Interview by Rui Pastorin
The Philippine Consulate General in Macau yesterday gathered youngsters to introduce them to, and spark their interest in “Baybayin”, an ancient, pre-colonial Philippine script.
Held as part of the consulate’s activities commemorating the Philippines’ National Heritage Month, “Baybayin 101” marked the third time that they have hosted an event geared towards enabling participants to learn about the country’s “Baybayin” script, which originates from the Tagalog word baybay or “to spell”.
Sessions started a year ago for the consulate general’s personnel and local Filipino community leaders, with yesterday’s edition being specifically aimed at youths aged 12 to 17.
The around two-hour, lively session was led by Benjamin Descallar Jr., aka Jet, an electrical engineer with a strong passion for and personal interest in the ancient script, particularly advocating for learning the way it was used in the past. He introduced the history and background of Baybayin to a total of 12 youngsters, while also teaching the basics of reading and writing in it.
Highlighting its background, Descallar told the Post before the session that research shows that Filipinos already had their own writing system across the archipelago before the arrival of the Spanish on March 16,1521, while there was also a high percentage of literacy.
The script features 17 syllabic characters, with 14 consonants and three major vowels, according to information from yesterday’s session, where it was also noted that each character is a combination of a consonant and a vowel, except for the major vowels.
A lost script, Descallar highlighted that Baybayin has had a resurgence in recent years, with some opting to have the script as a tattoo. Baybayin can also be observed in calligraphy, the Philippine passport, street signage in the Philippine capital of Manila, and on money, along with symbols on government offices, Descallar added.
“We are trying to spread the knowledge as far as we can, especially to the younger ones”, Descallar said, adding that the event’s aim was to garner interest and possibly enable them to share what they’ve learnt with others who they interact with every day, particularly Filipinos who have lived outside the country for a long time.
And whether near or far from the Philippines and regardless of whether or not they are well-versed in their mother tongue, Descallar highlighted the significance of knowing about one’s heritage. “It’s important for people to know their heritage. For Filipinos, even if they are born outside of the Philippines, their blood is still Filipino. So, it’s very important to know who you are before you try to become what you want to be”, he said, harkening back to a saying by Philippine national hero José Rizal (1861 to 1896).
Descallar highlighted how he hopes that youngsters could continue to learn, even as a hobby, after yesterday’s lesson. Speaking about how his interest in the script started, he said:
“I started learning on my own. And I joined Facebook pages” he said, particularly highlighting one called “Baybayin Buhayin” (“Revive Baybayin”) that also provides materials for learning the script along with those for disseminating information to others interested. “It really is just a passion and interest, not actually a profession. I am not a linguist”, Descallar said, but was quick to add he hopes that others will also experience that same interest, enough to pursue it as a passion outside of their own professional lives. “I hope after today, everybody will pick something up”.
Yesterday’s session was also joined by Consul General Edna May G. Lazaro and other staff of the consulate.
This photo shows the materials prepared for participants to use during Baybayin 101 held at the Philippine Consulate General in Macau in Nape yesterday. – Photos: Rui Pastorin
Benjamin Descallar Jr. poses after yesterday’s interview at the Philippine Consulate General in Macau in Nape.
A group of youngsters listen to Descallar as he delivers his lesson on Baybayin.
