Baybayin would change if I won the Mega Lotto jackpot of $600+ million

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1) Start an Academy in the Philippines dedicated to Baybayin

2) Create a foundation that teaches OSY (Out of School Youth) Baybayin so that they can create items with names for tourists

3) Expand the Mangyan Heritage Foundation expand to the Buhid script

4) Create a foundation for the Tagbanwas

5) Fund the efforts of Mike Pangalingan and Kulitan

6) Open a chain of Baybayin stores

7) Buy billboards on Edsa Guadalupe and put Baybayin

8) Produce a TV show on the topic of Baybayin

9) Sponsor UFC fighters with Baybayin on their clothing

10) 1 weekend of FREE Baybayin tattoos @ PnP Tattoo locations

11) Produce 100 different Baybayin hats with WIP

12) Buy back the Golden Tara from the Chicago Field Museum

13) Buy back the Doctrina Christiana

14) Fund a trip to India composed of Baybayin writers and linguists to study the connection between our cultures

15) Hire a film crew to finish my documentary

16) The biggest Baybayin blink you have ever or will see

17) Take Ray to the Philippines (hasn’t been there in a long time)

What would you do for Baybayin if you won the lottery?

PS: I didn’t buy a ticket so I’ll need your help in doing these things

 

Interview with Victor Quimson from Eagles Corner

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Here’s a short interview I did with Victor Quimson from Eagles Corner. He’s the man that created one of the 1st online Baybayin translators.

Christian – What is your Baybayin story? How did you 1st come across it?

Victor – I first learned about Baybayin from history class back in high school. The late Teodoro Agoncillo wrote about it in his book “History of the Filipino People” and included pictures of the symbols. I was quite amazed to learn that the early Filipinos had their own system of writing.

Christian – Your Baybayin translator has helped so many learn the script quickly and fairly accurately. What inspired you to create the tool and what were some of the challenges?

Victor – I had just taken a Perl programming class and was looking for an interesting project to work on so I can practice web programming. At around the same time, my interest in Baybayin was reborn after seeing the Baybayin pendants being created by Ray Haguisan of Malaya Designs (www.malayadesigns.net). It was a natural fit. Thanks to Hector Santos’ website, I decided to read more on how Baybayin is properly written. From there the Baybayin translator was born. I’m still amazed at how often it’s used.

It turns out that it wasn’t too difficult to do. There really weren’t any challenges. Baybayin isn’t difficult to learn, so writing the code for it was fairly easy.

Christian – Do you plan to release an updated version?

Victor – It’s been almost 10 years since I created the site, and I’ve barely touched it since. I had been toying with the idea of writing either a Facebook or iPhone app, but my time is limited nowadays.

Christian – Regarding your disclaimer, has anyone comeback advising of a messed up tattoo based on the output of your translator? I’ve come across people who9 think they could enter “Sister” and receive a translation.

Victor – I haven’t heard from anyone who had a messed up tattoo. Every now and then I come across people with tattoos with symbols that seem to have been copied from my site, and once in a while I’d find tattoos with really bad translations.

I added that disclaimer after I realized that people have been using them for tatoos. Except for a few special cases, I’m pretty confident in my translator’s accuracy in translating original Tagalog words (not words borrowed from Spanish or English), however; I can’t control what the user types in.

I still get a few requests for translations for tatoos every week, but I rarely answer them. Most of the questions I get could be easily answered by going to the “tips” page or through any other Baybayin website. My belief is that if you really want a tatoo that represents your culture, then you should take the time to learn more about it. Baybayin is so simple that one can learn it in a few hours. I’ve heard from some people that other sites charge up to $25 for translations. I’m thinking of doing the same, but I’ll send the money to one of the charities I support back home.

Christian – Does your program log any statistics? It would be interesting to see what the % breakdown would be for Original vs Spanish modified. What do you think people are using?

Victor – I don’t keep any statistics other than the number of words that have been translated. I would prefer that people would use the original version more than the modified one, of course that’s not entirely realistic.

EVENT: SF State 3-/28 – The Purpose of Baybayin

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3/28/12, I’ll be back at San Francisco State giving a lecture on Baybayin. Last year, I ran through my Baybayin School course but this year, I’ll try something different.

One of the biggest questions we need to answer as practitioners is – What is the benefit and purpose? The focus of this talk will be the benefits of Baybayin for: Self Identity, Cultural Preservation, and Promotion for Economic gain.

