Preserving our cultural heritage: The revival of Baybayin

In the tapestry of cultural observances, August unfurls as a month of distinct significance in the Philippines.

It marks the celebration of National Language Month, known as "Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa," a unique tribute to the nation's linguistic heritage that sets the Philippines apart as the only country globally to dedicate an entire month to the commemoration of its national language. This celebration, however, isn't a solitary nod to Filipino alone; it extends its embrace to encompass the myriad of approximately 200 languages and dialects spoken across the archipelago.

As we revel in our linguistic diversity, let us explore how our linguistic tapestry weaves into our history, identity and cultural heritage.

At the heart of National Language Month lies an acknowledgment that language isn't solely a conduit of communication but a repository of culture, history and values. While we commemorate Filipino as the national language, we also honor the symphony of tongues that echo through our land.

Enshrined within the folds of the 1987 Constitution is the recognition that our national language is Filipino, woven into the fabric of our legal and cultural framework.

Yet, August isn't only the month of linguistic tribute—it is also designated as History Month, offering us a platform to traverse the corridors of time and unearth fragments of our past.

Within this historical reverie, one finds the captivating story of Baybayin, a pre-Spanish writing system that flourished as an embodiment of communication, culture and connection.

Baybayin literally means "to syllabicate" in Filipino. For the Japanese, they have their own Kanji, Katakana, and Hiragana. For China, they have the Han characters. The same is true for Korea (Hangul) and Thailand (Sukothai Script). We should be proud since, together with our neighbors, we developed our own writing system.

However, the Spanish colonizers instructed the Filipinos to use the Latin alphabet, which became institutionalized all over the country until Baybayin was gradually forgotten. Now, Baybayin is under threat of becoming extinct.

Baybayin was used primarily for government record-keeping purposes, for personal correspondence, and trade. This was also used during rituals and ceremonies.

The existence of Baybayin is significant since it shows the development of our pre-Hispanic society—that a writing system of communication existed among the people and in various communities. Before Spain colonized the Philippines, there were reportedly at least 16 different writing systems in use by early Filipinos.

An illuminating example of Baybayin's role can be found in the pages of the book "Doctrina Cristiana," composed in 1593 and utilizing Baybayin, Spanish, and Tagalog. This literary relic wasn't merely a compilation of text; it served as a beacon of Christian evangelization, containing essential prayers, including the Lord's Prayer, Hail Mary, and the Creed. Authored by Fray Juan De Plasencia, this invaluable work encapsulates the intersection of faith, culture, and language.

It is unfortunate, however, that the Doctrina Cristiana, a historical treasure, is lost in the hands of the Filipinos. While King Philip II granted a license for the printing of the book due to its importance in Spain’s evangelization efforts, all copies, however, disappeared until a copy surfaced in Paris in 1946.

Lessing J. Rosenwald, a book collector, purchased the only copy. Upon his death, however, he bequeathed his entire book collection to the United States Library of Congress, where it rests today. There are current efforts by our government to recover the Doctrina Cristiana. This priceless book is evidence that Baybayin was widely used before and during the Spanish colonial period.

Our historical claim for the book should be recognized by the US Congress, and just like the Bells of Balanggiga, it has to be returned to the Philippines as part of our colorful history.

There are independent initiatives by concerned Filipinos to revive the Baybayin writing system. During the previous Congress, there was an initiative from the House of Representatives to promote, protect, and preserve Baybayin and other Philippine indigenous and traditional writing systems as part of the country’s cultural treasures.

The proposed bill for the recognition of Baybayin is a step further since the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) have included Baybayin in the education curricula. It was also proposed that Baybayin become an elective subject in higher education. Why not? If French, Spanish, and other languages are made elective subjects in senior high school and college, Baybayin should be allowed, too. Sadly, though, the priority today is the study of various foreign languages with the objective of learning them for work abroad. There are even free courses that encourage language education, such as in Japanese, Chinese, and Spanish, among others.

Historically, the Katipunan emblazoned its flags with the Baybayin symbol of "ka", which stands not just for "Katipunan" but also for "Kalayaan." The Philippine Army also uses the same Baybayin character in its logo.

It is quite interesting to note that in the absence of a law or a policy recognizing or encouraging the use of Baybayin, there are initiatives from various sectors to revive Baybayin. There are local and foreign Filipinos who advocate for its use, having been exposed to and amazed at how other countries continue to use their written language in their communications, including street signage. There are artists who use Baybayin for their murals and graffiti art. Flags of organizations, for example, use Baybayin as an emblem. Abroad, there are migrant Filipinos who take the initiative to popularize and propagate Baybayin as a Filipino heritage. They travel to various places to lecture about Baybayin and its significance to the Filipinos, who have an advanced culture in writing and language.

Our own Baybayin stands as a testament to Filipino cultural resilience—a true and authentic writing system with a storied history that reflects the very essence of our identity. While it might have been temporarily eclipsed by the passage of time, Baybayin is reclaiming its place in the sun through the unwavering commitment of various sectors.

The responsibility to preserve Baybayin lies in the hands of the present generation, ensuring that future Filipinos connect with their roots, their history, and their culture. It's a reflection of our resilience, an echo of the past, and a beacon of hope for a future where our cultural identity remains unshakable amidst the ever-changing tides of time.