By Ime Morales
As our forefathers’ age-old system of writing, Baybayin is believed to have existed in our archipelago even before the first Spanish colonizers sailed toward our shores. Our ancestors used it to pen songs, prayers, verses and messages or letters on such materials as tree barks, bamboos, leaves, rock faces, and metals.
As our forefathers’ age-old system of writing, Baybayin is believed to have existed in our archipelago even before the first Spanish colonizers sailed toward our shores. Our ancestors used it to pen songs, prayers, verses and messages or letters on such materials as tree barks, bamboos, leaves, rock faces, and metals.
Comandante, the scientist who invented the “sleeping fish” technology (a discovery that earned him numerous awards from all over the world), revealed the following results of his research on this ancient form of writing.
1. Baybayin scripts predate the birth of Christ.
According to Comandante, the Manunggul Jar (Palawan) that was carbon-dated to 890-710 BC bears very old Baybayin scripts, contrary to findings that the markings are just designs.
If this is true, it debunks historical assumptions that place the creation of this system of writing at around a hundred years before the Spanish colonizers came in 1521.
2. Baybayin has been the inspiration for a dance, called Sayaw Baybayin (Sabai) or Baybayin Dance, and a form of local martial art, Baybayin ng Silangan (Bangsi).
The movements are copied from the forms of the written symbols.
In his paper titled “Baybayin Dance: Script Forms Through Time,” Comandante argued that the adaptation of the script forms into movement has provided an easy way to learn how to write and read Baybayin, primarily because of “muscle memory.”
“You can use the Baybayin Dance to heal yourself and to pray—prayer through dance is the ultimate therapy,” he said.
The dance itself does not have specific or prescribed movements. The dancer is free to create her own expressions of the 17 symbols found in this ancient writing system.
3. The Baybayin script originated from the taklobo or giant clam.
Comandante made this discovery after spending some time with a Tagbanua native from Palawan.
The giant clam, said Comandante, was used by our ancestors as food, tool, container, utensil, source of lime for their betel chew, body ornament, or as a burial implement.
In his paper, which he first presented at a conference in 2011, Comandante suggested that each Baybayin syllabary is a word in itself and may have evolved from our ancestors’ ritual or practice related to the giant clams. The symbols themselves may have been inspired by the physical shapes and forms of and on the clam itself.
This theory presents an important and interesting development in the historical study of Baybayin, which could disprove previous assumptions on the origins of the syllabary.
4. The Baybayin script has inherent subtle energies.
Comandante experimented on plants and discovered that each Baybayin syllabary carries specific powers that are related to its very nature.
He is able to harness these energies for use in growing plants and healing oneself and others.
The process involves writing down the appropriate Baybayin symbol and attaching the paper onto the subject, much like how albularyos write down their oracion and stick the piece of paper (tapal) onto the person’s body.
“Do not forget that this is your prayer. Be specific, sincere and concise about your request and include the phrase 'My Prayer,'” Comandante revealed. Messages or prayers that are uttered are more effective, he said.
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