Docu Series #UsapangWika Premieres on ABS-CBN News Channel
ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) recently unveiled a new documentary series entitled USAPANG WIKA, produced by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the Office of Senator Loren Legarda.
First episode was aired on Saturday, August 6, 2022 on ANC and new episodes will be televised every succeeding Saturdays at 4:30 to 5:00 pm.
The new documentary series 'Usapang Wika' will feature Ilokano, Cebuano, Hiligaynon & Kinaray-a, Waray, Pangasinan, Kapampangan, Tagalog, Bicolano, and Mernaw.
Watch the episode 1 below:
USAPANG WIKA is a 10-episode cultural documentary series which will feature the major languages of the Philippines as part of NCCA’s celebration of the Buwan ng Wika. The show is hosted by Senator Loren Legarda, and the scripts were written by Mr. Floy Quintos and directed by Mr. Jeypi Salonga.
Episode 1 – Intro episode
Episode 2 – Tagalog
Episode 3 – Kapampangan
Episode 4 – Pangasinan
Episode 5 – Ilokano
Episode 6 – Bicolano
Episode 7 – Hiligaynon/ Kinaray-a
Episode 8 – Cebuano
Episode 9 – Waray
Episode 10 – Meranaw/ Closing
The concept for the treatment of Usapang Wika was borne out of the need for connectivity and entertainment during the pandemic. Interview styles as well as presentation of scenes and examples were inspired by trending apps such as Zoom and Tiktok. The challenges of travelling to the centers of these languages was likewise addressed via an online crowdsourcing campaign enabling us to present the show in a manner that is youthful, innovative and fresh.
USAPANG WIKA also features an original sound track entitled “Tulay”, composed and sung by Mr. Ivan Corleone from the band Kalyo. The song can be listened to or streamed via Spotify, Youtube Music, Tiktok and other platforms.
“Our languages are a vital part of our heritage and our identity as a nation, and we must preserve them as a sign of our respect for our history and culture. Through ‘Usapang Wika’, we aim to convey the significance of the Filipino languages by way of engaging the general public especially the youth,” said Senator Loren Legarda.
The female senator even said that as an offshoot of this docu-series, the local governments can even create Usapang Wika language tours to include discussions on how their language started and was embraced by the community in order to enrich the knowledge of our youth, students and tourists.