The Tagalization Campaign: Philippine Government’s “Genocidal” Policy

The Chinese communist nationalism during the Cultural Revolution in the 1960s brought about the death of millions in China. The Chinese purge anything that was Western or capitalist influenced in their country. German nationalism led to WW 2 and the genocide of 6 million Jews on the grounds that they are not worthy to be Germans. Japanese nationalism led to the rape of Nanking, China wherein millions were killed. This has also lead to the occupation and plunder of the major countries in Asia. They believe it is their birthright to rule East Asia. American nationalism led to the dispossession of the Native Americans like the Trail of Tears. Those of non-European origin especially blacks were subject to intense discriminatory policies of the government. Russian nationalism at the time of Czar Nicholas II led to the Russification campaign, wherein those of non-Russian language and culture were subject to very severe or intense restrictions. English nationalism led to the Irish potato famine which had killed millions of people in Ireland. Western nationalism led to the “holocaust” of the millions of Indians in the new world, and then the destruction of their culture which had existed for thousands of years. Hutu nationalism has lead to the genocide of 800,000 mostly Tutsis in Rwanda in just merely 100 days. This is the most widespread and efficient killing in just a matter of days ever in recorded history. After 9/11, Western nationalism has led to the formation of neo-Nazi groups which attacks minorities especially Muslims living in the EU and other Western countries. It also fostered Islamophobia. Islamic nationalism has called for the killing of Westerners and non-Muslims alike especially Jews and Christians on the grounds that they are unclean and infidels. Serbian nationalism led to the ethnic cleansing of non-Serbians in Yugoslavia. It is the worst genocide ever to occur after World War 2.

In the Philippines, Filipinos have their own brand of nationalism which is Tagalog nationalism. It is built on a premise that in a very ideal Philippines, one must possess Tagalog culture, be very fluent in Tagalog, or know some sort of Tagalog language. This type of nationalism and ideology is very threatening from a non-Tagalog point of view. Why? If carried out to its very logical conclusion. It can only mean one thing: The ethnic cleansing of non-Tagalog language, culture, and people on the grounds that they are not worthy to be called Filipinos. If this is carried out efficiently expect the linguistic death or extinction of non-Tagalog people and the culture it represents. And in the years to come, only one man is left standing: THE TAGALOGS. Tagalog nationalism is hidden under the neutral word Filipino or Philippine nationalism. They are indeed so eloquent in their expression of their alleged “love” of country, but essentially it is Tagalog nationalism down to its very core. This type of nationalism is espoused and a very pre-eminent mindset in most UP campuses especially in UP Diliman. They wear this very perverted type of nationalism like a badge of honor to be proud of. So when they graduate and then hold KEY positions of power, they spread this very toxic ideology unto the entire Philippine governmental system. They deliberately ignore the very vast majority of the Filipino people who happened to be non-Tagalog in origin. They think this is what is really best for the Filipino people.

Tagalista ideology or Tagalog nationalism does not believe in unity in diversity. It is steadfast in its belief system that unity can only be achieved through uniformity only. They are very negative and have a hostile attitude towards mother language advocates. They equate them immediately as a bunch of secessionist or possessing parochial aspirations.

The national government expects loyalty to the national language, but what do non-Tagalogs get in return for this allegiance? Their language, culture, and history are banned in their very OWN schools. Their language is not even official in their own regions or homeland, because in the 1987 constitution, regional language is only auxiliary or secondary language. But Tagalog language, culture, and history are allowed and given the privilege to be taught in Tagalog speaking schools. Not only that, they are given the opportunity and sole privilege to imposed this language in non-Tagalog speaking areas. Take note: the propagation and enrichment of the Tagalog language has been done through the taxes extracted from Tagalog and non-Tagalog citizens alike, but in return nothing has been done on non-Tagalog languages in its preservation, enrichment, and propagation. Ironically, it is the foreign missionaries and foreign NGOs who are helping non-Tagalogs in the preservation of their languages.

