EYE OPENER
Preserve the Hiligaynon language
Kiniray-a dialect was then spoken by the Ati, the dark aborigines of Pan hay (Panay) as described by Legaspi “en esta isla Panhay.” Somewhere in 1210, the Borneans led by ten datus known as the ten datus of Madiaas escaped persecution in their native land Borneo. The oppressive rule of Datu Makatunao of Borneo led the Bornean rulers’ escape south and finally first landed in Sarawagan river in San Joaquin but later moved to Malandog, Hamtik, Antique, where the shore was favorable to the Bornean seafarers.
According to some historians, Kinaray-a and some Bornean dialect were merged and Hiligaynon reportedly suited the inhabitants of Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, Guimaras and Negros Occidental. When Aklan became an independent province from Capiz after World War II, the dialect also was spoken although the Aklanons have their own native dialect which may have been influenced by the aborigines of Panay. Kiniray-a expanded into Hiligaynon, the dialect which today is understood clearly by residents of Panay, Guimaras and Negros Occidental and other provinces in Mindanao and Luzon where there are Ilonggo inhabitants.
When abroad, OFWs and other workers from Western Visayas call themselves Ilonggos and they converse in Hiligaynon dialect. There are many poems, short stories, dramas etc. written in Hiligaynon composed and authored by Iloilo writers, poets, dramatists and stage performers. This book is also useful to foreigners studying in Western Visayas like the Koreans, Singaporeans, Indians, and other foreign students. Hiligaynon language is alive and endearing and mostly spoken in homes, gatherings, churches, in schools, and other meetings where the entire local audience understands and can contribute their piece of dissent or agreement. While the Cebuanos are loyal and endeared to their dialect, there is no reason why Hiligaynon should not be patronized by the Ilonggos wherever they are on this planet.
A number of Spanish words have been integrated to the Ilonggo or Hiligaynon dialect which the author of the English-Visayan (Ilonggo) Dictionary, the late Jose E. Yap, said had been seemingly accepted. But veteran Hiligaynon magazine writers avoid the use of some Spanish words in their Hiligaynon stories. The unacceptable insertion of some English words in regular broadcast over radio and television may not be acceptable to them. Some apprentice/new radio announcers unintentionally use a number of English words in their broadcast since probably they could not find a fitting word in Hiligaynon or sometimes due to exigency of the broadcast or announcement, they have little time to research. Radio and television broadcasters should be the ones to patronize the Hiligaynon language as they are the best agents to propagate the native language to their listeners and the coming generation. They can readily get a copy of the Ilonggo dialect dictionary and the Hiligaynon language book in bookstores.
It is very interesting to note that St. Paul University Iloilo under the leadership of Sr. President Carolina Agravante, SPC is offering a subject in Hiligaynon. Western Visayas State University has also a subject in Hiligaynon. It is hopefully prayed that other Iloilo schools will offer a subject in Hiligaynon to preserve the language which many Ilonggos like to speak even if they are in other countries. Many of St. Paul University Iloilo graduates are given priority in local and national newspapers and magazines such as Hublas, Yuhum and Hiligaynon. Let’s preserve the Hiligaynon dialect even while traveling abroad.*
