The Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) will continue its efforts to standardize and intellectualize the Filipino language, according to Commissioner Arthur Casanova.

He made the statement during the recent Gawad Julian Cruz Balmaseda, held at the Romualdez Hall, 2/F Watson Building, 1610 Jose P. Laurel Street in San Miguel, Manila, on January 28.

Casanova noted that the Gawad Julian Cruz Balmaseda serves as an example of KWF’s ongoing efforts to further intellectualize the Filipino language. He emphasized that Filipino has reached a high level of intellectualization, and KWF remains committed to advancing it even further.

During the 2025 Gawad Julian Cruz Balmaseda program, Mariyel Hiyas Liwanag, PhD, received P100,000, a plaque, and a medal for her dissertation at De La Salle University – Manila, titled “Isabuhay: Isang Larong Disenyo para sa Diskurso ng mga Wikang Katutubo,” which was recognized as the best dissertation of 2025.

Kristine Mae Nares also received P100,000, a plaque, and a medal for her master’s thesis at Bicol University, titled “Pagmamapa ng Kalinangang Bayan ng Munisipalidad ng Guinobatan, Albay,” which was honored as the best thesis of 2025.

Casanova also shared that part of KWF’s ongoing advocacy for the intellectualization of the Filipino language includes the agency’s continuous efforts to create and revise dictionaries—tangible evidence of how the Filipino language is cherished, valued, and used by Filipinos.

KWF Commissioner Benjamin Mendillo Jr. added that Balmaseda Day celebrates exceptional research that is timely, relevant, and promotes critical thinking, using language that is easily understood by the public, and helping elevate the role of Filipino in academic research.

On the other hand, KWF Commissioner Carmelita Abdurahman encouraged future researchers to use Filipino as the medium for their work, as this will further promote the language’s intellectualization.

The Gawad Julian Cruz Balmaseda is the highest award presented by KWF for outstanding theses and dissertations in fields such as science, mathematics, social sciences, and other related disciplines using the Filipino language.

Julian Cruz Balmaseda (Jan. 28, 1885 – Sept. 18, 1947) is considered one of the pillars of Filipino literature due to his significant contributions to the country’s literary heritage.