For all you SF State students, it all happens at 5:30PM 3/28 @ Pace office @ the Cesar Chavez center. Contact Pace for more info

Baybayin Capital of America

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There’s an ongoing effort to make the the province of Rizal the Baybayin capital of the Philippines based on a few items namely: Jose Rizal’s flirtation with the script, the theory that the Angono Petroglyphs are Baybayin and being the site of the 1st Philippine Baybayin Conference.

What do you think? Is that valid? Is that enough?

That made me think of what a “Capital of _________” really is. After 5 seconds of thinking about it…..

I officially declare CALIFORNIA as the Baybayin Capital of America!

Why? We have a nearly 20 year track record of Baybayin artistry, education and promotion since the early 1990’s via colleges, magazines, festivals, museums, clothing, tattoos, etc.

Here’s a short list off the top of my head of Californians involved in Baybayin publicly (not just behind some computer)…..

I’m sure I missed a few people…..

Also……..

  • Maganda Magazine in the early 90’s
  • The infamous Alibata Yahoo group has it’s roots in Cali
  • San Francisco Asian Art Museum has had Baybayin demos the past 3 years
  • Various Filipino Festivals for the last 15+ years that have the above people promote Baybayin

Long live the Baybayin capital of America

Kulitan Event: Sulat Kapampangan calligraphy

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Mike Pangilinan will be giving a presentation on “Baybayin at Kaligrapiyang Pilipino” (focussing on Sulat Kapampangan calligraphy) on the 2nd day of the “Ika-10ng Pambansang BAKAS Seminar-Workshop: “Kasaysayan ng Kapilipinuhan: Bagong Balangkas”, 2012 April 19, 8:30 am at the Don Bosco Technical Institute in Makati, Philippines.

Umaga
8:00-9:00 Pagpapatala
9:00-9:30 Pagbubukas
Panimulang Pagbati
Fr. Anthony Paul Bicomong, SDB
(Rector, Don Bosco Technical Institute, Makati)
Pambungad na Pananalita at Pagpapaliwanag sa Tema
Bb. Rosana Diwa (BAKAS, Inc.)
Pasasalamat sa Ortigas Foundation Library: BAKAS, Inc.
Pagkilala sa mga Delegado, Mga Panuntunan/Paalala
G. Reuben Calabio (Don Bosco Technical Institute, Makati)
9:30-10:20 Pangkalahatang Perspektiba
Dr. Zeus Salazar (Retiradong Propesor, UPDil. & DLSU, Mla)
10:20-10:40 Merienda

I. PAMAYANAN (250,000 BK?– 1588 MK)
10:40-11:10 “Pagkabuo ng Kapuluang Pilipino”
Prop. Edmundo Vargas (NIGS, UP Diliman)
11:10-11:40 “Sinaunang Tao sa Pilipinas:
Homo erectus?; Taong Kalaw; Taong Tabon”
Dr. Armand Mijares (Direktor, UP Archaeological Studies Program)
11:40-12:10 Malayang Talakayan/Pa-“raffle” ng mga aklat atbp.

Hapon
1:00-1:30 “Ang mga Austronesyano: Pinagmulan at Pinaglaganapan”
Prop. Jesus Federico Hernandez
(Departamento ng Lingguwistika, UP Diliman)
1:30-2:00 “Palay-Bigas-Kanin: Ang Kabihasnang Austronesyano sa Pilipinas”
G. Joey Ayala (Bagong Lumad Artists Foundation)
2:00-2:30 Malayang talakayan
2:30-3:00 “Paglaganap, Pamamayan at Pagsasambayanan ng mga
Austronesyano sa Pilipinas: Ang mga Sistemang Ilog ng Kapuluan
(7,000/5,000 B.K.?-1280 M.K.)”
Dr. Zeus Salazar (Retiradong Propesor, UP Dil. & DLSU, Mla)
3:00-3:30 “Sambayanan/Estadong Bayan: Paglaganap ng Islam (1280-1588)”
Dr. Abraham Sakili (Propesor, UP Diliman & Komisyoner, Pambansang
Komisyong Pangkasaysayan — NHCP)
3:30-4:00 Merienda
4:00-5:00 Malayang Talakayan/Pa-“raffle” ng mga aklat atbp.

(PARA SA MGA “IN-HOUSE DELEGATES”):
Pagpapalabas ng mga Pelikula tungkol sa Austroneyano, “Amaya” at iba pa.

