Of course, that shrine marker in Talisay City should be in Cebuano. It's a historical event - the landing of the Americans in 1945 - and the more it should be depicted in local language (not dialect, by the way). Kudos therefore to the honorable councilors for deciding - despite some oppositions - to spell out the marker's text in the language of Humabon. Although patriotism cannot be equated with love of one's native tongue, that decision suggests pride of our cultural heritage of which the Cebuano language is a major aspect.
As pointed out by one councilor, that move could disqualify the city's liberation park from being declared a national shrine because the National Historical Institute wants the marker text to be in Tagalog. So what? Let them splash Tagalog in other shrines in the country but not here in Cebu. Let them declare other spots as national shrines if they want to. Mere declaration after all cannot enhance the significance of the event being commemorated.
What took place in that city on March 26, 1945 started the campaign to liberate the entire province from the Japanese. That day can therefore be called "liberation day" for all Cebuanos. How come we are not free even today to express our sentiments in the language of our forefathers?
It's the imperial Manila syndrome again. From governance to what-have-you the maharajahs of that city want to lord it over the provincianos in the entire archipelago. Take the language of instruction. Have not Tagalog educators connived to impose the use of Tagalog in schools? There's no law saying Tagalog is our national language, yet they call that language "Filipino" to give it a semblance of country-wide acceptance. And all of us non-Tagalog speakers have been docile victims of what can be called linguistic terrorism in schools. How long shall we endure this?
There's a bill filed by Congressman Eddie Gullas to rescue our children and future generations from blundering through elementary and high school with Tagalog as teaching-learning medium. If only Congress could see the urgency of this bill, the quality of basic education can be greatly improved.
There's a move too to reengineer the structure of our government from presidential to federal. If only our leaders can see the benefits of empowering regional units, imperial Manila can no longer call the shots on the affairs of local governments. Then the latter can go full blast on their socio-economic development thrusts. Then there would be no agency to dictate how we label our historical happenings. And indigenous language and culture can take deeper roots and enflower.
In Cebu contemporary events point to a favorable climate towards cultural awakening. Governor Gwen Garcia for one has been upbeat in boosting cultural appreciation through town-based festivals focusing on ethnic performing arts. She has also commissioned a group of writers and researchers to dig into the history and development of local governments with the aim of publishing comprehensive accounts on this subject.
In the academe, a number of universities are forging ahead with their own culture related initiatives. The University of the Visayas for instance has its award-winning students chorale which has been making waves in local and international fora with its repertoire of indigenous songs. Then there's Jose R. Gullas' "Kinaiyang Sugbuanon" a bi-annual extravaganza of Cebuano classical songs, dances, and snippets of traditional rituals and practices.
In "Kinaiya" local composers who used to thrill Cebuanos with their "honi sa gugma" are given their long delayed accolades as their master pieces are performed and awards given. Additionally, there are reenactments of age-old Cebuano rituals such as those involving marriage, birth, death, and other events, all artistically presented for information and entertainment.
These projects have one common objective: To showcase traditional Cebuano way of life for the young generation to appreciate and be proud of. "This is who we are", is the message put across to the audience of these performances. The hope is that wherever they would find themselves in the future the young will always remember the roots of their forefathers and so remembering will remain faithful to the time-honored ideals of the latter.
That is why in marking the significant happenings in our towns and cities the language of our ancestors should be used. More than hubris, this gesture is a stirring statement that we love our cultural heritage, and that we cherish our native tongue - "ang pinulongan nga atong namat-ag kahayag."
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Email: edioko_uv@yahoo.com