Achieving Millennium Development Goals through Language and

Music

Global competitiveness, international recognition, improved

livelihood, quality education, increased rate of employment,
peace and order, and economic development… - These are among the
objectives towards which our current government is geared into
achieving. However, the question remains: Is it possible to
attain these goals?

Famous personalities such as Lea Salonga, Charice Pempengco,

and even the most recently hailed 7-timer boxing champion Manny
“Pacman” Pacquiao, are just few of those who exhibited such
prowess to realize the aforesaid aspirations, and all these were
made possible through language and music.

Language and music have always played an important role in

bridging gaps in communication. As common language connects us in
understanding one another verbally, so does music that connects
us in identifying with our various emotions through rhythm and
melody.

How many times have certain songs of peace moved and united
different countries to stop wars, and encouraged millions of
people to join in promoting a common cause? To cite as an example
is Michael Jackson’s “Heal the World” and Bette Midler’s “From a
Distance” that stirred in each individual’s feeling the desire
for peace during the war between Iraq and Kuwait. Our own song
entitled “Magkaisa,” which was sung during the first EDSA
revolution, also produced the same effect as most Filipinos
joined hand in hand in putting an end to more or less 20 years of
dictatorship under Marcos’ regime. Our very own Lea Salonga who
played as Kim in the musicale Miss Saigon and even the Indie
films that gained global recognition are also manifestations of
the Filipinos’ talent in the field of theater and film-making.
How many times have our own anthem “Lupang Hinirang” unified the
hearts of Filipinos all around the world and ignited our
nationalistic pride as it has been sung several times during each
of Manny Pacquiao’s fights?

All the aforementioned examples are, certainly, evidences

that show how language and music can contribute in achieving the
millennium development goals. It is because of these proofs that
our country has eventually become known for a showcase of skills
and talents. Not only once were some of Filipino showbiz
personalities were called to portray Hollywood roles. Through
language and music, racial conflicts and indifferences have been
worked out. It is because of these that we have been freed from
the agony brought about by political warfare. It is because of
our ability to communicate and to amuse that there has been an
increasing demand for Filipino workers abroad thereby generating
increase in employment rate and generating funds for our national
treasury – a sure pavement towards economic development.

In his view of language, U.S. writer F. Scott Fitzgerald

once noted, “You can stroke people with words.” Expressing his
view on music, Yehudi Menuhin, a U.S. born British violinist,
once quoted that music “…creates order out of chaos; for rhythm
imposes unanimity upon the divergent, melody imposes continuity
upon the disjointed, and harmony imposes compatibility upon the
incongruous.” From their statements, we can deduce that language
and music can collaborate together as a channel to settle
conflicting interests. Once language, a verbal expression of
thoughts, is rightfully set as lyrics into music, the distance
that separates our differing cultures is reduced not only
linguistically, but also emotionally.

Achieving millennium development goals does not merely

entail being competent in demonstrating our skills in the work
field. Linguistic competence and aesthetic competence,
particularly in music, should also be taken into consideration.
The need to educate the young minds into using language and
appreciating music should also be addressed in order to prepare
them in contributing to the country’s welfare as they face the
challenging world ahead.

Claire C. Biagtan