April 18, 2008
Solon encourages Palaweños to speak Cuyunon once a month.
Posted by thepalawantimes under English News | Tags: cuyunon, DepEd, palawan news, vice-governor david a. ponce de leon |By Cheryl A. Galili
IT’S ABOUT time… before it dies.
Vice-Governor David A. Ponce de Leon has authored an ordinance called Cuyunon Provincial Dialect Ordinance to promote and preserve the Cuyunon culture.
It is now in the Committee on Rules and Laws for further study following his filing to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan last week.
He said that pursuant to Section 6 of the Provincial Administrative Code of Palawan (Provincial Ordinance No. 269-A, Series of 1997), the Cuyunon has been declared as the official dialect of Palawan, hence, the provincial government is mandated to pursue the promotion of the dialect and the adoption of measures for its wider knowledge and its more prevalent use, including the familiarity with its indigenous literature through the widest possible means of dissemination.
Under the proposed ordinance, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan shall designate at least one session day every month to be known as “Cuyunon Day” during its deliberation, including that of its committees.
All notices, announcements, press releases and articles in the province shall have their respective Cuyunon translation. The official newsletter of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, he further explained, should also have a Cuyunon section.
During the celebration of Baragatan Festival, Ponce de Leon said, there will be a “Cuyunon Night” where its rich history, culture, arts and literature shall be featured and the dialect the medium of presentation.
Existing organizations that promote the Cuyunon culture and dialect, such as Gaqued Y Ang Mga Cuyunon and others will be duly recognized for their efforts, he also said.
“Here in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, at least once a week, will try to use Cuyunon. We have actually started a while ago,” he said.
The provincial government shall further encourage the organization of associations whose purposes shall be the promotion of the Cuyunon dialect, in particular, and the Cuyunon culture and traditions in general.
The other offices of the provincial government and its various official transactions shall give priority to the use of Cuyunon dialect in conversations and issuances of official notices, announcements and others.
Ponce de Leon further pronounced that all educational institutions in the province shall undertake serious efforts to promote the use of Cuyunon dialect under appropriate circumstances which may include, but not limited, to class instructions and discussions. Palaweño-Cuyunon Departments should be established within institutions to include school organs and regular publications of Cuyunon literature.
He hopes that all Palaweños shall work hand in hand towards the promotion of the Cuyuno dialect, one of the most prolific in the country, to foster Palawan’s culture, history and arts.
Sangguniang Bayan or municipal councils, particularly in predominant Cuyunon towns, should also apply the provisions of the ordinance.
The use of the Cuyunon dialect should be encouraged also in all government offices, through conversations and through issuances of notices, announcements and
The use of the Cuyonon dialect should also be encourage to government offices, promoted through conversational means and through issuances of notices, announcements, other documents and allot Cuyunon sections in their official newsletters.
Even private offices need to apply the same and their managements should allot specific portions of their work time for wider learning of the vernacular and the culture and traditions of the Cuyunons by their staff.
Ponce de Leon believes that the ordinance will be approved soon considering that all members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan know and are interested to speak the dialect.
“I don’t think that the approval would take a long time because everybody in the Board supports it. Maybe two sessions from now, it will already be approved as we are trying to include it in Baragatan. One program, one night will be purely Cuyunon,” he said.
The vice-governor said it is lamentable that most teenagers in Palawan born to Cuyunon families do not know how to speak the tongue. He said nobody should be embarrassed that their roots are Cuyunons.
“Cuyunon culture is a very great culture and the dialect is the people’s powerful means of communication that I think we all should learn,” he concluded.
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April 21, 2008 at 5:28 am
bravo! it’s about time cuyonon gets recognized as the dialect of palawan. for many years now, the cuyonon had been neglected so much so that the younger generations of palawenos seem to be ashamed of their own language, particularly in puerto princesa. now the malady is creeping all over the province, even in cuyo itself. let us all support this endeavor of vice-governor dave ponce de leon. it is not because he is a cuyonon that he is doing this, i think it is more of an “identity” issue. even filipinos do not know that palawan has its own dialect that is unique on its own and one thing to be truly proud of.
April 21, 2008 at 11:05 am
This will give us back Palawenos in general our “Identity” almsot gone and forgtotten.
April 23, 2008 at 6:49 pm
Cuyonon is a language in its own right.
What’s the difference between a language and a dialent?
Suppose Carling is from Bohol and Badong is from Negros Oriental. They both speak Cebuano. They understand each other–even if Carling speaks the Bohol dialect of Cebuano and Badong speaks the Negros Oriental dialect of Cebuano. Cebuano is a language; speakers of Cebuano in various parts of the country speak dialects of Cebuano. However, they all understand each other, as they speak the same language.
