, and the ins and outs of Filipino hospitality.
A monthly pro subscription goes for $14.99 (around P900) while a yearly pro subscription is available for $119.99 (just over P7,000), where each month would come out at $10 (P600).
Members with professional ad-free subscriptions can have unlimited lessons, adaptive smart review, scenario cheat sheets, find nearby Filipino places, and access to regional languages Cebuano, Ilocano, and Kapampangan (with more to come).
There is also a Founding Member lifetime subscription that costs $249.99 (around P15,000), which allows for early access to any new features and ambassadorship to help expand Tarana globally.
One feature in development is a Tutor Marketplace where interested educators can help teach Filipino culture in one-on-one sessions with training, certification, and the freedom to teach from anywhere.
The platform soft-launched earlier this month as a web application though mobile app versions will be released soon on the Apple App Store and Google Play, opening the doors for Apple and Android users.
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