Contributed by Andre Arellano and Nuel Sabate, AHRC Resident Interns

The Katutubo Desk of the Ateneo Human Rights Center (AHRC) conducted an Alternative Classroom Program (ACP) with over thirty (30) participants as celebration for this October’s Katutubo Month, last October 10, 2024. With the theme “Pagsulong sa Kritikal na Gampanin ng Katutubong Pilipino sa Komunidad, Kalikasan, at Bayan,” the ACP  was held at the Blue Room, 2nd Floor, Ateneo Professional Schools Building. 

This year’s ACP entitled “Daloy at Lumanay: Learning Baybayin Script and Philippine Indigenous Culture” is a testament to the Katutubo Desk’s continuous commitment to offering genuinely alternative and eye-opening activities to the Ateneo Law School (ALS) community. Katutubo Desk Interim Head Caloy Arellano said, “It is our pride and honor to organize programs and events that expose law students to Indigenous skills and knowledge, which are often overlooked in our study of law.”

The ACP included discussions on the history and development of Baybayin, as well as efforts to promote it as an official script. The program featured a hands-on workshop where participants learned various techniques for writing in Baybayin. This year, the Katutubo Desk partnered with Baybayin Buhayin, Inc., a leading non-government organization and advocacy group committed to advancing Philippine culture and heritage.

Jose Jaime Enage, a co-founder of Baybayin Buhayin, Inc., highlighted the importance of preserving the Baybayin script as a means of safeguarding Filipino identity. Alongside him, Jaime Hernandez and Ronalyn Francisco led the workshop, sharing insights on the relevance of Baybayin even as modernity shapes contemporary life.

By the end of the program, participants were able to write their names in the Baybayin script and deepen their appreciation of its significance in the study of law. The ACP, organized in collaboration with the ALS Student Council, is one of several programs lined up for this year’s Katutubo Month.