Removing the Filipino subject

It's common knowledge that I went to University of the Philippines-Cebu for my undergraduate degree. Cliché as it may seem, the university that spelled Philippines in its name didn't include a subject to Filipino. Sounds ironic, right? Back then, I couldn't relate to my other friends who went to other universities because the subject wasn't simply offered then. Rather, we had Literature 1 which was titled as Philippine Literature. But the medium as how it was taught was not in Filipino but in English. What made it different was the selections, poems, stories, and other pieces were in Filipino. There were also English pieces by Filipino authors as well. Did it make me less of a Filipino? Not really. Did it diminish my skill in speaking in Filipino? I don't think so.

Up to today, I communicate fairly well with my Manila colleagues and family using the national language. I have to admit though, that it takes practice to master it. I guess that works the same for all other languages. My point is, it didn't take me another course in college for me to be well-versed in Filipino – I learned everything by myself.

The basic education system offers a blow-by-blow teaching of how the language should be spoken and written. I dreaded my Filipino subjects then; it was harder than I imagined it would be. We had two books for the Filipino subject: One for grammar, the other for literature. As I progressed, the ins and outs of the language because difficult but worth it.

All I'm saying is, let's not make a big fuss about removing the Filipino language in college. It wasn't even mandatory for UP in the first place. What we should focus on instead is improving the basic education Filipino subject. Elementary, High school and senior high teachers should bring their game up so that the language will never be forgotten. I'd like to say Filipino literature must be retained or be an elective. College students need the liberation they deserve.

What's wrong with taking another language as an elective anyway? Those with shallow minds will not understand that learning a new language might be useful in the future. Today, the times are telling us that Mandarin will be the next lingua franca and we can see why as we go around our own tourist spots. You can thank me later.

Being a true Filipino is not measured by the way you speak or how good you are in the language. It takes guts and heart to truly understand what we are fighting for in this country. Color and looks will not even define it. The true Filipino knows that it takes sacrifice for us to rise above the many trials that we are facing. The true Filipino knows that back then we already had our own civilization and it was erased by the Spaniards. Let's not be petty. Dwelling on small things takes so much time and effort.