Language can be a bridge to unity, but when this is forced or imposed upon others, and done without the foremost consensus in mind – language can now be the source of resentment, anger, mistrust, misunderstanding, and disunity among its own people. The imposition of the Tagalog language in the schools of non-Tagalog was a by-product or remnant of the illegal Japanese occupational government in World War 2. This was not made in consensus of the Filipino people. This was done as a tool for anti-Americanism during the war with the US in World War 2. So with the help of the collaborationist Laurel government, the Tagalog language was imposed in all school levels of the archipelago on a national scale through Executive Order No. 44 with UP leading the way. This is still being done until today without the consent of non-Tagalogs alike.

Non-Tagalog language and culture have existed long before there was any Philippine republic to speak of. They are not immigrant groups who just recently came over to the country, and then just loudly demand for their equal rights in the republic, but they are actually mainstream culture. So their culture and language should never be subordinate to anyone or to the Philippine republic.

The 12 major languages in the country should be made official especially in their own regions. They already represent the empowerment of 98 % of the Filipino people. English should be maintained as the neutral or leveler tongue among Filipinos. It serves as a buffer against Tagalization. With English, no one is privileged, so everyone starts from scratch. Then an institute shall be maintained to preserve the other minority languages of the Filipino people. The Tagalization campaign of the Philippine governmental institutions especially the educational facilities has given a very unfair linguistic advantage towards Tagalogs. As a result of privileging bestowed upon Tagalogs, non-Tagalogs especially Visayan language and culture has been constantly mocked in national television. They think this ethnic slur is now fair game.

Ironically, it is the foreign missionaries, and foreign NGOs like the Summer Institute of Linguistics who have done a lot in saving, documenting, and preserving the Philippine languages around the country. The Philippine government has never sponsored any non-Tagalog dictionary. But it keeps on brainwashing its citizens with this mantra: “Ang Filipino / Pilipino ay hindi Tagalog kundi hango siya sa iba’t ibang wika ng Pilipinas (Filipino / Pilipino is an amalgamation of all the Philippine languages.) This is just a ploy to project an image of fairness, that Filipino accepts equal influences from other Philippine languages. But in reality, in order for the Philippine government to be very efficient in its Tagalization campaign of the country. Its hides biased terminology in very neutral terms in order to avoid detection from other ethno linguistic groups like: Filipinization for Tagalization, Filipinize for Tagalize and Filipino for the Tagalog language. When in reality, these terms mean one and the same thing. Filipino the national language stated in the 1987 constitution is just a mere dialect of the Tagalog language. The government policy is to “live and let die”, and not “live and let live.” It obviously does not promote anything besides Tagalog hidden under the neutral word Filipino, while other Philippine languages are being marginalized.

The Tagalization campaign of the government has already taken its toll on its people. Palawan used to be a Cuyonin language speaking province. Today, the province is now Tagalized. Pampanga live next door to a privileged language. In a not distant future, Kapampangan culture and language will be Tagalized. This Tagalization is now phenomenon throughout the archipelago due to the imposition of the Tagalog language in the lands without the consent of non-Tagalogs.

The Visayan ethno-linguistic is probably the most fiercely resistant group against any Tagalization attempts on its borders. Their language and culture is native in almost the major lands of the Visayas and Mindanao area. Not only that, the Visayan language is spoken by 1/3 of the people of Masbate, and then parts of Mindoro and Romblon too. The Tagalog nationalist strategy – it is by equating linguistic rights as secessionist and regionalist aspiration. Not only that their Tagalista nationalist cohorts in media and television has made it very synonymous that possessing Visayan language and culture as the language of maids, construction works, ignorant people or promdi, and houseboys. They have corrupted the word Bisaya as something cheap. Like “Napakabisaya naman. May Bisaya ka ba diyan? Ay Bisaya” ( Translation: It is very cheap. Do you have maid or houseboy over there? We have a promdi or ignorant person. ) Have you ever been pissed off that the Visayan language or culture is constantly being used as a butt jokes on national television, also in print , and forwarded on emails? Tagalog nationalist never condemn this type of ethnic or racist jokes. They believe it is a valid to poke fun on a culture that it is spoken by a very large geographical majority of the Filipino people. You may wonder, "Why?" Because they have a very condescending attitude towards non-Tagalog language and the culture they represent. This is the result of privileging one ethno linguistic group that has lead to the stigmatization and vulgarization of the mother languages all around the country.

