Since joining TikTok last December, I& #39;ve been immersed in learning about pre-colonial Philippines, & baybayin (the writing system) which led to my newfound appreciation of my culture.

In spirit of #AAPIHM https://abs.twimg.com/hashflags... draggable="false" alt="">, I& #39;m starting a thread of my Filipino self-discovery journey so far https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🇵🇭" title="Flagge der Philippinen" aria-label="Emoji: Flagge der Philippinen">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🧵" title="Thread" aria-label="Emoji: Thread">

Ordered a book on Amazon, found a free "workbook", and a pretty journal to practice Baybayin

(Shadow wanted to be part of the pic https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="😂" title="Gesicht mit Freudentränen" aria-label="Emoji: Gesicht mit Freudentränen">)

So I learned super basic Japanese in college, so I can read Hiragana & Katakana. Kanji is my kryptonite https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="😩" title="Mattes Gesicht" aria-label="Emoji: Mattes Gesicht">

I will say that Baybayin is SUPER easy. You just add a & #39;kudlit& #39; to change the vowel. Now it& #39;s just practice and memorizing the symbols.

I& #39;m like most Fil-Ams, I can speak Taglish (Tagalog-English). I can understand Tagalog, but I have a hard time responding back.

I FINALLY found a FREE app that teaches you Tagalog.

It& #39;s called Drops & it& #39;s one of the most interactive language apps I& #39;ve ever used.

The methods in this app is like a mini game: drag and drop the image to the word. Word search. And the usual listen and write it.

It& #39;s def helping my ADHD brain to stay engaged.

They also have languages like Maori, Samoan, or Hawaiian!

Unfortunately, there is a paywall to unlock unlimited lessons, but I might just do it since I& #39;m so eager to learn and train my brain to finally learn Tagalog https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="💥" title="Symbol für eine Kollision" aria-label="Emoji: Symbol für eine Kollision">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="💥" title="Symbol für eine Kollision" aria-label="Emoji: Symbol für eine Kollision">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="💳" title="Kreditkarte" aria-label="Emoji: Kreditkarte">

And finally, I started a brand new account on TikTok that focuses on my Kali training (Filipino martial arts) https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👊🏽" title="Faust (mittlerer Hautton)" aria-label="Emoji: Faust (mittlerer Hautton)">

But throwing in food, baybayin, and other Filipino related things https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="😁" title="Grinsendes Gesicht mit lächelnden Augen" aria-label="Emoji: Grinsendes Gesicht mit lächelnden Augen">

Follow me (@)atejemellee

I& #39;ll add more to the thread when I feel like sharing and will probably continue after #AAPIHM https://abs.twimg.com/hashflags... draggable="false" alt=""> is over.

I hope y& #39;all don& #39;t mind some Filipino content on your feed https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="☺️" title="Lächelndes Gesicht" aria-label="Emoji: Lächelndes Gesicht">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🇵🇭" title="Flagge der Philippinen" aria-label="Emoji: Flagge der Philippinen">

Ok I& #39;m dying cus we have words that I thought was slang but I guess it& #39;s normalized now like CR for toilet. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="😂" title="Gesicht mit Freudentränen" aria-label="Emoji: Gesicht mit Freudentränen">

But then we have straight up English words that we use in Tagalog like restaurant https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="😭" title="Laut schreiendes Gesicht" aria-label="Emoji: Laut schreiendes Gesicht">