MANILA – The Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) is offering to help teachers nationwide promote the culture of reading the writings of Philippine heroes.
"We're ready to guide them and provide reading materials they can use," said KWF senior language researcher Roy Rene Cagalingan who is in charge of the "Onlayn Talakayan sa mga Babasahin sa Kulturang Filipino" project that promotes such culture and discussions on the heroes' literary work.
He said KWF has the Aklat ng Bayan collection of publications that includes several heroes' writings which the agency may provide to teachers so they can, in turn, encourage people to read and discuss these materials.
"We want such reading culture to spread," he said.
The Onlayn Talakayan sa mga Babasahin sa Kulturang Filipino project is aligned with KWF's bid to help promote, preserve, and develop Philippine languages and culture.
Such a project features free publicly accessible online sessions tackling heroes' literary work.
KWF plans to hold the sessions every quarter of the year, noted Cagalingan.
For the project's first session scheduled this April, he said KWF decided to feature "Pahayag" by Philippine hero Emilio Jacinto.
The Philippines is commemorating Jacinto's 122nd death anniversary this month.
Jacinto was a high-ranking officer of the Philippine Revolution that sought the country's independence from Spain.
Revolutionary materials he wrote advocate love of country.
Cagalingan said KWF will announce, as soon as possible, schedules for the project's forthcoming sessions and registration periods for these.
He is also not discounting the possibility of KWF featuring, in the project's second session, the work of either national hero Dr. Jose Rizal or Gen. Antonio Luna, another officer of the Philippine Revolution.
Rizal was born on June 19, 1861 while Luna died on June 5, 1899.
Around 214 people registered for the project's "Pahayag" session, Cagalingan noted.
"Most of that session's registrants are teachers and students," he said.
He is urging people to register for forthcoming sessions of the project so they can learn about writings that the KWF will feature in these events. (PNA)
