Customizing Comments Section (Switching between Latin and Baybayin Script)

Isn’t it cool to type in our very own language script? I mean our native alphasyllabary (not alphabet) which is Baybayin, incorrectly known as Alibata. Although, Baybayin has been long forgotten by today’s generation. There is one living script that is being used in the southern part of our archipelago – Surat Mangyan.

Anyway, there are other Baybayin like Pámagkulit (Súlat Kapampangan), Hanunóo and Buhid (Surat Mangyan), Suwat Bisaya, Tagbanua, Basahan (Bikol Script)  and of course the Tagalog Script, which I am using in this site. I didn’t know that these scripts actually existed/exists. And there are a lot of variations, distinct similarities and differences. Considering that in today’s time, I and other Baybayin enthusiasts created our own Baybayin WebFonts. These webfonts are of course based/patterned in the preserved documents (with Baybayin writings) and to some extent created for graphics and arts for today’s generation.

And so, on to the actual topic of this post. Last year, I was able to embedded a Baybayin typepad in my Blogspot site. The Typepad was created by Marfeal Santiago and modified by JC John Sese Cuneta. Back then, typing and then copy-pasting is the only solution I knew to post comments and posts. The other day, as I was visiting this site after six months of hiatus I came up with an idea of editing my comments section so that it would render Baybayin and lift me the burden of copy-pasting comments and articles.

wordpress

This is just a little tweak and edit in the comments.php file of your WordPress theme (yep, for WordPress self-hosted blogs only).

1. Locate the <textarea> tags in your comments.php file.
2. Insert the javascript code above the <textarea>. The same code from the Baybayin typepad created by Marfeal Santiago.
3. Replace your comments.php <textarea> with the <textarea> code from the Baybayin typepad. You can adjust the preferred columns and rows.
4. Finally, change the <textarea id> and <textarea name> from “TypePad” to “comments”. Save and your done.
5. Like in the image below. You can change the language scripts by pressing F12.

blogspot

First time I saw the Baybayin typepad, I knew If I had the codes I can at least embedded it in my Blogger account. And I did, as I stated earlier in this post. The idea of editing my blogspot comments area came up when Animevenus93 asked me if it is possible. Well, I said yes.

However, I couldn’t find the <textarea> tags in the HTML view of my blogspot. What I did was insert the exact codes of the Baybayin typepad. The result is placing a typepad rather than a comment box. Since, the <textarea id> and <textarea name> should also be change. It isn’t possible. Yeah, I forgot that BcS (Blogger commenting System) is built-in in the whole package of the site. I tried to look at its source code using Opera Dragonfly. I guess there is nothing I can do. I know nothing about <iframe>. Sorry, Animevenus93. I thought I could.

baybayin writer 1.0 wordpress plug-in

Hmn… A WordPress Plug-in. Last night, I was really desperate in hacking BcS. Until I saw a WordPress plug-in for Indian languages and script. There I go again, modifying and editing the program/software. If you would scroll down in my comments area, this is different from the image above. I am already using the plug-in. I’ll post about it later this week. Below is an image preview. Great days ahead fellow enthusiasts!

A selection between Latin and Baybayin Script just below the Post Area.

Are you seeing boxes or squares instead of the Baybayin Script? You may need to download and install the Baybayin Modern Font (BMF) Unicode Mono.

This site is best viewed with Firefox 7.0.1.