'Takbo para sa Wika': Promoting the Filipino language in Queensland through running

Marathoner Sheryll Quimosing (top right) from the Gold Coast and parkrun enthusiast Camille Punzalan (bottom right) from Brisbane will lead "Takbo para sa Wika" in their communities on August 1, encouraging fellow Filipinos to celebrate and preserve their language while promoting health and fitness through running. Credit: Supplied by Camille Punzalan and Sheryll Quimosing

Inspired by their passion for running and marathon events, Brisbane and Gold Coast community leaders Camille Punzalan and Sheryll Quimosing launch "Takbo para sa Wika"—an initiative that brings together fitness, community, and the promotion of Filipino languages.

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Key Points

• The Filipino community in Queensland will hold "Takbo para sa Wika" on August 1 in Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
• Community leaders Camille Bianza Punzalan and Sheryll Quimosing will lead the free parkrun in celebration of the Philippine National Language Month.
• Through this initiative, they hope to inspire fellow Filipinos to celebrate and preserve their language while promoting healthy living and strengthening Filipino culture, identity, and community in Australia.

The initiative aims to encourage Filipinos across Queensland to stay active through running while celebrating and preserving their linguistic heritage.

We're all migrants here. If you're new, don't have friends yet, want to start running, or you're feeling homesick, you'll always have a community to run with—people who understand you and where you can freely speak our language. You're not alone.

Sheryll Quimosing, Gold Coast marathoner

Sheryll Quimosing (left) has completed 80 marathons so far, including the 102-kilometre Bataan Death March ultramarathon. Camille Punzalan (right) recently took up running and has participated in shorter-distance events, including the 10-kilometre Bridge to Brisbane couple of years ago. Credit: Supplied

Every August, the Philippines celebrates Buwan ng Wika (National Language Month). In 2026, the celebration carries the theme: "Filipino Language and AI: A Tool for Research and a Bridge to the Wealth of Information."

Even though we now call Australia home, I want our language to travel with us. With 35 Philippine languages already classified as endangered, it's more important than ever that we continue speaking, celebrating, and preserving our native languages for future generations.

Camille Bianca Punzalan, Brisbane Filipino community leader

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