Mangyan Ambahan:

Wisdom for Our Filipino Soul


Screening of a documentary by Chiara Cox and the Mangyan Heritage Center

There are only four indigenous Filipino scripts that have been in continuous daily use since the 10th century AD. These were inscribed in the UNESCO Memory of the World Programme. Of these four writing systems, the Hanunuo Mangyan have their "ambahan" (poetry/song) to provide us with details of the pre-colonial Filipino. Through interviews with key people in the Mangyan Heritage Center, this video sheds light on the script, poetry/songs, and philosophy of the Mangyan, as well as a glimpse into our own Filipino soul.

A discussion will be held afterwards with the video producer Chiara Cox and local Filipino Americans Che and Eric Vejerano who lived and worked as volunteers in Mindoro with the Mangyan tribe.

October 5, 2024

Richland Library3pm-4:30pm

The North American Premiere at Richland Library 

The Philippine Premiere at Arthaland Century Pacific Tower 

The Virtual World Premiere at SOAS University of London

SAVE THE DATE:
23 January 20258:00 - 10:00 A.M. EST1:00 - 3:00 P.M. London9:00 – 11:00 P.M. Manila
On World Endangered Writing Day 2025, "Mangyan Ambahan: Indigenous Wisdom for the Filipino” will be presented by Chiara Cox and the Mangyan Heritage Center in conjunction with SOAS University of London and the National Museum of Language, followed by a Q&A and discussion moderated by the Endangered Alphabets Project.
This film is a deep dive into one of the few surviving ancient Filipino writing systems—the Hanunuo Mangyan script. As one of only four pre-10th-century scripts still in use, it remains an essential part of Mangyan culture through the ambahan—beautiful sung poetry that shares wisdom across generations. Chiara’s documentary brings this unique tradition to life through interviews and stories, revealing its enduring impact on Filipino heritage and the global diaspora.
Register for this presentation and a discussion with Chiara Cox, the Mangyan Heritage Center Board of Trustees, Cristina Juan of SOAS, Gregory Nedved of the National Museum of Language, and Tim Brookes of the Endangered Alphabets Project at https://soas-ac-uk.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcpdOGtrz0jEtf_LgsCpLxjnEaIyFhcpD4D#/registration 
There is very little recognition, let alone praise, for people who are working to revive their traditional or emerging scripts. 
An endangered or emerging alphabet is almost always a symptom of a marginalized or suppressed community—a group of people who are routinely dismissed or discriminated against by their neighbors and, often, by the regional or national government.
If such a group, or an individual, tries to promote their script, at best they will be ignored; at worst, much worse things may happen. We know of at least four people who have been assassinated for trying to create or revive a script for their people, and others have been arrested or exiled.  
Endangered Alphabets has therefore set up an awards ceremony for people and organizations engaged in such activities who deserve recognition. We don’t have any funds we can give them; we can only give them an award—but that award shows them that they are not working in isolation and darkness. It offers encouragement such as they may not otherwise get—and it also shows whoever is opposing them that out in the broad world, others are watching and applauding. 
~ Tim Brookes, Founder, the Endangered Alphabets Project ~
For other awardees, please visit: World Endangered Writing Day 2025 Awards