Ikalawang Araw (Abril 19, Huwebes)
Umaga (Dalawang Sesyon)
Elementarya/Hayskul
8:00-8:40 Paggawa ng “Lesson Plan” kaugnay ng Proyektong “Palay-Bigas Kanin”
Ms. Pauline Angela Bautista (Bagong Lumad Artists Foundation)
8:40-9:20 “Baybayin at Kaligrapiyang Pilipino”
G. Mike Pangilinan (Pambansang Komisyon para sa Kultura at mga Sining
NCCA)
9:20-9:50 Malayang Talakayan/Pa-“raffle” ng mga aklat atbp.
9:50-10:20 Merienda
10:20-11:00 “Ang Multimedia sa Paaralan”
Ms. Suzette Doctolero (Script Writer, GMA 7 “AMAYA”)
11:00-11:40 “Pagbibilang: Ang Sungka bilang Abakus ng Sinaunang Pilipino”
Dr. Bonifacio Comandante (UP Los Baños)
11:40-12:10 Malayang Talakayan/Pa-“raffle” ng mga aklat atbp.

Kolehiyo/Unibersidad
8:00-8:40 “Arkeolohiya sa Pananaliksik ng Sinaunang Panahon”
Dr. Victor Paz (Dating Director, Archaeological Studies Program, UP Diliman)
8:40-9:20 “Ang Bangka (waka) sa Migrasyong Austronesyano”
Dr. Efren Isorena (Ateneo de Manila University)
9:20-9:50 Malayang Talakayan/Pa-“raffle” ng mga aklat atbp.
9:50-10:20 Merienda
10:20-11:00 “Ang mga Unang Diksyunaryo sa Pagsaliksik sa Sinaunang Pamayanan”
G. Jaime Tiongson (Pila Historical Society Foundation/BAKAS)
11:00-11:40 “Ang mga Anyo ng Sandata ng Pilipinas noong Panahon ng Pamayanan
(7.000/5,000 B.K.? – 1588 M.K.)”
G. Lorenz Lasco (Bahay Saliksikan sa Kasaysayan)
11:40-12:10 Malayang Talakayan/Pa-“raffle” ng mga aklat atbp

I. BAYAN (1588-1913)
Hapon
1:00-1:30 “Krisis ng Pamayanang Pilipino (1588-1663):
Ang Pagkabuo ng Maynila bilang Syudad Kolonyal”
Dr. Nerissa Tantengco (Pamantasang Normal ng Pilipinas,Maynila)
1:30-2:00 “Bayan, Pueblo at Ciudad: Bagong Pamayanan (1663-1745)
sa halimbawa ng Kabisayaan”
Dr. Vicente Villan (Departamento ng Kasaysayan, UP Diliman)
2:00-2:30 Malayang Talakayan/Pa-“raffle” ng mga aklat atbp.
2:30-3:00 “Batayan ng Pagkakaisa (1745-1807)”
Dr. Nilo Ocampo (Departamento ng Filipino at Panitikan ng Pilipinas, UP Diliman)
3:00-3:20 Merienda
3:20-3:50 “Bayang Pilipino: Katutubo at Banyaga (1807-1861)”
Prop. Michael Charleston Chua (DLSU, Maynila)
3:50-4:20 “Inang Bayan at Nación (1861-1913): Sekularisasyon; Propaganda;
Himagsikan/Rebolusyon; Bagong Kolonisasyon”
Prop. Mary Jane Rodriguez-Tatel (Departamento ng Filipino at Panitikan ng Pilipinas,
UP Diliman)
4:20-5:00 Malayang Talakayan/Pa-“raffle” ng mga aklat atbp.

(PARA SA MGA “IN-HOUSE DELEGATES”):
Pagpapalabas ng mga Pelikula: “Sakay,” “Gabriela Silang,” “Bayani,” at Case Unclosed: “Paglilitis ni Bonifacio”

Ikatlong Araw (Abril 20, Biyernes)
Umaga (Dalawang Sesyon)
Elementarya/Hayskul
8:00-9:20 “Naayon pa ba ang UBD sa K to 12 Curriculum?”
Dr. Zenaida Reyes (Dekana, Pamantasang Normal ng Pilipinas, Maynila)
9:20-9:50 Malayang Talakayan/Pa-“raffle” ng mga aklat atbp.
9:50-10:20 Merienda
10:20-10:50 “Ang mga Museo sa Pagtuturo ng Kasaysayan”
G. Timothy James Vitales (Museong Pambansa, Maynila)
10:50-11:30 Pakitang Turo: Aplikasyon ng mga Paksa
G. Sonny Tan (Don Bosco Technical Institute, Makati)
11:30-12:10 Malayang Talakayan/Pa-“raffle” ng mga aklat atbp.

