History and Writing Baybayin

1. Baybayin
Lecture and Workshop by Rosa Maria Aguado
Wednesday, January 25th at 8:00 a.m.
The History of the Pre-Colonial Filipino
Writing System

2. Lecture Objectives
At the end of the lecture, the students should
be able to define and explain the origins of the
Baybayin writing system.
At the end of the lecture, the students should
be able to identify the symbols used in
Baybayin writing.
At the end of the lecture, the students should
be able to discuss the importance of
preserving the Baybayin writing system.
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02
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3. Lecture Agenda
01
History
A brief introduction to the
history of ancient writing
Baybayin
02
The Baybayin
A discussion of the symbols,
counterparts, and
pronunciation of the Baybayin
03
Rules
A discussion and workshop on
the proper use of the
Baybayin script

4. The History
Baybayin is an ancient script of the Philippines,
believed to have been used as early as the 16th
century. It is a syllabic script, which means each
character stands for a syllable and is made up of a
combination of basic shapes. It was used to write
Tagalog, the language of the Tagalog people, but also
other languages of the Philippines such as Pampango
and Ilocano.
Baybayin is a pre-Spanish script, which means it
predates the Spanish colonization of the Philippines. It
is thought to have been derived from the ancient script
of India and is related to other Southeast Asian.

5. Baybayin "A" Baybayin "E/I" Baybayin "O/U"
The Baybayin Vowels

6. The Baybayin Consonants
Baybayin "Ba" Baybayin "Ka" Baybayin "Da/Ra" Baybayin "Ga"
Baybayin "Ha" Baybayin "La" Baybayin "Ma"

7. Baybayin "Na" Baybayin "Nga" Baybayin "Pa"
Baybayin "Ta" Baybayin "Wa" Baybayin "Ya"
Baybayin "Sa"
The Baybayin Consonants

8. The Reformed Baybayin Rules
Baybayin consonants have default /a/ sounds. To change or remove the
default /a/ sounds, "kudlit" or "krus-kudlit" are added.
Baybayin "Ka" Baybayin "Ke/Ki" Baybayin "Ko/Ku" Baybayin "K"

9. Baybayin
consonants have
default /a/
sounds. To
change or
remove the
default /a/
sounds, "kudlit"
or "krus-kudlit"
are added.
"Pa" "Pa"
"Ya" "Payapa" (calm)
Exhibit A.
"Pi" "Li"
"Ni" "Pinili" (chosen)
Exhibit B.
"P" "No"
"La" "Plano" (plan)
Exhibit C.

10. The cardinal rule in Baybayin is to spell the word the way it is pronounced.
For example, the word "Philippines" should be spelled like "Pi-li-pins"
"Li" "N"
"Pi" "Pi" "S"
The Reformed Baybayin Rules

11. Diphthongs are complex sounds which are combinations of simple vowels
and semi-vowels. In Filipino, diphthongs are those words that end in /w/ or
/y/. An example is the word "kalabaw."
"La" "W"
"Ka" "Ba"
The Reformed Baybayin Rules

12. Hyphens do not exist in baybayin. If the word contains hyphen, just simply
remove the hyphen and apply the usual rules as is. For example, the word
"ikawalo" will turn into "ika-walo" when Baybayin is applied.
"Ka" "Lo"
"I" "Wa"
The Reformed Baybayin Rules

13. Wrapping Up
The cardinal rule in Baybayin is to spell the word the way it
is pronounced.
01
02
Baybayin consonants have default /a/ sounds. To change
or remove the default /a/ sounds, "kudlit" or "krus-kudlit"
are added.
Diphthongs are complex sounds which are combinations of
simple vowels and semi-vowels. In Filipino, diphthongs are
those words that end in /w/ or /y/.
03
Hyphens do not exist in baybayin. If the word contains
hyphen, just simply remove the hyphen and apply the usual
rules as is.
04

14. Thank you for
listening!

15. Resources Page

16. Resources Page

17. Resources Page