Philippine Study Group [About Us]

About Us

What is PSG?

Why is there a need for a
Philippine Study Program?

What has the PSG done?

ALIBATA
The Ancient Philippine Script

Alibata, also known as Baybayin, is an ancient Tagalog script. It has 17 basic symbols, 3 of which are the vowels A, I, and U. The consonants are B, K, D, G, H, L, M, N, Nga, P, S, T and W. A diacritical mark called kudlit modifies the sound of the symbol. The kudlit could be a dot, a short line, or even an arrowhead. For more information about ALIBATA, please visit this link.

View Samples of the Philippine Ancient Script

A Page from the Original Doctrina Cristiana

Laguna Copper Plate

More links to come!

Why is there a need for research?
Why a Philippine Studies Program?

"Ang hindi lumingon sa kanyang pinanggalingan,
Hindi makararating sa kanyang paroroonan."
(He who does not look back will not reach his destination.)

A people's history and cultural heritage are that people's own unique possessions. They are a bond that holds that people together, connecting them with each other, linking the past with the present, offering them a way to view and understand themselves better.

As Filipinos, learning about our own cultural and historical heritage allows us to explore and deal with issues facing us and our children. A Philippine Studies Program will bring back a lost tradition of academic exploration of Filipino history, culture, anthropology, sociology and health. In the United States, Filipinos are the fastest growing Asian group. Filipino migration to the United States has gone on for over 100 years, increasing exponentially in the last two decades. A Philippine Studies Program will help provide a broader perspective on this matter and will help our children deal with complex issues or race, culture, and identity. In establishing this Philippine Studies program and center, the PSG will help in the ultimate goal of preserving and understanding our heritage and existence as a campus community, as well as a greater Filipino and Filipino-American Community.

Eventually, a constant interchange of ideas and research between scholars in the Philippines and in The University of Michigan is hoped for. At present, there is not much research being done on pre-colonial history and culture in the Philippines, and it is a goal of the Philippine Studies Program to shed light on our beginnings as a people.

We believe that we can successfully move forward to the future by embracing our culture.