Culture Goes Virtual: APEC Schools Bacoor's Buwan ng Wika Shines Despite the Distance

By Thor Alexander Tanio

This year’s Buwan ng Wika celebration, held on August 16th, encouraged and promoted the value of Filipino culture and native languages. Schools traditionally pack this time of year with events like storytelling competitions, poetry, singing, and dancing to foster a greater appreciation of Filipino customs and languages. These activities bring joy and excitement to schools and highlight the importance of preserving our cultural identity.

Due to power interruptions in the main building, APEC Schools Bacoor held its Buwan ng Wika celebration online. Despite this challenge, the event was filled with enthusiasm and creativity as students connected virtually to ensure everyone could participate. While it was not the same as celebrating face-to-face, students eagerly joined their class activities. Each section was assigned a region of the Philippines, and instead of decorating classrooms, students were tasked to create a video presentation showcasing their region. They also created virtual backgrounds to represent the culture of their assigned area.

Despite a few setbacks, the participants enjoyed the event. The school also held contests for the best video and best virtual background. In the Senior High School category, 11-STEM-1 won the award for best video, while Grade 7-2 took the prize in the Junior High School category. For best virtual background, 11-STEM-3 won in the SHS category, and Grade 10-1 emerged victorious in the JHS category. After the winners were announced, the celebration continued with students sharing pictures of their food, including Bicol Express, Halo-Halo, and more.  

In conclusion, despite the challenges of a virtual setup, this year's Buwan ng Wika celebration at APEC Schools Bacoor was a resounding success. The event demonstrated that, even without a physical gathering, the spirit of Filipino culture and pride could thrive. Students embraced the opportunity to showcase their heritage through creative video presentations and vibrant virtual backgrounds, transforming the online platform into a lively celebration of diversity. Each section's enthusiasm, dedication, and teamwork underscored the importance of preserving and honoring our native languages and traditions. This year's celebration was a testament to students' and educators' resilience and creativity, proving that Filipino culture can continue to inspire, connect, and bring joy to all, even in challenging circumstances.