Non-Tagalogs and enlightened Tagalogs alike should fight Tagalog nationalism with the greatest zeal and with all their might, because the very logical conclusion for this is the ethnic cleansing or genocide of the non-Tagalog languages and cultures it represent. This is the sword of Damocles of every Filipino waiting to unleash its foremost evil in the Philippine society today. We might see another holocaust in the country or the next Serbia, if ever we are not vigilant about this very perverted type of nationalism. Filipinos should have the courage to stop Tagalog nationalism at its very core and footsteps, because this will forever destroy the natural diversity of this country - the way the Creator made or meant it to be. Let us all act now before it is too late. Nationalism is not always good. It is very chauvinistic in nature, because it forces someone to give up his authentic identity and genuine culture in order to fit into one mold only. Tagalog nationalism is very disrespectful to the diverse ethno linguistic groups of the Philippines. It believes in an archaic principle of unity through uniformity only, and never unity through diversity. Non-Tagalogs are being forced into the Tagalog mould in order to be worthy to be called Filipinos. This is done at the expense of their authentic identity and culture. The government should change its slogan: Isang Bansa (One country), Isang Lahi (One Culture), and Isang Diwa (One Language). This is very nihilistic and insensitive. The reality is the Philippines is one country but with an assembly of nations (languages). And every language represents a very unique culture and an intellectual wealth of any country.

The end never justifies the means. This so called “national unity” came at a very huge price. This has engendered the marginalization, extinction, and destruction of the Philippine languages, which led to the disempowerment of the large majority of the Filipino people. It was done at the expense of the non-Tagalog cultures. If you are non-Tagalog, would you be happy about this predicament?

Let us work together to forever stop the Tagalization campaign of the Filipino people. This is an impending evil in our midst. This will destroy the authentic diversity of this country! This Tagalista ideology or Tagalog nationalism is perpetuated by UP people especially from UP Diliman, they are very oblivious to the fact that a very clear and large percentage of the Philippine population or about 71 % possesses non-Tagalog language and culture. If this ideology goes unopposed, unchecked, unquestioned, and unchallenged – this will lead to the demise of the cultural and linguistic heritages of the non-Tagalogs. Non-Tagalog people will now ceased to exists in this country. And only the Tagalog ethno-linguistic group will be left in the Philippines, while the rest are being extinguished for good.

Tagalog nationalists claim that they are fighting against an unjust or oppressive system, but what they are really doing is just plain hypocrisy. Their true intention or motive is that they just want to Tagalize the current system, so that it can further do its internal colonization throughout the archipelago without the consent of the non-Tagalog population. They want to be privileged in a diverse society like the Philippines. They are oblivious to the human rights especially the linguistic rights of non-Tagalog people who comprise the very vast majority of the Philippine population. They keep on imposing this fantasy that the Philippines is Tagalog culture and language ONLY. The Tagalog nationalist ultimate aim is to make or convert Tagalogs out of the diverse population of the Philippines.

Filipinos should foremost be encouraged to say, “I am Non-Tagalog, and I am very proud of my country.” Or “I am Kapampangan and I am honored to be a Filipino.” Or “I am Maranao and I am a patriotic Filipino.” Or “I am Visayan and I love the Philippines.” It should not be the slogan of the Philippines: “I am Filipino because I know how to speak Tagalog, and possess Tagalog culture.” This is very nihilistic, ethnocentric, very insensitive, and destroys the self-esteem and self-respect for those who happened to be non-Tagalogs. Being a true Filipino has nothing to do with being Tagalog only. Never be ashamed of your language and culture, because it is who you are indeed. It is your core and soul being.

The government is very oblivious or wants to fall on deaf ears in all the recent scientific findings that show the mother language is really the best medium of instruction in school. There is no substitute for it. You may wonder, "Why is this so?" Because, it will hinder in Tagalizing the Filipino people. They want to make Tagalogs out of non-Tagalogs. Visayans are very proud of their language and their culture. They don't want to be Tagalized. So let us work together to stop the Tagalization campaign of the Filipino people. This is the "genocidal" policy of the Philippine government that needs to be exposed for good!

