ALL ABOUT BAYBAYIN - Episode 2: The History of Baybayin

Summary

This video delves into the history and origins of Baybayin, the ancient Philippine script. Originating from the Tagalog 'bye-bye', it's believed to have Indian roots but also shares similarities with Javanese and Cham scripts. Evidence suggests a sophisticated writing system existed in the Philippines as early as 900 A.D., with widespread literacy among Filipinos, including women, before Spanish colonization. The Spanish used Baybayin to spread Christianity, introducing the 'kuruskal' to adapt the script to Spanish phonetics. Despite theories of decline due to Spanish suppression, Baybayin persists in modern Philippine culture, from currency to national symbols, and was officially recognized as the national writing system in 2018.

Takeaways

• 📚 The video discusses the history of Baybayin, a pre-Hispanic Philippine writing system.
• 🌐 Baybayin is believed to have originated from the Tagalog word 'bye-bye', and might have been influenced by Indian scripts during the Indianization of Southeast Asia.
• 📜 The script was used to write on palm leaves and bamboo, which explains its characteristic curved lines.
• 👀 Spanish explorers were surprised to find an existing writing system in the Philippines, contrary to their expectations of 'savages' and 'barbarians'.
• 📖 Literacy in Baybayin was widespread, even among women, who were noted to be more adept at reading and writing than men.
• 📚 The Spanish used Baybayin to spread Christianity, translating catechism into the script in 1620, which introduced the 'kruskudlit' to represent consonants without vowels.
• 🔥 The decline of Baybayin is attributed to Spanish colonization, with theories suggesting the burning of documents and the fading use as the Latin alphabet was adopted.
• 🔍 Despite its decline, Baybayin has not completely disappeared, with modern uses in logos, passports, currency, and official documents.
• 🏛 The Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the National Museum all incorporate Baybayin in their logos.
• 🗺 Baybayin is also featured on the Philippine passport and currency, symbolizing national identity and heritage.
• 🎓 In 2018, Baybayin was officially recognized as the national writing system of the Philippines, with efforts to preserve and promote it as part of the country's cultural heritage.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the video series 'All About Baybayin'?

The main purpose of the 'All About Baybayin' series is to answer commonly asked questions about Baybayin, focusing on its history, significance, and how it has been used in the Philippines.

What is the most popular theory regarding the origin of Baybayin?

The most popular theory is that Baybayin originated from India during the Indianization of Southeast Asia, and it is considered part of the family of Brahminic scripts.

What evidence supports the existence of a writing system in the Philippines before the arrival of the Spanish?

A copper plate bearing the Kaobi script, believed to be from 900 A.D., was found in Laguna, proving that a writing system was already present in the Philippines before the Spanish era.

How did the Spanish friars Pedro Cerino and Antonio de Maga describe the literacy rate in the Philippines upon their arrival?

They noted that it was harder to find someone who couldn't read and write, indicating a high literacy rate in the Philippines at that time.

Why did the Spanish introduce the 'kuruskal' in Baybayin?

The Spanish introduced the 'kuruskal' to represent a consonant sound without a vowel in Baybayin, which was necessary for translating certain Spanish words into the script.

What is the significance of the book of catechism published in 1620 in the Philippines?

The book of catechism published in 1620 was significant because it was the first time that the Baybayin script was used alongside the Latin alphabet, and it introduced the 'kuruskal' for consonant-only representation.

What is the most commonly accepted theory regarding the decline of Baybayin?

The most commonly accepted theory is that Baybayin simply faded out of use as the Spanish colonization progressed and people transitioned to the Latin alphabet.

Why do some scholars believe that the Spanish may have burned Baybayin documents?

Some scholars suggest that the Spanish may have burned Baybayin documents that contained spells or curses, as these would go against the Christianity they were trying to spread.

How is Baybayin still present in modern-day Philippines?

Baybayin is still present in logos of institutions like the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the National Museum, as well as in the design of the Philippine passport and currency.

What does the Baybayin character 'Ka' represent in the logos of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the Armed Forces of the Philippines?

In the Cultural Center of the Philippines, 'Ka' represents 'katotohanan, kagandahan,' or truth and beauty, while in the Armed Forces of the Philippines, it represents 'kalayaan,' or freedom.

What was the significance of Baybayin being approved as the national writing system of the Philippines in 2018?

The approval of Baybayin as the national writing system in 2018 signifies the government's commitment to preserve and promote Baybayin as part of the cultural and national heritage of the Philippines.