ALL ABOUT BAYBAYIN - Episode 2: The History of Baybayin

Francesca Palabrica

8 Sept 202012:36

Summary

TLDRThis 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.

Outlines

00:00

📜 The Origins and History of Baybayin Script

This paragraph delves into the origins of Baybayin, a pre-Hispanic Philippine writing system. It discusses various theories about its roots, including the possibility that it was derived from the Tagalog word 'bye-bye' or influenced by Indian scripts during the Indianization of Southeast Asia. The paragraph also mentions the discovery of a copper plate with the Kaobi script dating back to 900 A.D., indicating an existing writing system in the Philippines prior to Spanish colonization. The script was traditionally written on palm leaves and bamboo, which explains its characteristic curved lines. The Spanish friars' observations on the prevalence of literacy among Filipinos, including women, are highlighted, along with the Spanish attempts to impose their ideals on local society.

05:01

🔠 The Evolution and Decline of Baybayin

This section explores the evolution of Baybayin, particularly the introduction of the 'kuruskal' or 'cruz' symbol, which allowed for the representation of consonants without vowels, facilitating the translation of Spanish words into Baybayin. The paragraph discusses the significance of the first catechism book published in the Philippines in 1620, which used both Latin and Baybayin scripts. The decline of Baybayin is attributed to various theories, including the unverified claim of Spanish friars burning Baybayin documents and the gradual fading of the script as the Spanish colonization progressed and the Latin alphabet became more prevalent. The paragraph also notes the perishable nature of the materials used for writing Baybayin, which contributed to its decline.

10:01

🇵🇭 The Resurgence and Modern Usage of Baybayin

The final paragraph highlights the resurgence and modern usage of Baybayin in the Philippines. It mentions the script's presence in various national symbols and institutions, such as the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the National Museum. Baybayin is also found on the Philippine passport and currency, showcasing its significance in the country's cultural heritage. The paragraph concludes with the official recognition of Baybayin as the national writing system of the Philippines in 2018, emphasizing the efforts to preserve and promote this historical script as part of the national identity.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Baybayin

Baybayin, also known as Alibata, is an ancient Philippine script. It is central to the video's theme as it explores the history and cultural significance of this writing system. The script is part of the Brahminic family and is believed to have originated from India or possibly Java or the Champa Kingdom. In the video, Baybayin is discussed in the context of its discovery by Spanish conquistadors, its decline, and its modern-day resurgence in logos and official documents.

💡Indianization of Southeast Asia

This term refers to the historical period when Indian cultural, religious, and political influences spread to Southeast Asia. In the video, it is mentioned as a possible source of the Baybayin script, indicating that cultural exchanges in the region contributed to the development of local writing systems like Baybayin.

💡Kaobi script

The Kaobi script is an ancient writing system inscribed on a copper plate found in Laguna, Philippines, dating back to 900 A.D. The video uses this script as evidence of a pre-Hispanic writing system, showcasing the advanced nature of the Filipino society before the arrival of the Spanish.

💡Miguel López de Legazpi

Miguel López de Legazpi was a Spanish conquistador who arrived in Cebu in 1571. The video mentions his astonishment at discovering the Baybayin script, highlighting the unexpected sophistication of the indigenous people's culture and literacy.

💡Spanish colonization

Spanish colonization refers to the period of Spanish rule over the Philippines, which began in the 16th century. The video discusses how the Spanish used Baybayin to spread Christianity and how this colonization may have contributed to the decline of the script's use.

💡Cruz Quedada

The Cruz Quedada, or 'remaining cross,' is a diacritic used in Baybayin to denote a consonant without its accompanying vowel. The video explains its introduction by the Spanish to accommodate the translation of Spanish words into Baybayin, marking a significant adaptation in the script's usage.

💡Catechism

A catechism is a summary of Christian doctrine, used for teaching and instructing the faith. The video mentions a 1620 catechism book that was written in both Latin and Baybayin, which was crucial for the understanding and spread of Christianity among the Filipinos.

💡Literacy

Literacy, in the context of the video, refers to the widespread ability to read and write among the Filipinos before Spanish colonization. It is highlighted that both men and women were literate, with women possibly being even more proficient, challenging the Spanish friars' perceptions.

💡Katipunan

The Katipunan was a secret revolutionary society against Spanish rule in the Philippines. The video mentions its representation in the Armed Forces of the Philippines' coat of arms using the Baybayin character 'ka,' symbolizing the fight for 'kalayaan' or freedom.

💡Cultural Center of the Philippines

The Cultural Center of the Philippines is an institution that promotes Filipino culture and arts. The video explains the significance of its logo, which incorporates the Baybayin character 'ka' to represent 'katotohanan, kagandahan, at kagaligaan' or truth, beauty, and goodness.

💡National Museum

The National Museum of the Philippines, referred to as 'Pambansang Museo' in the video, uses Baybayin in its logo to represent 'pamana' or heritage. This usage signifies the recognition and preservation of Baybayin as part of the country's cultural heritage.

💡Philippine currency

The video mentions the incorporation of Baybayin in the design of the Philippine currency, specifically the 100 peso bill and coins, which feature the word 'Filipino' written in Baybayin. This inclusion reflects the script's significance in national identity and pride.

Highlights

Introduction to the series 'All About Baybayin' aimed at answering common questions about the script.

Exploration of the history of Baybayin, the ancient Philippine script.

Theories on the origin of Baybayin, including its possible Indian roots and the Indianization of Southeast Asia.

The discovery of the Laguna Copperplate Inscription, dating back to 900 A.D., as evidence of an early writing system in the Philippines.

Miguel López de Legazpi's surprise at the existence of a writing system in the Philippines upon his arrival in 1571.

Baybayin's traditional medium of palm leaves and bamboo, which influenced its characteristic curved lines.

The widespread literacy in Baybayin among Filipinos, including women, noted by Spanish friars Pedro Cerino and Antonio de Morga.

Francisco de Santa Inés' explanation for women's proficiency in Baybayin, suggesting their use of it in devotion and other activities.

The Spanish conquest of the Philippines using both military force and religious conversion, impacting the use of Baybayin.

The 1620 publication of a catechism in both Latin and Baybayin, marking the first use of the Kruskal (consonant-only symbol) in the script.

Theories surrounding the decline of Baybayin, including the possibility of Spanish destruction of documents.

Hector Santos' suggestion that Baybayin may have been used for spells or curses, potentially leading to its decline.

The gradual fading of Baybayin as the Spanish colonization progressed and the Latin alphabet became more prevalent.

The preservation of Baybayin on perishable materials like palm leaves and bamboo, which have since decayed.

Contemporary uses of Baybayin in logos and emblems, such as the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Inclusion of Baybayin in the Philippine passport and currency, showcasing its continued relevance in national identity.

Jose Rizal's use of Baybayin in his works, highlighting its historical significance in Philippine literature.

The University of Santo Tomas' collection of Baybayin scripts, representing the largest collection in the world.

The official recognition of Baybayin as the national writing system of the Philippines in 2018, under House Bill 1022.