Have you ever been to Boracay? Have you witnessed the before and after version of it? A lot of people were thrilled to see how the new island of Boracay looked like after its rehabilitation. In addition to that, Boracay also is a main attraction to foreign tourists because of the stores and amenities that people can find there.

It's quite evident that Boracay has new sets of signages and foreign-language boards, however, the Baybayin will be set to take on and be the main text of the signages there.

What is Baybayin?

The Baybayin text is an ancient script utilized by the Tagalog people primarily. It is an indigenous script that has been widespread in traditional and cultural Tagalog people. Many Filipinos have the misconception that Baybayin and Alibata are two different things.

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To be clear, Alibata and Baybayin are two (2) correct terms used to describe how the ancient and traditional Tagalog people communicated. They're the same thing; the only difference is that Alibata is not the correct term to be used in this context.

With the new Boracay beach paradise, Malay officials of Aklan has taken proper and appropriate actions to somehow resuscitate the pre-hispanic Philippine writing and speaking system. This would mean that they will be required to utilize the Baybayin as the main form of text in their business establishment and government offices' signages. 

Executive Order Number (No.) 10 gives power to the local government of Malay because they have the jurisdiction over the island of Boracay. They said that as part of Boracay's main "tropical design and signages," the Baybayin text should be the one they are utilizing.

Abram Sualog, Acting Mayor of the Malay said that the main text should be in Baybayin. However, they're not restricting subtitles of other languages. More so, this should be carried out mainly by main establishments.

Main text must be written in Baybayin (with English subtitle and other languages, as the case may be). Government structures like schools municipal halls, barangay halls, health care centers and other public structures and public spaces shall be the first to comply with this signage guide and be followed by private establishments and structures.

Where it all began

Executive Order No. 10 was concocted after Filipino people saw different Boracay establishments with signs and symbols in foreign languages only. This drew a lot of criticism among the establishments and also drew the attention of the Malay government.

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In addition to what Sualog said, Deputy Ground Commander of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Task Force Boracay, Alfredo Orolfo, said that these signages are ought for foreigners to be able to read through these signs.

With Chinese signages proliferating in Boracay and other foreign signage, it will be contained now because the committee will ensure that the Filipino alphabet or words should be read by the tourists. We are not removing the foreign words, but since we are in the Philippines, foreign words should not be prominent in our signs. Right now, we are becoming foreigners in our land because we cannot even read what the name of the establishment is, we cannot even read what products they sell there."

Are there any other requirements for the signages?

In addition to the emphasis on the Baybayin text, the guideline also made a mention of the preferred size of the signages. It said that these should "conform with the design standards which will be given by the National Building Code and other local ordinances." 

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To help with the provision of keeping the island free from garbage and unwanted materials, the new guidelines also halted the utilization of temporary signages and tarpaulins to be used in the island.

These new guidelines of the island will mandate almost everything from the standards of the design of existing establishments to the newer ones on the island.

They also have made some of the guidelines for the use of natural materials like bamboo and wood for the exteriors; earth tones for both the exterior and interior paints.

When did these guidelines came out?

Do you remember the rehabilitation of the island? Well, these guidelines were issued months after the new Boracay reopened from its cleansing. For six (6) months last year, the island paradise reopened since our dear President Duterte was alarmed of the physical state of the island.

In order to spread traditional Filipino culture, Boracay signanges will be written in Baybayin as the main text. More so, the use of materials that are not good for the environment will also be prohibited.