1. Colonial Influence:
* Spanish Colonization: The Spanish colonization of the Philippines in the 16th century brought with it the Roman alphabet as part of their language and culture. The Spanish encouraged the use of the Roman alphabet for administrative, educational, and religious purposes.
* American Occupation: The American occupation of the Philippines in the early 20th century further cemented the Roman alphabet's dominance. The Americans established an educational system based on English, which used the Roman alphabet.
2. Practicality and Accessibility:
* Printing and Literacy: The Roman alphabet had a more established printing infrastructure and was readily available. It was also easier to learn and adapt for wider literacy.
* International Communication: The Roman alphabet was already the dominant script for international communication, making it advantageous for trade and diplomacy.
3. Political and Social Factors:
* Nationalism and Identity: Some saw the adoption of the Roman alphabet as a way to integrate the Philippines into the modern world and embrace a more global identity.
* Social Mobility: Literacy in the Roman alphabet offered greater opportunities for social advancement, particularly in government and business.
4. Language Evolution:
* Language Shift: The influence of Spanish and English on the Filipino language led to the introduction of new sounds and words that were not adequately represented by the Alibata. The Roman alphabet offered a more flexible and versatile system to accommodate these changes.
5. Limited Usage:
* Declining Usage: The Alibata was not widely used across the Philippines, and its usage had declined significantly before the Spanish arrival. It was primarily used for writing in specific regions and was not a standardized script for the whole archipelago.
While the Roman alphabet became the official script, the Alibata was not completely abandoned. There was a revival of interest in Baybayin in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, and it is now recognized as a part of Philippine cultural heritage.
It is important to note that the transition was not a simple replacement but a gradual process of adaptation and assimilation. The adoption of the Roman alphabet had both positive and negative consequences, and the debate about the use of different scripts in the Philippines continues today.