Next week, I will start filming my Baybayin documentary. Over the past 2 months, I’ve been busy organizing, writing and figuring out how to do this ambitious project. My biggest issue was, what kind of Baybayin film do I make? I don’t consider myself a scholar. I don’t have the funds or the time to travel all around the Philippines to document various scripts still used today.

So, what’s the story? I don’t intend to make a National Geographic type of doc that’s for sure. The truth is, I don’t know yet. That’s why I’m going to the Philippines at the end of the month to find one. I plan to interview quite a few people regarding Baybayin and Filipino culture in general.

A couple notes:

• This project is currently self financed but I’m open for sponsorships. I have a few ideas if your business is interested. Contact me at info (at) baybayin.com.
• I’m planning to attend a couple Baybayin related events while in Manila. Follow me on the Baybayin Facebook page for the latest about this project.
• Detailed updates about this project can also be found at BaybayinFilm.com
• Interested in taking part? I will be in Manila 4/23. Contact me at info (at) baybayin.com.

Cesar is excited about a new project that he is willing to do this year even if he wouldn’t get any support from any big film outfits.

“I’m interested to do the [movie on] Francisco Dagohoy, kasi talagang taga-Bohol ’yun. Si Francisco Dagohoy, led the longest revolt in the Philippines, his story is part of our history. Another one is Eskaya, parang alibata ’yan… Alibata [a pre-Spanish writing system] from Luzon, Eskaya from the south,” Cesar discussed.

Eskaya, which Cesar is very excited about, is actually a name of an indigenous group found in the mountainous area of Bohol. Its language Eskayan interestingly has no clear relationship with any known language.

“Many people think that early Filipinos were illiterate. They didn’t know that Filipinos could communicate, we could write, we could read already, even before, way before the Spanish came to the Philippines. We need to share this to the world. I’m thinking of doing it this year, kahit indie I will do it, the Philippines has to do it,” the determined actor said.

Source

An example of the Eskaya script