As the Philippines celebrates Buwan ng Wika, Globe, in collaboration with NABU, is revolutionizing the way various Filipino languages are embraced and preserved through digital enablement and inclusion.
By sharing unique stories penned by Filipino mothers, along with more than a hundred books translated into regional languages such as Hiligaynon, Bicolano, Ilokano, Cebuano, and Maranao, Globe and NABU are making literacy accessible to children across the nation and promoting inclusivity.
In support of this year’s theme “Filipino at mga Katutubong Wika: Wika ng Kapayapaan, Seguridad, at Inklusibong Pagpapatupad ng Katarungang Panlipunan,” Globe and NABU underscore the importance of language in unifying the nation and fostering collective awareness and progress.
For this year’s Buwan ng Wika celebration, NABU has collaborated with three mothers to share their stories under the ‘Mother’s Legacy Project.’ These titles include: “Ang Malaking Dagat na Tinatawag na Internet” by Chary Mercado, teaching young children how to safely navigate the internet; “Panganay, Gitna, at Bunso” by Georgia del Rosario, an anthology that embodies the lessons of forging harmonious relationships with siblings; and “Kaaya-ayang Balat” by Laura Verallo de Bertotto, which talks about the importance of skin health.
For both NABU and Globe, this initiative underscores the importance of also seeing figures familiar to our readers – with the mother often referred to as ‘Ang liwanag ng tahanan’ (‘the light of the community’) the Mother’s Legacy project aims to convey stories that reflect a mother’s thoughts, hopes, and values they want to impart on their children.
“We see language as more than a tool for communication. It’s a vessel for our values, traditions, and history to come through. By encouraging children to learn and embrace their mother tongue, we are building a more inclusive and compassionate society where everyone’s voice can be heard,” said Yoly Crisanto, Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications of Globe.
Mauro Daez, NABU Philippines Country Manager, added that “the richness of our cultural heritage is embedded in our languages. By promoting literacy in various mother-tongue regional languages, we are not only preserving our linguistic diversity but also connecting our children to their roots. This connection fosters a sense of identity and pride that is essential for the growth of our nation.”
NABU is a New York-based nonprofit organization dedicated to eradicating poverty through increased literacy. The partnership with Globe reflects both parties’ commitment to fostering an inclusive society and encourages children to embrace the joy of reading.
Last year, Globe launched its partnership with NABU, as the exclusive telco distribution channel for NABU’s e-books across the Philippines. They share a mutual goal of enhancing students’ learning experiences through mother-tongue language books to unlock every child’s potential.
The NABU: Multilingual Kids Books app may be downloaded for free on Google Play Store and App Store. For further details, visit www.nabu.org or www.nabu.org/tl/philippines.*
