PH’s first ‘Bahay-Wika’ opens in Bataan

ABUCAY, Bataan — The first “Bahay-Wika” in the country aimed at saving endangered Philippine languages was opened on Thursday at an Aeta village adjacent to the slope of Mount Natib in Barangay Bangkal here.

Mayor Liberato Santiago Jr. and national artist Virgilio Almario, chairman of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, led the opening of the building that will also serve as classroom for Aeta children to learn the Ayta Magbukun language.

Aeta children, five years old and below, will be taught the language.

Aeta elders performed the “Riwal ng Pagpapasalamat” where they drew chicken blood while chanting some sort of a thanksgiving prayer. They then went around the building as if driving away bad spirits.

Gladys Gulisan, 23, one of the three Aeta teachers in Bahay-Wika, taught some forms of greetings in their language including “Aypara” or “kumusta ka” (how are you); “Yaraw wa awlu” or “magandang araw” (good day) and the answer — “Yaraw matan” or “ayos naman” (its fine).

“One achievement of a lifetime that we can never set aside just like that,” Santiago said in describing the project.

He said some people may find the project a small thing but it is the little things mean a lot.

“Pero kapag pinagmalasakitan ang isang tribu at maiangat ang kalagayan nila sa buhay sa pagtutulungan, wala akong nakikitang dahilan para hindi matupad ito (But when concern is shown to one tribe to uplift its living condition through cooperation, I do not see any reason that it cannot be fulfilled),” the mayor said.

Santiago said he learned that the Ayta Magbukun language is endangered.

“Ang lenguahe ay parte ng kultura na dapat hindi mawala o malimutan. Salamat kay national artist Almario. Napakagandang proyekto na hindi dapat kalimutan (The language is part of a culture that should not be lost or forgotten. Thanks to national artist Almario. It’s a great project that should not be forgotten),” he said.

He said he sympathizes with the natives. “Kitang-kita na kailangan nila ang pagkalinga kaya dapat ibigay ang pagkalinga, pagmamahal sa kanila at hindi dapat ipagwalang-bahala (It is obvious that they need care so they should be given care, love and should not be ignored),” Santiago said.

Almario, also chair of the Komisyon ng Wikang Pilipino, said based on their survey, there are 131 languages in the Philippines.

“Sa bilang na ito may nakita na kaming 30 na nanganganib mamatay o maglaho kaya dapat na tulungan.
Ang wika ay isang bodega ng karunungan na nandiyan ang kasaysayan, karanasan at tradisyon (In this number, we have seen 30 languages which are at risk of dying or disappearing. The language is storage of wisdom that contains history, experience and tradition),” he said.

Almario said language should be preserved and transferred to the children.

“Experimento ito na unang-una sa buong Pilipinas. Meron sa ibang bansa pero sa buong Pilipinas, ngayon pa lamang (This is first ever experiment in the Philippines. There are in other countries, but in the entire Philippines, it is only now),” Almario said of the Bahay-Wika in the Aeta village.

He said they were hoping it will succeed so as to catch the attention of many people who might be able to help preserve other endangered languages.

Romeo Gulisan, Bangkal barangay chairman, lamented that the children no longer speak their language.

“Mga bata hindi na alam. Salamat sa nakaisip ng Bahay Wika. Ma-preserve na namin uli sa mga bata ang aming salita dahil nawawala unti-unti (The children no longer know the language. Thank you for those who thought of Bahay Wika. We would be able to preserve to our children the language which is gradually disappearing),” the village head said.

The provincial government headed by Governor Albert Garcia fully supported the project by funding the construction of the building.

Aetas of the Magbukun tribe are found in the towns of Abucay, Orion, Limay, and Mariveles. There are more than 500 natives in Bangkal. (Ernie Esconde/PNA)