"Language cannot be legislated.”

This was the pronouncement of Dr. Ruth Elynia Mabanglo in a seminar titled “Panayam sa Wika 2010” held at the Rizal Conference Hall of the University of Santo Tomas (UST). The seminar is deemed very relevant in light of a university-wide English proficiency campaign which will soon be implemented in UST.

UST Rector Fr. Rolando de la Rosa, O.P. green lighted the proposal in answer to a report about the declining competence of the Thomasian community in the use of the English language. The Rector challenged Faculty of Arts and Letters Dean Michael Anthony Vasco to lead the said campaign.

Complaints from employers

The said policy roots from complaints of employers about graduates of UST having problematic communication skills. Fr. De la Rosa said that most of the time, UST graduates are competent in their line of work, but are not very articulate, especially in the English language. This prevents them from getting promotion in their jobs to higher positions.

Professors from the Faculty of Arts and Letters (Artlets) had been instructed by Dean Vasco to be vigilant about the campaign and to strictly implement the use of English at a medium of instruction and communication.

The policy requires that English will not only be used in the classroom for academic purposes, but also in extra-curricular activities including plays, scripts, projects and productions. The policy however will not affect Filipino and foreign language classes.

Artlets was handpicked to try out the policy mainly because a lot of courses in the said faculty require the use of the English language. However, many surmise that the Artlets community was chosen because its students are known to be critical of policies like this, and that if the Artlets community would openly embrace the policy, other colleges would follow suit.

Yes to suggestion, no to command

Last Aug. 7, the Arts and Letters Student Council (ABSC) has spoken and released a statement, which in gist said that if the said policy is a mere suggestion that would be a step in improving the use of the English language, the student body by all means will support it — for as long as there will also be a parallel campaign to promote the intellectualization of the use of Filipino.

However, ABSC clarified that if the policy is a straight-out command, without a parallel Filipino campaign, they are opposing it as it is against the right of the students to speak freely in a language that they are comfortable in.

The ABSC stand further states: “Maganda ang maging mahusay sa pagsasalita gamit ang wikang banyaga. Ang hindi tama ay ang pagiging mahusay na sa paggamit ng wikang banyaga habang hindi pa mahusay sa paggamit ng sariling wika, at kapag sinabing mahusay, ang ibig sabihin nito ay nagagawa na ng mga Pilipinong mag-aaral ng Pakultad ng Sining at Panitik na gamitin ang wikang Filipino sa intelektuwal na pamamaraan sa pagsulat, at sa kahit na anong diskurso o pakikipagtalastasan.”

Voice of the students

Giannina Therese Chua, production manager for the upcoming play of Artistang Artlets says they were strongly against the policy initially. This is due to the memo that were handed them saying that they could only stage plays in English for the school year.

“Part of our thrust as an organization is the promotion of Filipino culture through our productions. We were thinking, what better way to promote Filipino culture than the use of the language itself?” Chua questions.

They were surprised though when Dean Vasco signed the approval of their script “Anatomiya ng Pag-ibig” by Allan Lopez last week. “We thought it was a dead-end case, non-negotiable. But the dean was very open to suggestions. With the help of our Asst. Dean Nancy Tabirara, we explained our side. We said that there are a lot of things that we will find very hard to express in English. We explained that we fear the policy might compromise our craft. He signed the papers. We were happy,” Chua enthuses.

Maryl Robleza and Vincent Paul Gregorio, both señor Communication Arts majors, think that the effects of such policy may not be evident now, but will be realized once they go out in the competitive real world.

On the other hand, Clarisse Gloria, another CA major, says that if she wanted to be good in English, she’ll do it on her own free will, not because she was forced to do so.

Competence vs. nationalism

The issue of nationalism cannot be separated from this policy. Historian Renato Constantino even said before: “Bansot ang kaalaman nating mga Pilipino dahil ang sistema ng ating edukasyon ay nakabatay sa mga dayuhan.”

In a report from the Varsitarian, the official student publication of UST, Fr. de la Rosa said that the campaign should not be taken as a lack of nationalism. “You can be nationalistic and at the same time, be able to express yourself very well in other languages,” De la Rosa was quoted by the student paper.

The growth or lack thereof of a language is always in the hands of its people. In this case, it is in the hands of the students of the UST Faculty of Arts and Letters whether or not they will support or fight the implementation of the English proficiency campaign.

Meanwhile we ask, isn’t that hero who compared those who do not embrace their language to a stinky fish, a UST alumnus?

Thomasians speak

The issue is not about disregarding the Fiipino language, it is the sustained fluency of Filipinos in English. The UST pilot policy is a means for this generation of Filipinos to reassert their fluency in English. I personally agree with the policy since today’s generation seems to be: a) losing the flair in English and b) easily swayed by occurrences such as the Jejemon phenomenon (that even bastardizes the native Filipino language, e.g. “poh” for po). English is a global language, and this asset of Filipinos should not wane. Even Journalism students are having a hard time writing correct English. The policy is a means to get ourselves re-acquainted with English, and there are a lot of disadvantages in the real world (especially in formal employment circles) when workers are struggling in English. – Jeremaiah Opiniano, 34, UST AB Journalism instructor

There is no doubt that AB students need to polish their English speaking skills, but to implement a policy and require all students to use English as the medium of communications is pretty harsh. I think the policy is stepping on the rights of students to express themselves in whatever language they choose especially in theatre productions. – Beverly Ann Ko, 20, 4th year AB Journalism, UST

I disagree with the policy. The policy is quite contradictory to the touches of local color which is usually heard and seen in theater performances. – Tito R. Quiling Jr., 20, 4th year AB-Literature, UST

I feel that it’s detrimental to the development of our culture and of our identity as a people. Language is the foundation of culture, it is the seed and out of it grows our meaning and purpose as a nation. By prioritizing another language (English), it is as if we are saying that we should forget who we are as a people, as The Philippines. Globalization is the enemy of culture and the downfall of national identities. It stops being about keeping up with the world when we ourselves do not know who we are. – Paul M. Bruselas, 23, 4th year AB Literature, UST

Being students of Liberal Arts, it is a must that everyone in the faculty is well-versed with and articulate in the English language. We should be masters of our art, and that is communication. – Bianca Camille Santos, 19, 4th year AB Communication Arts, UST

Master our language first before using other languages. – John Ree E. Doctor, 18, 3rd year AB Political Science, UST

I believe that it would be better if the implementation of English language as medium of communication be limited to classroom interactions only. I do not agree that English be used as a medium of communication in the theatre arts. It would be a great burden for both the writer and the audience since there are certain words and expressions which can hardly be translated to other languages. English language has its limitations especially in the world of liberalism. – Vikki Marie Gonzales, 19, 3rd year AB Behavioral Science

Speaking in English does not make us less of a Filipino. It is an opportunity to enhance our English skills which will have a positive impact on our transition from college to the work force. – John Wilxander Peralta, 18, 2nd year AB-Journalism, member, Artistang Artlets.

I have nothing against the policy, it is the implementation that I think insults Filipinos who choose to speak our own language. The people behind the policy insist that the reason behind this implementation is for global competence, but in doing so, are we not afraid to lose our identity in the process? – Glenda dela Peña, 17, 2nd year CA, liason officer, Artistang Artlets.

English should not the basis of progress and development in a society. The policy is just a manifestation that the spirit of nationalism and patriotism among Filipinos is deteriorating. – Justin L. Elizaga, 21, 4th year AB-Sociology, UST (IRIS JOY P. ABARQUEZ, KEAVY EUNICE VICENTE)