The Ancient Hand
4 years ago
Baybayin – more commonly known as Alibata – is the way Filipinos used to write before the Spaniards occupied the country for 400 years. It survived by underground means, and is now found only in history books, museums, and the inked-up arm of the occasional Gen-X’er Pinoy/Pinay trying to make a statement. I’ve designed a few of my friends’ tattoos as well as three of my own. But I’d like to know it by heart, study and understand it inside and out. I want to know it so well that I can write a proper book on the subject. It really is a beautiful script, and I know that my ancestors went through hell to make sure it never died.
