Celebrating Filipino culture: Things to do and places to visit this Buwan ng Wika

August holds huge cultural significance to the Philippines, with people celebrating Buwan ng Wika for the entire month.

- MIGUEL LIBOSADA

It is the time of year when the whole country honors its national language, Filipino. Schools with “English Only” policies forgo the rule during this time, encouraging their students to speak Filipino or their mother tongue.

In the midst of this celebration comes the vibrance of Filipino culture. Schoolchildren are asked to wear Filipiniana to various school functions and Filipino food takes the spotlight. This is the time when anything Filipino becomes the talk of the town.

Complementing the celebration of the history and beauty of Filipino culture and languages, here are several activities that will pique your interest. Who knows, these might be your gateway to the lively world of Filipino artistry, culture, and history.

FOR THE BOOKWORMS

One of the most gratifying ways to celebrate Buwan ng Wika is by exploring the world of Filipino literature and texts. There are several areas in Metro Manila that you may visit to satisfy your interest.

Perhaps, one of the iconic places for bookworms in the Metro is Solidaridad, a bookshop founded by Filipino National Artist for Literature F. Sionil José in 1965. It is known for its wide selection of Filipiniana works such as those written by Jose Rizal, Nick Joaquin, and Lualhati Bautista.

It is also a place where academics and scholars frequent. More importantly, it also houses rare works, even those made by writers outside Metro Manila. This is helpful for those looking to widen their horizon by exploring more Filipino literature.