I learned to read and write Baybayin in the mid-2000s—specifically the Baybayin-Tagalog variant (the variants officially recognized by Unicode also include Baybayin-Buhid, Baybayin-Hanunoo, and Baybayin-Tagbanwa.). I promoted its use, taught it, created materials, and wrote articles. I am no expert, but I helped reignite modern public interest in the script back when only a few of us were advocating for it.

But let us be honest: the traditional Baybayin system remains stuck in the past. We cannot practically use it today. While there have been many attempts to modernize it, these countless competing proposals have actually only confused Filipinos. Furthermore, not a single modernized version has been approved by the Unicode Consortium—if they even submitted a proposal. This digital roadblock prevents us from using any updated variant without complex technical workarounds and custom font installations.

Without institutional government backing, Baybayin is functionally relegated to historical and decorative use. So, why wait? Why not simply adopt an existing system like Sejonggeul, which is arguably the best writing system ever created?