FEU faculty judges highest honor in research in Filipino

Dr. Jorge Cuibillas (left), with two members of the panel of judges from Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF)’s Executive Committee, awards the winner of the dissertation category, Ferdinand P. Jarin. Courtesy of KWF

Faculty-judge promotes research in Filipino

One of Far Eastern University (FEU)’s faculty members from the Department of Language and Literature of the Institute of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Jorge Cuibillas, assumed his function as a judge for the 2026 Gawad Julian Cruz Balmaceda, considered the highest recognition given by the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) for outstanding academic research in Filipino.

With over 30 years of teaching experience at FEU, Cuibillas brought his extensive expertise in Filipino language and literature to the judging for the award, helping evaluate theses and dissertations which represent the finest scholarly work written in the national language. The award aims to promote the intellectualization and modernization of Filipino as a language of higher learning and academic discourse.

The Gawad Julian Cruz Balmaceda recognizes exceptional researches across various disciplines—including science, mathematics, social sciences, and humanities—written entirely in Filipino. Established in 2015, the award honors Julian Cruz Balmaceda (1885-1947), a prolific writer, scholar, and former editor of the Surian ng Wikang Pambansa (now KWF).

“Hindi lamang ito paalala sa sambayanang Pilipino kundi ito ay atas na gawing panghabambuhay na pagmamahal at pagtataguyod sa paggamit sa wikang pambansa bilang daluyan ng kaalaman, karunungan, at talino. (This is not just a reminder to the Filipino people but a mandate to make lifelong the love and advocacy for using the national language as a vehicle for knowledge, wisdom, and intelligence),” said Cubillas.

Cuibillas also sees the award as serving as a mark for every writer and researcher to further improve their works in Filipino.

“Nakita ko, sa pamamagitan Gawad Julian Cruz Balmaceda, ang patuloy na pag-adhika ng mga mag-aaral, guro, mananaliksik, iba't ibang organisasyon na nagtataguyod sa paggamit ng wikang Filipino... sa gitna ng maiinit na isyu at usapin mula sa [Department of Education/DepEd], [Commission on Higher Education/CHED], at iba pang kaugnay nito ang tungkol sa pagpapanatili ng Filipino sa loob ng akadamikong institusyon bilang asignatura at midyum ng pagtuturo. (Through the Gawad Julian Cruz Balmaceda, I saw the continued aspiration of students, teachers, researchers, and various organizations advocating for the use of Filipino... even amid heated discussions from DepEd, CHED, and other related agencies regarding the retention of Filipino in academic institutions as both a subject and medium of instruction),” he said.

“Ang wikang Filipino at panitikang Pilipino ay kapwa tumutulong sa paghubog ng pambansang kamalayan kasabay ang pagpapalaganap ng angkop at sapat na edukasyon, at nagbibigay ng boses sa sambayang Pilipino. (The Filipino language and Philippine literature both help in shaping national consciousness while spreading appropriate and adequate education, and give voice to the Filipino people,” said Cubillas.

For Cuibillas, the broader significance of Filipino language and literature extends beyond academic recognition.

This commitment to Filipino is reflected in FEU’s institutional support. Cuibillas expressed his gratitude for FEU’s support of Filipino as both a subject and medium of instruction. He noted that FEU is united in maintaining and advocating for Filipino as a subject and as a medium of instruction, and although there were issues when the K-12 program was implemented, these were resolved by FEU’s leadership and the language and literature faculty to ensure that Filipino remained in the university.

Cuibillas shared insights about what FEU students can gain from participating in competitions like the Gawad Julian Cruz Balmaceda. He emphasized that students can gain not only lessons and inspiration, but that through participation in this type of competition, “we should look at, learn about, examine, and analyze the capacity, ability, and knowledge of those interested in writing, researching, and submitting papers for publication using the Filipino language.”

Drawing from his extensive teaching experience, Cuibillas reflected on the opportunities and challenges ahead. He noted that while it is saddening that many students are gradually distancing themselves from Filipino, what is needed now is the enthusiasm of teaching—using various strategies to make students appreciate Filipino more. His message remains one of hope and collective action.

“Bilang guro... ang panawagan ko, tulong-tulong, o pagtulungan natin na patuloy na manatili ang pagmamahal at paggamit ng Filipino upang patuloy din tayong makapag-anyaya at makatulong sa paghubog ng mga bagong manunulat ngayon at sa hinaharap. (As a teacher... my appeal is, let us work together to continue maintaining the love and use of Filipino so that we can continue to encourage and help in shaping new writers now and in the future),” he said.

“Muli nating alalahanin si Julian Cruz Balmaceda bilang isang matibay at matatag na moog. Buo ang kaisipan at puso sa panitikan at wikang Filipino. (Let us once again remember Julian Cruz Balmaceda as a strong and steadfast foundation, with both mind and heart dedicated to literature and the Filipino language),” said Cubillas.