CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan — Mayor Atty. Christian D. Natividad led the City Government of Malolos in celebrating Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa 2026 this August, with the theme: “Wikang Filipino at AI: Kasangkapan sa Pananaliksik at Tulay sa Yaman ng Impormasyon” (“Filipino Language and AI: A Tool for Research and a Bridge to the Wealth of Information”).

In his official message during the opening of the city’s month-long celebration, Mayor Natividad emphasized that Malolos — the historic site of the First Philippine Republic — has a special duty to uphold, enrich, and promote the Filipino language.

“Dito sa Malolos, kung saan isinilang ang Unang Republika ng Pilipinas, nararapat lamang na ating yakapin at palakasin ang ating sariling wika — hindi lamang bilang wika ng nakaraan, kundi bilang wika ng hinaharap.”

“Sa panahon ng artificial intelligence at mabilis na pagbabago ng teknolohiya, ang wikang Filipino ang mananatiling kaluluwa ng ating bayan. Gamitin natin ang teknolohiya upang palawakin ang kaalaman at pag-unawa, ngunit huwag nating kalimutan ang wikang nagbubuklod sa atin bilang isang bansa.” — Mayor Christian D. Natividad

The mayor noted that the 2026 theme, set by the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF), challenges Filipinos to harness emerging technologies like AI to strengthen the national language rather than replace it. He called on educators, students, public servants, and the youth to continue using Filipino in schools, offices, media, and digital platforms.

The city government organized various activities throughout August, including essay writing contests, poetry recitals, and cultural performances highlighting Bulacan’s literary heritage — including the works of Marcelo H. del Pilar, the province’s pride and the “Father of Philippine Journalism,” whose birth anniversary on August 30 is also observed as National Press Freedom Day.

Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa is observed every August by virtue of Proclamation No. 1041 (1997), honoring Manuel L. Quezon, the “Ama ng Wikang Pambansa,” born August 19, 1878.