Bilingualism in the Philippine Education


Bilingualism and the Philippine Constitution

The 1986 EDSA Revolution catapulted into power the first woman president, Corazon Aquino, who restored democracy through the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines. The constitution declares Filipino as the national language and reiterates the position of English as an official language of the country. As before, both were to serve as languages of instruction. (Sugbo, 2003)

Specifically, this declaration is embodied in Article XIV, Sec. 6 and 7. The provisions are as follows:

1. Section 6. The national language of the Philippines is Filipino. As it evolves, it shall be further developed and enriched on the basis of existing Philippine and other languages.

2. Section 7. For purposes of communication and instruction, the official languages of the Philippines are Filipino and, until otherwise provided by law, English.

The above provisions provided the legal basis for the various language policies that are being implemented in the country today.

Philippine Education Policy on Bilingualism

The Department of Education Culture and Sports, consistent with the 1987 constitutional mandate, promulgated its policy on Bilingualism thru its Department Orde r No. 52, s.1987. The policy states that “Bilingual Education aims at the achievement of competence in both Filipino and English at the national level, through the teaching of both languages and their use as media of instruction at all levels.”

The goals of the Bilingual Education Policy shall be:

1. Enhanced learning through two languages to achieve quality education as called for by the 1987 Constitution;

2. The propagation of Filipino as a language of literacy;

3. The development of Filipino as a linguistic symbol of national unity and identity;

4. The cultivation and elaboration of Filipino as a language of scholarly discourse, that is to say its continuing intellectualization; and the maintenance of English as an international language for the Philippines and as a non-exclusive language of science and technology.

In 1994, Republic Act No. 7722 (Higher Education Act of 1994) was signed creating the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). This Act provides that the CHED shall be independent and separate from the DECS and shall cover both public and private institutions of higher education as well as degree-granting programs in all post-secondary educational institutions, public and private.


One of the first steps undertaken by CHED was to update the General Education Curriculum of tertiary courses leading to an initial bachelor's degree. The requirements of the new GEC are embodied in the CHED Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 59, s. 1996. Listed under miscellaneous of this CMO is its language policy which is as follows:

In consonance with the Bilingual Education Policy underlined in DECS Order No. 52, Series of 1987, the following are the guidelines vis-a-vis medium of instruction, to wit:

1. Language courses, whether Filipino or English, should be taught in that language.

2. At the discretion of the HEI, Literature subjects may be taught in Filipino, English or any other language as long as there are enough instructional materials for the same and both students and instructors/professors are competent in the language.

Courses in the Humanities and Social Sciences should preferably be taught in Filipino.

The above DECS and CHED policies on Bilingual Education aim at teaching English in all levels of school to produce highly literate and skilled workers without obstructing the growth and development of a common national language.

Today these policies has succeeded not only in generating widespread use of English as the medium of communication in government and business, but also in maintaining Filipino as the medium of communication among citizens speaking different languages.

References:

De leon, Hector, Textbook on the Philippine Constitution, Quezon City, Philippines: Rex

Printing Company, 2002.

Espiritu, Clemencia. Language Policies in the Philippines. Downloaded from

<http://www.scribd.com/doc/7270028/Language-Policies-in-the-Philippines>

Sugbo, Victor N. Language Policy and Local Literature in the Philippines. University of the

Philippines in the Visayas, 2003.


Image taken from :http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/4859945.jpg

Language Acquisition


Long before a child starts schools, s/he has become an extremely sophisticated language-user, operating a system for self-expression and communication no other creature, or computer, comes close to matching. (Yule, 2007)


photo taken from: http://www.anvari.org/db/fun/Cute_Kids/Cute_Babies.jpg

Sunday is Badminton Day


Getting sporty with nene Apes and Gracie at the Soriano Badminton Courts!

Walang Magawa, Part 4



goofing around at the faculty room...

One, two, three BLOG!*

THE DAY I FOUND BLOG

I'm reminded to use my camera more often just like my dear friend Kimi who happily captures every friend's heartbeat for Multiply." – JC Buendia


“Gosh, you’re a Blog addict!” This is the usual remark I get from my co-teacher and dear friend Noel, every time he sees me in front of a computer doing my usual stuff - surfing the net, checking e-mails, updating facebook, twitting or simply reading my courseware.


Honestly, I developed an "addiction" to it. Yes, Blogging became my way of life. This addiction started last January of 2009. STI Colleges in Western Visayas gathered at SM City Iloilo Cinema Six for the annual National Youth Convention. One of the convention speakers was Spanky "Manila Boy" Enriquez who was tasked to present his points on the topic Create, Connect, Communicate. Specifically, he highlighted the concept of Blogging as a medium of human expression and a social marketing tool. At that time, the idea of blogging was something novel to me, so right after the convention, I dropped by the internet café and give it a try…


READY, GET SET, BLOG!

They say "Life is about experience"... I say, Life is about sharing experiences; after all, experience is the best teacher!


In today's modernity, we are living in a different community – a global Diaspora!


Reaching this global Diaspora requires the exploitation of what Information Technology has to offer us and Blogging is one of them! Blogging brings us to a whole new level of connecting, communicating and influencing the world. Yes, whether we like it or not, we influence each other. This is manifested by the comments, ratings and reviews we post to fan sites, social networking profiles among others. These "little voices" have actually the capability to stir emotions, spark personal revolution, influence decision makings, or even turn one's perspective 360 degrees!


Thus as bloggers, whether we like it or not, we are the new legislators of the world, the modern literati, and as such, we are given responsibility to nourish the world with knowledge drawn from experiential learning activities and undertakings we have through constant interactions and observations with the rest of the human creations.