Now, take Carling from Bohol and Esting from Bacolod. If Carling were to speak Cebuano to Esting, who speaks Ilonggo, they would not understand each other, because they speak different languages. Cebuano and Ilonggo are different languages in their own right. There are many dialects of Ilonggo — Iloilo dialect, Bacolod dialect, etc.
There are eight major languages in the Philippines–Cebuano, Tagalog, Ilocano, Bikol, Waray, Ilonggo, Capampangan, Pangasinan.
Cuyonon is a language. Tausug is a language. Maranaw is a language. And so on.
April 24, 2008 at 3:27 am
it’s about time really…
and yes Cuyonon is not a dialect.it’s a language…=D
bravo!vice gov ponce de leon… we support you!!!
April 24, 2008 at 5:56 am
Thank you all for commenting. It’s nice to read different reactions. Whether language or dialect, it’s just semantics. Of course, in text books, the word “language” has a different appreciation than “dialect,” in that language is the principal means used by human beings to communicate with one another — sign or spoken. In the Philippines, majority of the people speak Tagalog though they are Cuyunons, Ilonggos, Cebuanos, Ilocanos.
Dialect, according to my college professor, is variety of a language differing in some aspects, for instance in grammar, vocabulary and other forms of language. It is restricted to a certain locale or area (geographical). The Ilocanos, when in Cebu, won’t be able to speak Cebuano but it doesn’t mean they won’t understand each other. Same as the Cebuanos who wouldn’t be able to speak Ilocano. But both can speak Tagalog. Both are also proud to be Cebuanos and Ilocanos.
Yes, Cuyunon is a language. I understand from Vice-Governor that the resolution is to promote not just the Cuyunon dialect/language but also its culture, arts and traditions. Unlike the Cebuanos, the Ilonggos, the Warays who speak their own tongue fluently, daily, in Palawan, it’s a different case. Sad to say, children here born to Cuyunon families do not speak the language and are oblivious to the beautiful culture and traditions of the Cuyunon.
My mom is Cuyunon and so am I — really proud to be.
At the end of the day, let this not be a case what they call “regionalism of language as the reason why the Philippines is disunited.” For us Cuyunon, it’s to have an identity of our own; for our culture and arts to be known as one of the most interesting in the country.
The Editor
April 24, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Matinlong barita dia. Kudos sa ateng mga oficiales nga aga-pauna ig sa tanan nga aga tingwa y mayad para sa ateng banwa.
Mabuhay!
April 25, 2008 at 3:02 pm
To the editor I agree with what you said that “At the end of the day, let this not be a case what they call “regionalism of language as the reason why the Philippines is disunited.” For us Cuyunon, it’s to have an identity of our own; for our culture and arts to be known as one of the most interesting in the country.”
It’s just that I can’t help but notice, the loose ends on this article about Cuyonon being a dialect. It’s semantics you say. How people understand it. I for one understand the difference between a language and a dialect. And I know that Cuyonon is a language and not a dialect of any language.
This article being published online renders it to more “educated” readers and to some readers who just accept what is written as true.Isn’t it better then to not confuse your readers on semantics as you say but write what is due the Cuyonon language.
I just think that as the editor it is your job to be more strict on things like that…
I am also a Cuyonon born in Puerto Princesa City. And right now I’m trying to study the language.
This comment seeks to clarify certain things and question a little. All for the improvement of your site.
Matamang salamat!This article is reposted on my sites.with credit to your site.
April 25, 2008 at 5:30 pm
The editor is largely mistaken regarding language, dialect, and semantics. Cuyonon — linguists would agree — is a language like Tagalog, like Kapampangan (my mother language), like Ilocano, and Pangasinan.
This is good news, but “Provincial Dialect” is politically incorrect.
April 28, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Lee, it’s so nice to read you here
I miss you so much. Joey, thanks for reposting us on your web site. Jason, thanks also.
We’ll inform the good Vice-Governor re: all your points. Expect follow up stories regarding this news. Have a nice day you all!
May 1, 2008 at 8:23 pm
ok.thank you =D
May 3, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Hello
Just an update on the Cuyunon Ordinance/Resolution — I’ve asked Cheryl to verify if Vice-Governor did say it’s Cuyunon dialect or language, she said it’s “Cuyunon dialect” in the provision. We’ve informed the Vice-Gov’s office about your point that it’s language.
May 13, 2008 at 6:17 am
It’s one thing we can be proud of. Speaking cuyunon dialect empowers Palaweños- binding us to our ancestors. Most of all, it’s a cultural wealth we can leave to our next generations.
Long Live Cuyunon!
May 15, 2008 at 11:23 pm
Whatever the case, Dialect or Language it doesn’t matter. It has nothing to do with other D or L, it’s all about Cuyonon, in the end and we want it back and preserved!