“I was made aware of the news that GMA was interested on returning Spanish as an official language on that day that it actually happened actually, and I added it to Wikipedia and people began wondering if it was true. Well it is true, and I’m very happy with it…I’ve seen a lot of debates on the internet about this issue, although for some reason, it had not yet penetrated the news media or television in the Philippines. Many people were strongly opposed because they believed it would be un-nationalistic, but that’s ridiculous considering that Spanish is the language of our Filipino ancestors (and my grandparents,and aunts and uncles), the language of the Ilustrados that started the revolution, and the language that built the country. It shouldn’t have anything to do with nationalism, it has to do with the power of language, and how language helps a country’s economy. In the call center business alone, knowing how to speak Spanish automatically earns you a promotion. I just hope that the Philippines pushes forward with this, and no uneducated misguided nationalists do something else that will further push the economy of the Philippines further downward by opposing to one of the smartest political, business, tourism, cultural, and economic opportunities that Philippines has ever had in a long time - taking advantage of OUR Spanish language to improve the Philippine economy.“

“Marian Rivera was born in Madrid, Spain. Her father is Spanish, and the interview with Jessica Soho said that she knows how to speak Spanish, but the way she spoke it in the interview with the incorrect and unmatching masculine noun/feminine adjective “esto es chica” instead of “esto es chico” and “un poquito problemo” instead of “un poquito problema”, anybody can tell that Marian Rivera doesn’t really speak Spanish, she actually speaks Chabacano, creole Spanish, which is logical since she grew up in Cavite, where her mom’s family is from.”

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Now, what Filipino in his or her right mind would ask such an insulting question? Spanish was the original official language of our country for more than three centuries. I say, 300 friggin’ years is more than enough, would you agree? I mean, there are already thousands of Spanish loan words in various Philippine languages and most colleges also offer Spanish language courses as an elective. So what’s the point in making it official again?

Making Spanish as our official language again is one thing but assuming that it can help the economy of the Philippines, well, that is quite vainglorious if not doltish. Filipinos should learn to speak Spanish because it’ll pave the way for a lot of job openings for Spanish-speaking agents in the call center industry? Why thank! That definitely raised our hopes up about our future careers! Perhaps we can also be servants for Spanish employers abroad? And why not throw in some more of those Spanish-speaking caregivers to complete the stereotype.   

“I can speak and understand Spanish, and I can understand Tagalog, but I can’t speak it that well…” - Filipino Cultured 

So much talk about the frustrating lack of concern from Filipinos to embrace Spanish but this author can’t even speak Tagalog well?! That betrays the author’s claim for national pride and heritage, doesn’t it? Verguenza tamien boh! Parar engrandice na quirre boh queda Filipino! Yes, I can speak Chavacano and I can speak and understand Castilian. I can also speak Tagalog and English. All these languages…I can speak fluently. That’s me telling you to embrace your Filipino roots…I mean…your mixed Malay heritage!