Mariano Marcos
State University

MMSU prof spotlights Filipino language in ASEAN virtual lecture

By Ian Paul Villanueva

Dr. Djoanna Pungtilan, a faculty member of the Mariano Marcos State University - College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) brought Filipino language and culture to the international stage through a lecture during the Philippine leg of the ASEAN Language and Culture Exchange (LACE) on August 24.

Titled “LIVE and LEARN: The Filipino Way,” Dr. Pungtilan’s lecture showcased Filipino identity in her discussions about the most widely spoken languages in the country, drawing their similarities and differences with one another as well as the languages of other ASEAN countries like Bahasa and Javanese.

Beyond language, the lecture also delved into the Filipino cultures of family-centricity (𝘱𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺𝘢), warm hospitality (𝘱𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘬𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘮𝘢), and deep respect for elders through traditions like 𝘱𝘢𝘨𝘮𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘰 and the use of the honorifics ‘𝘱𝘰’ and ‘𝘰𝘱𝘰.’

In his message during the event, MMSU President Virgilio Julius P. Manzano, Jr., thanked the organizers for holding the meaningful event and acknowledged its significance in strengthening cross-country partnerships between higher education institutions in the ASEAN region.  

“We have the LACE to introduce our own languages to our friends in Southeast Asia, and today is the day for the Filipino language. So, to our participants today, enjoy exploring our Filipino language with MMSU taking the center stage to introduce to you our language,” Dr. Manzano added.

A month-long virtual internationalization program hosted by Ifugao State University and involving 17 universities across ASEAN, LACE is a series of virtual language sessions, each featuring the most widely spoken languages and cultural practices of the eleven ASEAN countries. MMSU, together with the University of Baguio, led Session 4 of the series, which featured Filipino language and culture.