This is actually a very controversial question to answer. Along with other questions like “Is Baybayin only for Tagalog?” and “Does other regions or provinces have their own writing system?” to mention a few. So for today we will try to answer these questions.
A lot are confused about the origin of Baybayin. Who wouldn’t? It is now really hard to pinpoint the true origin of Baybayin and there are a lot of theories about its origin. As mentioned, this is a very controversial question to answer. The pride of each region is at stake here. To answer this, we will need to go back to the history of Baybayin.
Baybayin History and Variants
While it is indeed hard to pinpoint the real origin of Baybayin, evidence shows that Baybayin was introduced to the Philippines from Borneo. It first came to the ancient Kingdom of Luzon. From there, evidence shows that it spreads as far north as Ilocos, southeast as the Bicol region, southwest as Palawan, and as far south as Cebu. Spaniards recorded that in 1521, the people of Visayas do not have a writing system. However, by 1567, Baybayin was reported to have already reached Cebu. The Visayans called Baybayin “Moro writings” as it was introduced to them by the Tagalog from Manila, which was in turn introduced by the people of Borneo to the Tagalogs. Furthermore, there are no evidence that Baybayin has reached Mindanao.
In addition, the Spaniards reported that writing was only practiced in ancient Manila but later on spread to other islands and regions. Thus, they called Baybayin “Tagalog letters” regardless of the language that it was used for. Some of these regions modified the script like adding (or omitting) some characters to accommodate their respective languages. The “Ra” of Bicol and Zambales are two such cases.
The shapes and strokes also differs due to our ancestors’ handwriting and way of writing. Our ancestors used sharp pointed blades like knives or daggers to write (technically carve) on wooden surfaces like a tablet made of bamboos. Just like how the “word-of-mouth” tends to differ when passed on, so does our ancestors’ handwriting.
This is similar to how the Latin/Roman alphabet have different variants and typefaces; or like how the English language has its variants or in its case, different dialects (British English, American English, Aussie English, Kiwi English, etc.).
Baybayin was then known by many different names. It has been called Basahan in the Bicol Region, Badlit or Kudlit-kabadlit in the Visayas, Kulitan in Pampanga and Kurdita or Kur-itan in Ilocos. It is also known as Sulat or Surat like the Surat Mangyan in Mindoro.
Living Baybayins
In modern times, there are currently 4 recognized living Baybayin scripts by UNESCO. The two Surat Mangyans (Buhid and Hanunoo scripts) in Mindoro, and the Tagbanwa script in Palawan have stood the test of time and are still being used today. While the Ibalnan script of Palawan was adopted from the Tagbanwa people around the 20th century. In addition, the ancient Kulitan of Pampanga has been revived around the 1990s and was supplanted by a constructed script called the Modern Kulitan which is very different from the ancient Kulitan.
Baybayin as One Single Writing System
The confusion about having different regional writing systems started long after Baybayin became obsolete. While the Spaniards are unanimous in reporting that the Philippines by that time only has one writing system (which they called Tagalog Letters) and while writers and historians have agreed with it; some writers, however, gathered different Baybayin samples and made a comparison chart seemingly labelling them as distinct regional writing systems instead of just one single writing system hence the confusion. There are also no evidence for other regional writing systems, any others like the Modern Kulitan are modern constructions.
Other Writing Systems
In addition to Baybayin and its variants, there are other writing systems in the Philippines like the Eskayan script in Bohol and the Jawi script.
The Eskayan script is a modern constructed script by the Eskaya people of Bohol and was developed around 1920. It is a syllabary that is reported to have over a thousand characters.
While the Jawi scripts are the varieties of Arabic-based scripts adopted by the Muslims in the Philippines. It was used predominantly by Muslim groups like the Tausug, Maranao and Maguindanaon to mention a few. It is also called Batang Arab (Arabic letters) and also known as Kirim script to the Maranao people.
Answers & Conclusion
With this, we can now answer our questions earlier:
- Is Baybayin really just one of the many writing systems in ancient Philippines?
- There are two recorded writing systems in pre-colonial Philippines. Aside from Baybayin and all of its variants, there is also the Jawi script and its variants.
- Is Baybayin only for Tagalog?
- No, Baybayin can be used to write other Filipino languages as well. While not advisable, it can also be used to write foreign languages.
- Does other regions have their own writing system?
- That depends on which region or province. The Eskaya people of Bohol has the constructed Eskayan script while the Muslim groups had Jawi scripts.
- However, other regions used one Baybayin writing system (Basahan, Badlit/Kudlit-kabadlit, Kulitan, Kurdita/Kur-itan, Sambal, Hanunoo, Buhid, Tagbanwa and Ibalnan scripts are all Baybayin). The experiment constructed Modern Kulitan is a unique case as it can still be considered as Baybayin since it is based on the ancient Kulitan, yet it can also be considered a different system since it is quite different from the ancient Kulitan.
Contrary to some modern beliefs and despite the confusions and claims that there are different regional writing systems (except for Eskayan and Jawi/Kirim scripts), evidence shows that there is only one Baybayin writing system used in pre-colonial Philippines. The differences are only due to the distinct handwriting and languages of our ancestors, as well as the natural development of the surviving Baybayin scripts. Therefore, there is only one Baybayin writing system but with different variants, styles and typefaces.
Summary
- There are two writings systems in pre-colonial Philippines: Baybayin and Jawi.
- Baybayin is one writing system with different variants, typefaces and styles.
- Basahan, Badlit/Kudlit-kabadlit, Kulitan, Kurdita/Kur-itan, Hanunoo, Buhid, Tagbanwa and Ibalnan scripts are all Baybayin. This also includes the Sambal script of Zambales and other supposed regional scripts derived from Baybayin.
Thank you for reading. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask below. Thank you again and God Bless =>
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*Photo used for featured image by Luca Laurence on Unsplash.
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