Where to Find Albine: Bite-Sized Lessons for Members, YouTube, and the New Workbook for Keeping Your Tagalog Alive

I’m dedicated to working with learners of the Tagalog language. These individuals are dynamic and self-motivated, possessing a basic understanding of Tagalog but concerned about losing their skills. They are part of the Filipino diaspora or spouses of Filipino natives. As a native Filipino myself who found love and a sense of belonging in the United States, I feel compelled to teach the language and guide them through their immersion journey, fostering accountability and bridging the gap to cultural understanding.

People will discover me across various media formats, particularly through the internet. These contents can be referred to as:

• Bábasahín (reading material)
• Pánoorín (video)
• Pátunugin (audio)
• Takdáng Gawain (workbooks)

Keep Your Tagalog Alive, Enjoy Our Existing Online Resources

The babasahín materials include newsletters that are currently sent directly through email. However, it would be great to distribute them in print as well. I like the idea of creating physical materials for learners to obtain. What are your thoughts on that?

In addition to newsletters, I also publish bite sized lessons that are carefully curated in our website. The cover page Tagalog Language is just one of the many examples.

Uploading Tagalog Tutorial Videos, Breaking My Break from YouTube

It’s also crucial to show up on video. I’m comfortable creating pánoorín materials that can be uploaded to YouTube. Perhaps you’re one of those who discovered me on my YouTube channel, and I’m delighted about this connection. YouTube was the first platform where I appeared online to teach Tagalog to people. I hope you’ve noticed that I’m gradually returning to YouTube.

I suspended my live tutorials after my Nanay passed away in 2022. Grief had a profound impact on me, and that was also the year when I experienced menopause. My health and family life were in turmoil, leaving me feeling agitated, confused, and unable to make decisions. The family drama from the Philippine side was overwhelming, which is why I decided to take a break from social media in 2023. For the past four years, I’ve been focusing on surrendering to my emotions, finding peace, and taking small steps towards nurturing my creativity.

It’s not easy to rise above chaos, and I hope you can sense that life is often challenging. Since we've been seeing each other like this for quite a while now, I believe you’re the first to allow me to take a break and patiently wait until the right time for me to return—or else you've already unsubscribed. ☺️

By the way, I've tried to find a therapist through an established online platform, but it didn’t work for me. It only added to my anxiety, and I thought the therapists I spoke with needed therapy themselves. 😅 I can write more about that later when I feel like it’s necessary.

Podcasting and Reaching Wider Audience

Another format that I love to create is the patunugin materials. During the months when I took a break from YouTube, I decided to venture into the world of podcasts. While grieving, producing audio-only content proved to be a more manageable task. I found joy in uploading my content on a platform that was then called Anchor. It was a simple, free-to-use platform that allowed RSS links (which you’ll understand if you’re tech-savvy). Additionally, my content was discoverable by other podcast distributors like Apple Podcast and Google Podcast (which is now defunct).

After a while, Anchor was acquired by Spotify. Since then, I’ve lost interest in uploading my patunugin files. I don’t like the idea of joining the monetization schemes controlled by large tech platforms.

I intend to resume podcasting. However, I recognize that this will be a significant undertaking. First, I plan to reclaim my Spotify account and then relocate my content to another platform. I’m just beginning to block my calendar for 2027, and this is going to be a major project for the upcoming year.

Current Project: Developing Tools to Preserve the Tagalog Language

I’m currently working on various tools for someone like you who wants to keep Tagalog alive. I love designing workbooks (takdáng gawain) for Tagalog learners. Last week, I was busy communicating with my book printer during the proofreading process. I had to go through several exchanges with them. So, please stay tuned for the related stories coming up in the next few days. I’ll keep you updated.

Growing Tagalog Learning Resources: Reading, Watching, Listening, and Doing

Therefore, the journey continues—wherever you love to learn, Aralin World is growing to meet you there. For now, babasahín materials, including newsletters and bite-sized lessons, are currently distributed via email and website. I'm also working on returning to YouTube for pánoorín materials and I plan to resume podcasting for patunugin materials, while also designing workbooks (takdáng gawain) for Aralin World learners. Reading, watching, listening, doing: every path leads you deeper into Tagalog, and I can't wait to walk with you.

Maraming salamat for being part of this world!

xoxo
Albine Bodo