Virgilio Almario on using English at Miss U: ‘Buwisit na buwisit ako d’on’

National Artist for Literature and the head of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino (KWF) Virgilio Almario is still miffed over the question and answer portion of the 65th Miss Universe pageant.

During the press launch of the 2017 Salinan Conference: Translation and Translation Studies in Local and Global Contexts on Wednesday, Almario expressed his disappointment over the fact that the Philippines' representative Maxine Medina chose to speak in English despite having an interpreter on standby.

"Buwisit na buwisit ako d'on e," he told the press. "Nasayang 'yong pagkakataon. Kahit hindi siya nanalo, at least narining 'yong Filipino sa buong mundo ... Kahit hindi siya nanalo, magkakaroon ng ibang kahulugan 'yong kaniyang sinabi."

Almario believes that her speaking in Filipino would have had a profound impact on the appreciation of not just Filipino, but other languages in the Philippines. Language, he explained, is an intangible cultural heritage that should be valued.

He added, "Kahit sabihing kabobohan 'yong kaniyang sinasabi. Kahit kabobohan 'yon, kung sinabi niya in Filipino, mayroong magiging quality 'yon na mas pahahalagahan natin."

While he understands that there is a certain pride derived from being able to speak a foreign language well, Philippine languages should not be treated as inferior.

Professor Jethro Tenorio from the Kagawaran ng Filipino at the Ateneo De Manila University added that the response to Medina's decision indicates that the people understand the nuances of language and the value of translation.

In jest, conference director Dr Michael Coroza said that media at the 65th Miss Universe pageant should have looked for the translator and asked him if he felt slighted by Medina's choice to speak in English.

"Ano ang nararamdaman niya nung baliwalain siya ng kanditata?" Coroza said. "Sana natanong siya, baka nasaktan din siya."

Almario, Coroza, and Tenorio invited the public to keep the discussion on translation going at the 2017 Salinan Conference: Translation and Translation Studies in Local and Global Contexts, which will be held from September 28 to 30 at the Leong Hall Auditorium, Ateneo De Manila University. — BM, GMA News

For inquiries about the Salinan conference, contact Dr. Michael Coroza at 0947 721 9249 or mcoroza@ateneo.edu or Eilene G. Narvaez at (02) 547 1860 or fitsalinan@gmail.com.