Hence, blogging, or being tagged as a blog addict is something we should never be ashamed of. Blogging is a personal choice, an embraced responsibility, a commitment and a promise to make the world better for humanity! So to all of you out there, what are you waiting for? Share those captured moments to the world! Start blogging TODAY!


*This is an updated entry from a previous post.




Carmen's Birthday at MO2 Annex, Smallville Business Complex, Iloilo City

Photo ops at Carmen's Birthday she privately celebrated at the newly renovated MO2 Annex! Thanks tita, I really had a blow!

walang magawa: STI Edition



Photos taken from the powerful laptop of stage actress Carmen B. Diaz.

Triple Treat


It's a triple treat to all well wishers as Arlene, Elsed, and Johnny celebrated their ??? birthday last 27 October at Club 21, Smallville Business Complex, Iloilo City. Well wishers included, Palanca Awardee John Teodoro, UCRP Director Jigs Latoza, Stage Actress Mona Pico, Language Chair Nenelyn De La Fuente, GMA TV 6's Fabs Paderes, and some USA teachers and friends!

The Wonders of Roxas City, Capiz, Philippines

At the Roxas Mansion
At the Roxas City Plaza


Here are some photos during my trip to the country's seafood capital: ROXAS City!

STI COLLEGE ILOILO COMARTS CLUB

STI COLLEGE ILOILO COMARTS CLUB

Constitution and By-Laws

CONSTITUTION

Article I: Name of the Organization
Section 1: The name of this organization shall be the STI COMARTS CLUB

Article II: Purpose of the Organization
Section 1: The primary purpose is to create an inviting and social atmosphere for students enrolled in all Communication Arts subjects.
Section 2: The secondary purpose is to appeal to prospective students and other individuals who show interest in the study of Communication Arts.

Article III: Membership
Section 1: Given the primary and secondary purposes of the organization, membership will not be limited to students taking Communication Arts Subjects.
Section 2: Membership is acquired by maintaining a desire to belong to the organization and attendance of three STI COMARTS CLUB meetings.
Section 3: No discrimination on the basis of age, race, sex, sexual identity, creed, or religion will exist within the organization.

Article IV: Officers
Section 1: Officers shall consist of a President, two Vice-Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer, Auditor, Business Manager, two PROs, two PCOs and a class representative per course.
Section 2: The term of office is one academic year (10-month period).
Section 3: Elections will be held in June by the general membership or as specified by the Club advisers.
Sub-Section A: If an officer is unable to fulfill his/her duties for the designated term, vacancies shall be filled by a special election to be held at the next scheduled club meeting.

Article V: Executive Committee (Governing Board)
Section 1: The Executive Committee shall consist of the faculty advisers and the elected officers.
Section 2: Any minor business referred to the Executive Committee may be resolved through simple discussion with the general membership and the reaching of a consensus (general agreement) regarding the matter.
Section 3: Major business, or minor business where a consensus cannot be reached, is referred to the Executive Committee where a majority vote will pass any business.
Sub-Section B: In the event of a tie vote, the faculty advisor will cast the deciding vote.

Article VI: Meetings
Section 1: Meetings shall be held every first and third Wednesday of the month.

Article VII: How to Amend the Constitution
Section 1: A notice of two weeks shall be given to the membership before voting to amend the Constitution.
Section 2: The faculty adviser and at least three officers must be present.
Section 3: Amendments can be passed by a three-fourths (3/4) majority vote given that 50% of the membership is in attendance at the meeting.

BY-LAWS

Article I: Membership
Section 1: Members are in good standing by attending one meeting a month.

Article II: Finance
Section 1: The president, treasurer, and faculty advisers will be in charge of finances.

Article III: Notice of Meetings
Section 1: The location and time of the next meeting will be announced at the end of the preceding meeting.

Article IV: Elections
Section 1: Elections will be held in June on a Friday designated by the membership or as designated by the Club advisers
Section 2: A simple voice nomination suffices to offer a candidate for nomination for any position. A consensus or majority vote will suffice to elect the nominated individual.
Section 3: A member is entitled to vote by having attended three meetings to obtain membership and must have attended the previous STI ComArts Club meeting prior to the vote.

Article V: Amendments
Section 1: These By-Laws may be amended in the same manner prescribed for the amendment of the Constitution.

Article VI: Enacting Clause
Section 1: These by-laws shall become effective upon the approval of the Dean / Academic Head of STI College Iloilo.

patron tequila

Anak ng Kabayong may bangs: the UEC Acquaintance Party



The USA English Club officers and advisers at Club 21

USA English Club 2009-2010






UEC Officers and Advisers during the Acquaintance Party of recognized student organizations of the university of san agustin.

STI one more time...



STI College Iloilo Acquaintance party 2009
Puerto Real, La Paz, Iloilo City, Philippines

PROFILES by Quito Treñas


INVICTUS and RED GALLERY present "PROFILES by QUITO TRENAS," July 20-31, 2009 at the RED Steakhouse and Gallery, Smallville, Iloilo City.

Jigger Latoza and his poetic thought on Roger Federer

While I was waiting for my next class, I decided to check my Facebook account and read some interesting feed-exchange of thoughts, by my network of friends. Then I can across the Facebook page of my great boss, Jigs Latoza. I was caught by his shoutout. It was about Roger Federer and it goes this way...

Watching Roger Federer play tennis is like being awed by the most graceful dancer on earth. He moves softer than a whisper. He seems to make the ball move to wherever he pleases without hitting it hard. All that the ball really needs is the gentlest caress from Roger's racket... Congratulations! Felicitations! Glückwünsche!

I was unfortunate not to witness this year's Wimbledon Finals. Nevertheless, I'm grateful to have friends like tita carmen who religiously updates me with the set scores and blow-by-blow account of the men's final match!

My sincerest congratulations to Roger Federer and other Wimbledon champions this year!