The Baybayin script, an ancient writing system in the Philippines, has seen a resurgence in popularity due to the influence of social media and a growing desire among people to reconnect with their cultural roots.

Many individuals now incorporate Baybayin script into their tattoos, social media profiles, and even as graffiti. However, the widespread use of the script has also led to frequent errors in its application. Even those who can read Baybayin often encounter words or phrases that are awkwardly or incorrectly written. To help preserve the integrity of this script, it’s essential to understand Baybayin and learn how to write it correctly.

Baybayin, often referred to as Alibata, was one of the several writing systems used in the Philippines before the arrival of the Spanish colonizers.

The most commonly recognized version of Baybayin is the Tagalog script, which remains the primary script used by Filipinos today. However, Baybayin has regional variations, including Badlit, which is used by the Visayans, and Kulitan, which is used by the Kapampangans. In addition, sister scripts from various indigenous tribes, such as Tagbanwa, Hanuno’o, and Buhid, are still actively used in different parts of the Philippines.

The Baybayin script displays variations across different regions, not only due to differences in language but also because of the individual handwriting styles of the people who used it.

This means that if you’re learning to write in Baybayin, there isn’t a strict standard to follow. Historically, people wrote the script based on how they learned it, as long as the symbols were recognizable. Therefore, while a consistent method of writing Baybayin is helpful, some flexibility exists in how the script is applied.

When learning how to write Baybayin, you should understand that there are two main ways to write it: the traditional pre-Hispanic method and a modernized version that was slightly altered by Spanish friars. Understanding both versions is crucial to mastering the script and appreciating its historical and cultural significance.

Baybayin is classified as an Abugida, a type of writing system where each character represents a syllable made up of a consonant and a vowel.

This means that when writing in Baybayin, each symbol corresponds to a syllable rather than an individual letter, as in the Roman alphabet. For example, the syllable “ka” is written as a single character in Baybayin, and modifying this character slightly can change it to “ke,” “ki,” “ko,” or “ku.”

The traditional version of Baybayin used before the Spanish arrival didn’t include specific symbols to end syllables with a consonant. Instead, readers inferred the missing consonant based on context. However, after the Spanish colonization, friars introduced a modified version of Baybayin to accommodate Spanish sounds and writing styles. This version added a cross-like symbol beneath the character to indicate that the syllable ended with a consonant, such as “k,” without a following vowel.

To write Baybayin properly, whether in its traditional or modern form, you must first learn the basic syllabary, which includes symbols for syllables like “ba,” “ka,” “da,” “ga,” and so on.

Practice is crucial, as it helps in recognizing the symbols and understanding how they fit together to form words and phrases. Additionally, knowing the historical context of Baybayin enhances your ability to use the script meaningfully and respectfully.

As you delve deeper into the Baybayin script, keep in mind that it’s more than just a writing system; it’s a representation of Filipino heritage.

Properly learning Baybayin ensures that this important part of the country’s history remains respected and accurately preserved. The rise in Baybayin’s popularity offers a chance for cultural education and appreciation. People must approach it with care and a genuine desire to learn.  By doing so, you contribute to the continued revival and preservation of this ancient script.

As an example:

To create an E/I sound in Baybayin, add a small mark called “kudlit” above the character. To produce an O/U sound, place the kudlit below the character. Ancient Filipinos followed this method for writing words, avoiding the use of stand-alone consonants. For example, they wrote “ADLAW” (sun/day) as “A-LA,” “BULAN” (moon/month) as “BU-LA,” and “DAGAT” (sea) as “DA-GA.”

In the traditional Baybayin script, only three vowel sounds existed, unlike the five vowel sounds in most Philippine languages today.

Words in Baybayin did not have spaces between them, causing them to run together, much like Japanese writing. To separate sentences, they used two lines, similar to how periods are used now.

Unlike modern writing, where the letters N and G are combined, the symbols for D and R were identical in Baybayin. The NG sound had its own unique sign. Consequently, Baybayin served as a mnemonic tool for reading but was not effective in capturing the full range of sounds in Philippine languages.

Characters:

Here are the notes for the Pre-Hispanic version of Baybayin:

• Each syllable corresponds to one symbol.


• Final consonants in syllables were not written.


• Words were written without spaces between them.


• A double line served as a period.


• The characters for DA and RA were identical.


• The NG sound had its own unique symbol.

Modified Version

Spanish friars later modified Baybayin by introducing stand-alone consonants and adding spaces between words. They placed a cross beneath a symbol to negate its vowel sound. This change transformed “ADLAW” into “A-D-LA-W,” “BULAN” into “BU-LA-N,” and “DAGAT” into “DA-GA-T.”

Characters without vowels:

Words are written as they are pronounced in the original language, not as they are spelled in the Latin alphabet.

Updated Script

Several versions of the alphabet now exist to adapt the script to modern Philippine languages. These updates distinguish between D and R, adding symbols for sounds not found in the classic version.

Here are some specifics:

Writing sentences in the original version proves challenging, so I prefer using the modified Baybayin version. With many contemporary approaches available, I stick with the original version documented by the Spaniards. To avoid mistakes, take the time to learn how to write our Traditional Script properly.