‘MAAYONG ADLAW!’ Cebu City dad pushes for use of Cebuano language in establishments

Local

IN AIRPORTS, hotels, and restaurants abroad, travelers are greeted with “Konnichiwa,” “Aloha,” or “Hola.” But here in Cebu, how often do we hear “Maayong adlaw” in business establishments?

Councilor Joel Garganera raised this question during the Cebu City Council’s session on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, as he urged local businesses to use Cebuano language or Bisaya in daily transactions.

“Kalami paminawon sa paglitok sa atong kaugalingong pinulongan nga Bisaya,” he said.

Garganera, who chairs the Committee on Heritage Preservation and Conservation, pointed out how other nations take pride in their native tongues and seamlessly incorporate them into daily interactions.

“In Tagalog, manghugas ng mukha, manghugas ng kamay, at manghugas ng paa. But in Bisaya, manghilam-os, manghunaw, ug manghimasa. Asa ka ana?” he said.

The initiative, however, is purely voluntary, with no penalties for non-compliance. Garganera stressed that the goal is not to impose but to cultivate appreciation for the language.

The councilor recalled a 2024 meeting with the Hotels, Resorts, and Restaurants Association of Cebu (HRRAC) and local governments of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu, where stakeholders expressed support for integrating Bisaya into their industries.

He also pointed to his 2020 Heritage Protection and Preservation Ordinance, which protects cultural sites in Cebu City. But heritage, he reminded, is not just about places, it is also about language.

During the session, he introduced a proposed ordinance focused on preserving Bisaya through music.

The council gave its nod to Garganera’s motion, officially backing his call for Bisaya to be used more prominently in industries such as transportation, malls, restaurants, and delivery services.(MyTVCebu)