Tessie Obusan developed a research method called Pamamaraang Ka illustrated here by baybayin: (Click for large view) Explore a Filipino approach that is also an act of decolonization. In the foreword of the 1994 Pamamaraan: Indigenous Knowledge and Evolving Research Paradigms the editors state that a growing number of Filipino scholars are deeply conscious of the richness of the Philippine culture and are frustrated that much of...
Read MoreReconnecting to indigenous ways and to our ancestral heritage can be done. What is tacit knowing, talinghaga, metaphorical sight and understanding? What is the balance of Masculine and Feminine Principle? What is pakikipagkapwa? What is the indigenous worldview? Let’s learn from each other and from centering ourselves and going to the Source. We can also learn from our local elders—talk to them. And we can learn and...
Read MoreRecent FB chat about baybayin healing on Virgil Mayor Apostol’s wall: Christian Cabuay Here’s an article about the Baybayin healing I told you about last year. It’s towards the bottom. “Healing modality is one very important function of the Baybayin Script. Women in the old times were better adept to the Syllabary because of this specific need. A fresh leaf (usually banana) is passed over fire before Baybayin...
Read More“…symbols and metaphors speak for and to our deepest feelings, desires, and experiences–better than rational words can, because they address–as well as come from–the fertile unconscious or‘underworld’ realm of our psyche…“ Agnes Miclat-Cacayan Why are the metaphorical and deeper meanings of the baybayin symbols important to Filipinos’ healing from historical imperialism, colonial...
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Before it was even released, I featured this book a couple of times at this blog. I finally got a copy last month and read it for most of the day that I was home, in bed with the flu. I noted that the cover and paper are top quality and the book, in its fresh print run, even smells wonderful. Filipino Tattoos: Ancient to Modern by Lane Wilcken. A book review at amazon.com. Uncovers the beauty of Filipino ancient indigenous...
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We have to go back to prehistoric times to know how our culture developed to appreciate our cultural heritage as a people and rekindle the Filipino diwa (spirit) to guide us along the pathways of the 21st century. — Jocano To understand why Filipinos perceive meanings within baybayin symbols we need to understand too, that ancient Filipinos were animists, thus they believed everything has a spirit, everything has a soul and...
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