Many great leaders from around the world like Albert Einstein and Pope John Paul II have foremost warned us against nationalism. Nationalism is not always good all the time. So let us stop the UP Tagalistas from destroying the diversity of this country. They are the foremost proponents of Tagalog nationalism!

This is one of the greatest hypocrisies of the Philippine government. It is one of the original signatories of the Universal Declaration of Human rights, which promotes linguistic rights. You may ask, "Should the national language be abolished for good?" Yes, of course it should be dislodged from its present stature. It has no value except only to the native speakers of the language, because it seeks to privilege an ethno linguistic group at the EXPENSE of others. What has been done then in return to the non-Tagalog language and culture? You want to know the absolute truth? Here it is - NONE AT ALL as in ZERO! There you have it.
Tagalog nationalism is WRONG! It needs to be exposed so that it can be corrected. If carried out to its logical end. This will lead to the ethnic and cultural genocide of the Filipino people especially non-Tagalogs. Nationalism is not always good all the time. Throughout history, this has been solely responsible for the worst atrocities and despicable genocide mankind has ever seen in our lifetime. This is our country's sword of Damocles, if ever we are not vigilant about this very perverted or sick type of nationalism. Let us be united in fighting and resisting Tagalog nationalism, because the logical conclusion for this is the cultural and linguistic genocide of the vast majority of the Filipino people. The foremost question is “Would you want that to happen in the Philippines at the expense of someone else’s?” The answer is NO

Pro-mother language advocates should never be misinterpreted or misunderstood. They are not against Tagalogs or anti-Tagalog as an ethno linguistic group. It is a very beautiful culture and a mother language worthy of utmost preservation. Almost all non-Tagalogs have friends, relatives, and families who are native speakers of the Tagalog language. This is where the line must be drawn solidly or clearly - it firmly stands against the ethnocentric Tagalista ideology or Tagalog nationalists who want to keep on unfairly imposing their culture and language on non-Tagalogs without their consent. This is done at the expense of non-Tagalogs by denying their authentic culture, their genuine language and heritage. Tagalog is never a neutral language. So speak out with foremost conviction against the intense Tagalization campaign of the Philippine government, or else your culture and your language will simply die out into oblivion. Meaning to say, the non-Tagalog languages and cultures will become extinct in the years to come in this country.

Language is culture. All cultures are equal, so therefore they have every right to exist in this world. Without language, the greatness and glory of a unique civilization would be very hard to express.

Patriotism is a lively sense of collective responsibility. Nationalism is a silly cock crowing on its own dunghill and calling for larger spurs and brighter beaks. I fear that nationalism is one of England’s many spurious gifts to the world.

Richard Aldington
1892-1962, British Writer
_____

Nationalism is our form of incest, is our idolatry, is our insanity. ''Patriotism'' is its cult. It should hardly be necessary to say, that by ''patriotism'' I mean that attitude which puts the nation above humanity, above the principles of truth and justice; not the loving interest in one's own nation, which is the concern with the nation's spiritual as much as with its material welfare -- never with its power over other nations. Just as love for one individual which excludes the love for others is not love, love for one's country which is not part of one's love for humanity is not love, but idolatrous worship.

Erich Fromm
1900-1980, American Psychologist
_____

Nationalism is power hunger tempered by self-deception.

George Orwell
1903-1950, British Author, ''Animal Farm''
_____


Pervading nationalism imposes its dominion on man today in many different forms and with an aggressiveness that spares no one. The challenge that is already with us is the temptation to accept as true freedom what in reality is only a new form of slavery.

John Paul II
1920, Polish-Born Italian Pope
_____

Nationalist pride, like other variants of pride, can be a substitute for self-respect.

Eric Hoffer
1902-1983, American Author, Philosopher
_____

Nationalism is an infantile disease, the measles of mankind.

Albert Einstein
Scientist