Mahalin ang Sariling Wika: Exploring the Filipino Language Usage, Relevance, and Importance in the Academic Context as Perceived by Students

Abstract. This study aimed to explore how the Filipino language is perceived by senior high school students of Mindanao State University–Sulu, particularly in terms of its usage, relevance, and importance in the academic context. A case study research design was employed to allow an in-depth exploration of students’ perceptions and lived academic experiences within their specific learning environment. The participants included 5 Grade-12 students and 5 Grade-11 students from both the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and General Academic (GAS) strands, selected through purposive sampling to ensure that individuals with relevant academic exposure and communication experiences were included in the study. Data were gathered through semi-structured, face-to-face interviews with audio recordings, allowing participants to freely express their thoughts while still being guided by key questions. The data collected were then transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis to identify recurring patterns, similarities, and meaningful themes among the students’ responses. Findings revealed that Filipino functions as a medium of learning and academic engagement, facilitating comprehension, expression, and participation in classroom activities. Many students reported that the use of Filipino helps them better understand complex lessons, especially when concepts are difficult to grasp in English. It further argued that students’ understanding of lessons is closely tied to their language proficiency, which significantly influences their overall academic development, with those more familiar with Filipino demonstrating greater ease in expressing ideas, participating in discussions, and sometimes engaging in code-switching between Filipino and English as a strategy to bridge gaps in understanding. In addition, Filipino serves as a symbol of collective identity and national belonging, reinforcing cultural awareness and social cohesion among students. It also plays an important role in fostering inclusivity in classroom interactions, especially in multilingual settings where students come from diverse linguistic backgrounds. Overall, the study highlights that Filipino is both a vital educational tool and a powerful marker of cultural and national identity. Keywords: Code-Switching; Cultural Identity; Filipino Language; National Identity