According to the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF), there are about 130 indigenous languages that exist in the Philippines. Sadly, 39 of these are endangered and are at risk of being forgotten. For years, the KWF has been fighting to keep the Philippines' historical and cultural treasures—its diverse local languages and dialects—alive. And it continues to do it with its 2021 Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa theme, "Filipino at mga Katutubong Wika sa Dekolonisasyon ng Pag-iisip ng mga Pilipino."

"Tanging sa Filipino at mga katutubong wika sa Pilipinas mailalahad, mailalarawan, at maipapaliwanag ang ating identidad bilang mga Pilipino (Only through Filipino and the other indigenous languages in the Philippines can we truly express, describe, and explain our identity as Pilipino)," says KWF chairman Arthur Casanova.

As we celebrate the Philippines' colorful languages this August, we've asked Pinoy artists, fashion creatives, movers of the culinary scene, among others, here and abroad about their favorite word not only in Filipino but in the dialects that reflect their roots. In the digital age where other languages dominate over what is ours and local in many platforms, it is our duty to our country to recognize the beauty that lies in our languages, love and use them, and learn to stop thinking they are "baduy." Check out their top picks and maybe you can use them on your next social media post and even in your daily discourse.

"Mangan" is "to dine" in Ilocano. —PAOLO DUMLAO, nude artist

"Kwaderno" which means "notebook." I grew up always having one and all of the things in my mind I usually write down in it.—BESSIE BESANA, fashion designer

"Tadhana" a Filipino word meaning "destiny" or "fate."—MARINA BENIPAYO, actress

"Amping" is a word in the Visayan dialect which means “take care.” A short yet meaningful word that resounds genuine care and concern to whomever you say it to. —SAFA RODAS, head chef at L’attitude at Morpheus, Melco Resorts (City of Dreams Macau)

"Kaayo" (Cebuano term) means "goodness" or "kindness." It also means “very,” to be used as a superlative. It is the essence of what we do, which is to inspire goodness and to give our best in everything it is we decide to do. —MARGA NOGRALES, founder of Kaayo Modern Mindanao

My favorite Kapampangan word is "pamicalugud," which means "love for one another." Root word is "lugud," which means, "love." —JAM MELCHOR, chef and founder of Philippine Culinary Heritage Movement

"Dais-dais” in Batangas means "side by side," a happy kind of side by side, even if you’re in a cramped situation. —JC BUENDIA, president of Fashion and Designers Council of the Philippines

My favorite Aklanon word is “mahugod.” This trait in particular brings me so much pride. In Filipino the word for this particular characteristic is “masipag" or in English "hard-working, diligent (working energetically and devotedly)." Across the world, Filipinos are known for their resilience, adaptability, spirit, and hard work (and deeply rooted in Filipino culture) which is roughly what “mahugod” represents. Aklanon or Akeanon is an Austronesian language (Malayo-Polynesian family language) of the Bisayan subgroup spoken by the people of Aklan. —LESLEY MOBO, fashion designer

My favorite Filipino word has to be "lambing." It’s not uncommon or deep at all, and it’s something I heard a lot from my parents and family growing up. Roughly translated to English, it means “intense tenderness and affection.” But what I love about it is the way I can say this word to my loved ones and they know exactly how to show that tenderness and affection—whether it be through a simple hug or persistent doting. There’s just something so intimate and comforting with the word "lambing." —TSAMBOLERO, comic book creator

"Kasingkasing" in Davao and Bisaya means "heart." —TEETIN VILLANUEVA, theater actress

"Paglaum" is my favorite Waray word, which means "hope." Ang paborito kong salita sa wikang Filipino ay "katarungan." Ang kaugnayan nito sa isa't isa ay ang aking laban sa adbokasiya para sa Hustisyang Pangklima. Makalipas ang Yolanda, nagpinta ako ng mural sa harap mismo ng barkong sumadsad sa kalsada sa Barangay Anibong sa Tacloban City. Kasama ang isa pang survivor at ang aking kuya pininta namin ang salitang "paglaum" ("Paglaum" is my favorite Waray word, which means "hope." My favorite word in the Filipino language is "justice." The two are connected, for me, through my advocacy on Climate Justice. After Typhoon Yolanda left, I painted a mural on the ship that was washed on the road of Barangay Anibong in Tacloban City. With the other survivors and my brother, we painted the word "paglaum").

Makalipas ang dalawang taon, nagpunta ako sa Paris para makipagpulong at makilahok sa mga taong naglalayong maipatupad ang Paris Agreement. Ipininta ko sa isang pader ang mukha ng kaibigan kong pumanaw sa Yolanda. Iginuhit ko sa dibdib nya ang salitang justice. Makalipas naman ang apat na taon, ipina-tattoo ko ito sa aking sariling dibdib sa sulat na Baybayin (After two years, I went to Paris to join and meet with people who want to pursue the Paris Agreement. I painted on a wall a portrait of my friend who died due to Typhoon Yolanda, with the word justice on his chest. After four years, I had the word tattooed on my chest in but Baybayin. —A.G. SAÑO, muralist

I am from Albay in Bicol and my favorite word in our local dialect is “uragon.” In our language it means something really good or something extraordinary. I took great pride in having that word because I usually use this to motivate myself by saying “Uragon Ako,” which means “I am good or I can do it”—so I can make things possible even if it's hard. Though it means something different in other languages, it's something that I would say makes me really proud as a Bicolano. —JOJO BRAGAIS, shoe designer

I love how, here in my province (Atimonan, Quezon Province) we change some action words with -i at the end. For example: People would normally say "Buksan mo yung pinto" while here in Atimonan we can just say "Buksi ang pinto." You can also use it in different action words; "sarhan" to "sarhi," "kainin to kaini," "labhan to labhi," and so on. I don't know the reason behind it but I love the way we use it because it makes you end the words with a smile and a calming tone. If it's a word, not that it's my favorite, I love hearing the word "bala-bala (kunwari lang)" because it reminds me of my childhood. "Bala-bala" is often used when we're playing or making fun of a scenario. It's somehow our way of saying "I'm just going to act like..." and it works when you want to escape situations that you know you won't benefit from. For example: When we play tag we usually act tired so that we can have a short break from the game but in reality, we just don't want to be tagged. —IAN INOY, painter