MANILA – In a home shaped by the discipline of the military and the creativity of media, three young siblings—Elijah, 10, a Grade 6 student; Ysha, 8, Grade3; and toddler Eliel, 2—are growing up in a linguistic tug-of-war. Despite their parents’ conscious effort to prioritize Filipino, it’s English that dominates their daily lives.

“We trained them to speak Filipino,” their mother, Ela Navarro, told the Philippine News Agency.

“But, they learned English in school and maybe from what they are watching. Eventually, it became their primary language at home.”

The English edge

English fluency is often considered a passport to opportunity. For Elijah and Ysha, the benefits are clear: they can easily understand lessons taught in English, breeze through English stories and conversations, and confidently interact with others who use the language. Their mother admits that English has given them an advantage in school, where many subjects are taught in the language.

“It’s a global language. Many people already speak English, even relatives and friends,” Navarro said.

In fact, when the family visited their province, instead of being immersed in the native tongue, it was the local children who ended up speaking English, depicting an unexpected role reversal that underscored how widespread English has become among the younger generation.

Struggle is real

Yet, alongside these benefits are noticeable struggles. While Elijah can switch between English and Filipino, there are still Filipino words he doesn’t fully understand. Ysha, meanwhile, often slips into “slang” or “Taglish.”

“They can easily understand English stories and conversations, but when they read books or watch in Filipino, I still need to explain the meaning,” Navarro said.

At times, the language gap creates real-world challenges. Their household helpers, who are more comfortable in Filipino, sometimes struggle to understand the children.

Even at home, moments of frustration arise.

“When I get angry and talk to them in Filipino, they just stare blankly. I end up having to translate it in English so they can understand my point,” Navarro admitted with a laugh.

Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) Chairperson Marites Barrios-Taran recognizes reports from parents with children who struggle to speak the local language, resulting in an alarming decline in Filipino fluency among the young.

While it can be very challenging, Barrios-Taran is encouraging parents, particularly mothers, to actively teach their children to speak Filipino.

She warned that the national language is at risk of being overshadowed by English.

“Wala pong ibang magmamahal sa wika natin kung hindi tayo lamang (No one else will love our language except us),” she said.

“Ang wika kasi ay namamatay kapag hindi po iyan nagagamit at iyan po ay isa sa pinakamalaking hamon at panganib ng ating wika na ang atin pong mga kabataan ay talagang mula paggising po ang naririnig ay wikang banyaga, wikang Ingles (Language dies when it is no longer used, and that is the biggest challenge and danger to our language, that our youth, from the moment they wake up, are surrounded by English),” she added.

A balancing act

Despite the struggles, the Navarro parents are adamant in keeping the Filipino language alive in their children’s lives. They speak to the kids in Filipino even when they respond in English or “Taglish.” Their father, James Navarro, even pretends not to understand English to encourage Ysha to use Filipino.

Barrios-Taran noted that even small gestures — such as replying “magandang umaga” instead of “good morning” — can help children become more comfortable using the local language.

She also suggests the use of Filipino and native languages in public spaces such as schools, markets, churches, and government offices.

“If we don’t use it, no one else will persevere in using it,” she said.

The KWF’s campaign comes amid concerns that globalization and the dominance of English in media, education, and social interaction are diminishing the everyday use of the Filipino language among younger generations.

Navarro shared that their children’s school plays its part as well, with subjects like Pagbasa at Wika and Hekasi being taught in Filipino starting in Grade 3.

Teachers have noted that Elijah and Ysha are quick learners, though they admit it feels “hard” at times, she said.

Asked if she has considered enrolling the children in Filipino tutorials or cultural workshops, Navarro shakes her head. For now, she relies on simpler, more natural tools: old Filipino children’s shows and storybooks.

“These can help widen their vocabulary,” she added.

The question of identity

For the parents, the bigger concern lies not only in academics but also in cultural connection. They see children raised with English forget their own language.

“We should not forget our roots. Filipino is our language — it’s part of who we are,” Navarro said.

In globalization, English is practical, powerful, and pervasive. Needless to say, Filipino remains essential in preserving identity and heritage.

Barrios-Taran emphasized that the national language is a symbol of unity, a channel of respect, and a reflection of the country’s culture and identity.

“The Filipino language binds us together. It is not only a tool for communication but also a mirror of our culture, perspectives, and social structure,” she said.

Advice to other parents

For families facing the same challenge, Navarro’s advice is straightforward: “Try to talk to them in Filipino at home. They will learn English in school and other platforms anyway.”

Her story is one shared by many Filipino families today — caught between the pull of English as the language of progress and Filipino as the language of heart and home.

She and her children continue a journey toward balance, where one opens doors to the world, and the other keeps them rooted to where they came from.

As an advocate of the Filipino language, Barrios-Taran urges parents to encourage their children to embrace Filipino at home, whether by writing poems, reading stories, or singing local songs.

She disclosed that KWF is developing educational materials, glossaries of technical terms, and regularly updating dictionaries—all of which are available online for public access.

These initiatives, she explained, are aimed at keeping Filipino languages relevant in education, science, and technology.

As part of its interventions, the KWF has launched the Bahay Wika or Master/Apprentice Language Learning Centers, designed to save endangered native tongues.

In these centers, children are immersed in their mother languages at home, while elders and trained teachers use the vernacular in storytelling, poetry, and daily interaction to ensure that younger generations adopt them.

The success of such programs depends on strong partnerships with local governments, private agencies, corporations, and cultural advocates, as well as additional funding support.

“We are a small agency under the Office of the President, but we are doing everything we can to avoid being a burden to government resources,” Barrios-Taran said.

“That is why we seek the help of those who value language and culture to preserve our endangered languages,” she added. (PNA)