07 September 2016 — The Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong held a two-part celebration of Buwan ng Wika (Language Month) 2016 by showcasing two Filipino films, “Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo” and “K’na the Dreamweaver,” on August 21 and 28, respectively.

The film screenings were also opportunities for the Consulate to express its gratitude to groups and individual members of the Filipino community who contributed to the successful conduct of this year’s “Kapangyawan” Friendship Festival in June, and to the participants, actors, and principal figures in the successful staging of the musical play “Ang Ugoy ng Duyan” in July. Certificates of appreciation were awarded to named supporters.

In her address, Consul General Bernardita Catalla introduced the films to be screened and expressed the relevance of the two films to the celebration of Buwan ng Wika. Proclamation No. 1041 signed by then President Fidel V. Ramos mandates the celebration of the Buwan ng Wika in August and encourages the conduct of programs and activities that promote Philippine language and culture. The film “Bonifacio” is set in Tagalog, while “K’na the Dreamweaver” uses the T’boli language. 

She added that the commemoration of National Heroes’ Day and the International Indigenous Peoples’ Day are celebrated in August. She also mentioned that the Cry of Balintawak also happened in August of 1896.

The attendees of the second-day screening were also treated to a rendition by Ms. Stefanie Quintin of the popular Chinese song titled, “Yue Liang Daibao Wo De Xin” (The Moon Represents my Heart) translated into Filipino by Consul General Bernardita L. Catalla. END