Kolehiyo/Unibersidad
8:00-8:40 “Timawa”
Prop. Nancy Kimuell-Gabriel (Tagapangulo, Departamento ng
Kasaysayan, San Beda College, Mendiola)
8:40-9:20 “Muslim at Lumad sa Panahon ng Pagkabuo ng Bayan”
Dr. Enrico Garcia (Pamantasang Normal ng Pilipinas, Maynila)
9:20-9:50 Malayang Talakayan/Pa-“raffle” ng mga aklat atbp
9:50-10:20 Merienda
10:20-11:00 “Rebelyon ng mga Klerong Pilipino”
Dr. Lars Ubaldo (DLSU, Maynila)
11:00-11:40 “Identidad ng Ilustrado”
Prop. Jonathan Balsamo (Enderun College & Heroes Square) & Prop. Roland Macawili (PUP, San Juan)
11:40-12:10 Malayang Talakayan/Pa-“raffle” ng mga aklat atbp.

II. BANSA (1913-Kasalukuyan)
Hapon
1:00-1:30 “Ang Katiwalian sa Estado:
Mula Kolonyang Amerikano hanggang sa ‘Independensya’”
Prop. Ma. Carmen Peñalosa (Miriam College, Loyola Heights)
1:30-2:00 “Kasaysayan ng Reporma sa Lupa mulang ‘Friar Estates’
(Lupang Prayle) hanggang Kasalukuyan”
Prop. Oscar Evangelista (Palawan State University)
2:00-2:30 Ulat tungkol sa BAKAS Seminar Workshop 2009 “Ang
Bayan sa Ibayong Dagat: OFW, Pamilyang Pilipino at
Katatagang Panlipunan sa Agos ng Kasaysayan ng
Migrasyon”. Pokus sa “Migrasyon ng Akademiko at
Manggagawa: Pagkakaiba ng Interes at Pananaw.”
Dr. Zeus Salazar (Retiradong Propesor, UP Dil. & DLSU, Mla)
2:30-3:00 Malayang Talakayan/Pa-“raffle” ng mga aklat atbp.
3:00-3:20 Merienda
3:20-3:50 “Nasyon at Bansa: Ang Dambuhalang Pagkakahating Pangkalinangan”
Dr. Rhommel Hernandez (DLSU, Maynila)
3:50-4:20 Malayang Talakayan/Pa-“raffle” ng mga aklat atbp.
4:20-5:00 Pagsasara/Pagbubuod/Paggawad ng mga Sertipiko
Gng. Scheherazade Vargas(Departamento ng Kasaysayan, UP
Diliman.)

Pnoy Apparel: Jose Rizal Baybayin shirt

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One of my favorite Filipino American shirt companies just released their spring/summer collection around the theme of “No History, No Self”. The standout design is a skull version of the iconic Jose Rizal image with a unique Baybayin style saying “Walang kasaysayan Walang Sarili” literally translating to “No History No Self” in Tagalog. What’s also interesting is the usage of the X as the kudlit for the Da/Ra and La characters for the word Sarili. At 1st glance, one may confuse it as vowel cancellations (Virama) for the word above. What are your thoughts on this technique?

Here’s a description from their website:

Every where you look we are presented with sun and stars, Filipino this, Filipino that, and every variation of Pacman you can think on a tee as “Pinoy Pride”. No substance, no history. The lack of accessible Philippine curriculum in schools, studies, and products inspired our “Death of Philippine education” theme for our S/S collection. We took an iconic Philippine image in Jose Rizal, but with a skull. Babayin/alibata (first written script of the Philippines) in our own handwritten script font translated “No History, No Self”.

Visit Pnoy Apparel

Proposed Baybayin banknote in the news a year later

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A proposed banknote with Baybayin featured on here on Baybayin.com way back in April and July 2011 has come back to life thanks to people spreading it online via Tumblr, Facebook and Twitter.

News outlets have just picked up and even prompted the BSP to publicly state:

“The BSP has never issued nor is planning to issue such type of a banknote. Therefore, any 150-piso commemorative note or similar banknote is fictitious,” it said.

The public is advised to report individuals who are passing these P150 fictitious notes to the police or the Investigatove Division, Cash Department, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas in Quezon City. The BSP can be contacted at 926-5092 and 929-7071 local 618 or via e-mail bspmail@bsp.gov.ph.

Another win for Baybayin but it’s unfortunate that none of the media was able to find out that it was only a proposed design that Malaya Business Insight wrote about in January 2010.

There is a proposal submitted to the Governor of the Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas for a 150-peso bill carrying the portrait of Jose Rizal as the central feature in the front portion. The intent is to promote the 150th birth anniversary of the Philippine national hero.

Spend more than a 10 minutes doing research online and they would’ve been able to find this out.