"Find your inner strength."
ΚΨΕ
Delta Chapter
University of California, Los Angeles • est. 2005
Greek Alphabet
Baybayin
Background
The characters you see below are part of the Baybayin alphabet, the writing system of the native Tagalog Pilipinos. Unlike the negative images of ancient Pilipinos being illiterate, dog-eating, jungle savages, our ancestors maintained highly intelligent, literate societies. With Baybayin, our people were historians and lawmakers, as well as poets and storytellers. So while most Asians use their own native writing systems, why don’t Pilipinos commonly use Baybayin?
In order to westernize and “Christianize” the Pilipinos, European colonizers (specifically the Spanish) discouraged the usage of Baybayin, and even burned anything that featured the Baybayin script. Fortunately, various tribes managed to isolate themselves from the Europeans and maintained their system of writing even to this day.
Each character is combined to form words, and is specifically written from left to right, or up and down.
How to Use It
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To create an I or E sound, you must replace the initial “AH” sound of a character; this is done by placing a kudlit (or a dot) above the character.
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To create an O or U sound, negate the initial “AH” by placing a kudlit at the bottom of the character.
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To negate the “AH” to develop a consonant, simply place a sabat (or cross mark) below the character. (The vowel canceling cross was devised by a Spaniard named Lopez; the sabat simply makes reading words easier, but it is not always used in Baybayin.)
The Philippines: Basic Information and Map
Official Name:
“REPUBLIKA NG PILIPINAS”
National Capital: Manila
Population: approx 109,581,392
Current President: Rodrigo Duterte
National Anthem: Lupang Hinirang
Motto: “Maka-Diyos, Maka-Tao, Makakalikasan, at Makabansa”
(For God, People, Nature, & Country)
Official Languages: Filipino & English
Official Currency: Peso
Official Dance: Tinikling
Official Martial Art: Kali and Eskrima
National Flower: Sampaguita, also known as the Arabian Jasmine
The Philippine Flag
The Flag's Attributes
BLUE: common unity and the noble desires of the Filipinos.
RED: eagerness of the Pilipino people to shed blood in defense of the country.
WHITE: purity.
EQUILATERAL TRIANGLE: equality among all men.
SUN: strides that have been made by the Sons of the land on the road to progress and civilization.
8 RAYS OF THE SUN: first 8 united provinces that revolted for independence (Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Manila, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga and Tarlac).
THREE STARS: 3 major geographical divisions (Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao).
The Philippine flag is unique in that it can indicate a state of war. When the red field is displayed on top (or on the left-hand side of the observer when displayed vertically), it means that the Philippines is at war.
Story of the Philippine Flag
The first official flag of the Philippines was used in 1892 by the Kataas-taasan, Kagalang-galangan Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (KKK). The current flag’s design, however, was originally designed by Emilio Aguinaldo in 1898. The only things that have changed since then are the flags actual color shades, which were finalized in 1998.
Historic Filipinotown & LA-based Pilipino Organizations
Three Historic Regions of HiFi
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Little Manila (1920s-1940s)
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Bunker Hill (1940s-1955)
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Beverly Corridor (1955-Present)
Major Landmarks
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Filipino American Community of Los Angeles, Home to the Filipino Cultural Center
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Filipino Disciples Christian Church
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Gintong Kasaysayan, Gintong Pamana Mural at Unidad Park
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Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA)
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Tribal Cafe
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WWII Veterans “VALOR" Monument
LA-based Pilipino Organizations & Spaces
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AF3IRM
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Anakbayan LA (ABLA)
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Filipino American Service Group, Inc. (FASGI)
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Kabataang maka-Bayan: Pro-People Youth (KmB)
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Pilipino Workers Center of Southern California (PWC)
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Sunday Jump: Open Mic Collective
