Cover image via Wil Dasovich
Do you love our Filipino language as much as this foreigner does?
Image via Tsong and Tsonggo
First of all, who is Wil Dasovich?
As posted on his [website] (http://www.wildasovich.com), Wil Dasovich is a mixed Croatian Filipino and was born and raised outside of San Francisco, California. After graduating with a degree in business, he chose to travel around Southeast Asia, most notably the Philippines. Currently, he is an actor, model and host working in the Philippines.
His first ever YouTube video, "[10 hours of walking in Manila] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yop4–0IeGM)", was a social experiment about catcalling in the Philippines showing him and his friend walking around Manila.
Image via Wil Dasovich / Tsong and Tsonggo
After his first video got viral, he started vlogging a series called "[The Art of Tagalog] (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDMQtVWbVdfGUYKnkKsaqvlWU4lw4hjzc)"
His YouTube videos are so funny, *maka-masa*, and true to the Filipino culture that the *Pinoy* audience can't help but laugh and subscribe to his channel [Tsong and Tsonggo] (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSir19L_390tAg4IbCggvCg)!
"I'm trying to make it *pauso* (trend) that *Tagalog* is cool, man. *Filipino* is cool, all the different styles of *Filipino*: *Salitang Kalye*, *Bekinese*, *malalim*, the true *Tagalog*, *makata*. **It's an ever-evolving language**. There's always different styles, and it's rich in culture. You should be really proud of your own language," Wil said, according to [Pacifiqa] (http://www.pacifiqa.com).
Image via Wil Dasovich / Tsong and Tsonggo
Because of his fluency in Bekinese, people started doubting his sexuality. But this guy is so Pinoy at heart and knows how to answer a la "Mister Universe"
"That never really frightened me because I'm comfortable with my sexuality and I'm not afraid to speak the *beki* language. Even if people did think I was gay, I wouldn't be offended because I don't think being gay is a negative thing at all. I'm a big believer in equality. I wanna show that you shouldn't be ashamed of anything. Bekinese is another side of *Tagalog* that I wanna show people and make them aware of it. The play of words is really fun," he said, according to [Pacifiqa] (http://www.pacifiqa.com).
Image via Wil Dasovich / Tsong and Tsonggo
Apart from Beki language, Dasovich is also learning the Salitang Batangas and Salitang Kalye!
Image via Wil Dasovich / Tsong and Tsonggo
He even befriended one of the best Filipino actors and comedians, Leo Martinez, just to learn it! They made a tutorial [skit video] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2rQiiWPC3c) showing how to speak *Tagalog* like a true Batangueño featuring Martinez as Congressman Manik Manaog. This is part 9 of his "Art of *Tagalog*" Series.
His opinion about the Filipinos speaking in fluent English?
"*Puro Inglesero…Ang karamihan sa mga tao dito ay Inglesero!* Or less, *dito sa* Metro Manila with what I've experienced. *Napakahirap matutunan ang isang lenggwahe kapag hindi 'yan ginagamit. Akalain mo ito: may mga kakilala akong mga Pilipino na lumaki dito sa Pinas ta's hindi pa marunong mag-Tagalog. Ano ba yan? Nakakapagtataka,*" said Dasovich in his [vlog] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vypwLIz4PAY).
Translation: "All of them are English speakers…most of the people here are English-speaking. Or less, here in Metro Manila with what I've experienced. It's so hard to learn a language if you're not using it. Can you believe this: I know some Filipinos who grew up here in the Philippines and they don't even know how to speak Tagalog. What is that? Mind-boggling," said Dasovich in his [vlog] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vypwLIz4PAY).
Image via Wil Dasovich / Tsong and Tsonggo
His passion to learn the different languages in the Philippines makes him admirable!
"It's pretty crazy. Sometimes I wanna tell them, 'I think you're pretending.' *Pero minsan naiinis ako sa kanila* 'cause you've been here your entire life, but you don't even speak *Filipino*. *Ito 'yung lenggwahe niyo*, this should be your first language. I just wanted to show my perspective *bilang isang banyaga na natututo ng Tagalog* that other people don't really get. No one's really talked about this and broke down *Tagalog* from a foreigner's perspective," he said, as reported by [Pacifiqa] (http://www.pacifiqa.com).
Image via Wil Dasovich / Tsong and Tsonggo
Maraming salamat, Wil, for shedding some light on this issue. Marahil ang iba ay hindi na sanay o nakalimot na sa paglipas ng panahon. Pero sana'y hindi nila ipagpalit ang sarili nating wika para sa wikang Ingles. Mabuhay ka, Wil!
Image via Wil Dasovich / Tsong and Tsonggo
Challenge: Starting today, translate every English word that will come out of your mouth into Filipino! Game? If Wil can do it, so can you!
Image via Wil Dasovich / Tsong and Tsonggo
