MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. on Tuesday marked "Buwan ng Wika" by reminding Filipinos that intelligence is not measured solely by the mastery of a foreign language.

"Inaasahan ang bawat isa na makilahok sa intelektwalisasyon ng Filipino, nang sa gayon ay mabago na sa ating kamalayan na ang pagsasalita ng banyagang wika ay hindi ang natatanging pamantayan ng karunungan," Marcos said in a message.

(We expect everyone to contribute to the intellectualization of the Filipino language so our mindset that speaking a foreign language is the only standard of intelligence could change.)

"Ngayon, higit kailanman, panatilihin nating matatag ang ating lingwistikong pundasyon sa Filipino, dahil ang sarili nating wika ang ating magiging batayang lakas sa paglinang sa ating kultura habang nakikiayon sa agos ng makabagong panahon," he added.

(Now more than ever, we should strengthen our linguistic foundation in Filipino because our own language will be the basis of enhancing our culture while adapting to modern changes.)

The Philippines marks "Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa" every August since former President Fidel V. Ramos in 1997 extended the "Linggo ng Wika" into a monthlong event.

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