ABUCAY, Bataan: The Bahay Wika initiative that focuses in the preservation of the indigenous Ayta Magbukun language in an upland village here won the “Best Institutionalized Culture and Arts Program’’ in the country under the provincial level.
The prestigious recognition was given by the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) Pearl Awards 2024 held in Koronadal City, South Cotabato Thursday, October 10.
Danica Lolita Tigas, OIC provincial tourism officer, and other tourism officers of Bataan, accepted the award.
Located in Barangay Bangkal adjacent to the slope of Mount Natib, Bahay Wika is considered as the only language center of its kind in the Philippines that is dedicated to safeguarding and promoting what used to be a dying language.
The Bahay Wika was opened on September 27, 2018 led by chair Virgilio Almario of the Komisyon ng Wikang Pilipino.
Melody Parrera, 32, one of two teachers in the Bahay Wika, led Aeta children in prayers, identified colors and parts of human body and sang in the Magbukun language. She said she has been teaching the Magbukun language for four years.
Classes begin at 8:00 until 11:00 in the morning from Monday to Friday. Admitted in the Magbukun language school are Aeta children aged 2 to 4 years. Children will only be admitted to daycare after passing 10 months of language training at the Bahay Wika.
“Maraming salamat sa Komisyon ng Wikang Pilipino na bumuo ng Bahay Wika, provincial government office, Abucay municipal government, tourism, cultural heritage foundation at sa
iba pang tumutulong sa amin,” Parrera said in Filipino and then translated it in Magbukun language.
The Bahay Wika program has the full support from the provincial government headed by Gov. Jose Enrique Garcia 3rd and the municipality of Abucay under Mayor Robin Tagle. (30)
