About

Bibliotikal is an online journal and digital archive dedicated to the exploration of critical Visayan history.

It was started by Pippo Carmona, a Visayan biologist and historian, in 2021. Since then, Bibliotikal has been at the forefront of championing local historical research in Negros, having been invited to various national and international research fora to discuss our work. Several publications and institutions have also reached out to us for research collaboration.

The project derives its name from tikal, a Hiligaynon word that carries a deliberate ambiguity. While current usage can mean “to brag or to tell a lie” (e.g. “naga tinikal naman ang mga hacendero”), it also holds another meaning: to tell a grand story. Bibliotikal aims for this latter pursuit by adopting its own personal ethos of academic tinikal: the telling of a grand story, while grounding it firmly in rigorous scientific care.

Tinikal with Citations.

Our primary objective is to re-examine the historical record, presenting arguments pieced together from verifiable data, reputable sources, and leading experts in the field. Bibliotikal strongly commits to move past simplistic accounts by engaging deeply with primary and secondary materials.

While the project maintains a broad interest in the Visayan past, it holds a particular and insistent focus on themes often marginalised in traditional historiography. Our research and essays are concentrated on the intersections of history with biology, economics, and Marxist critique. Reductionism has no place in the proper study of history.

We also believe that quality and worthwhile research work can be done outside academia. In this regard, we are open to sharing our (digital) resources to other researchers. We seek to build an ever-growing database for students, researchers, and readers interested in a more critical and exhaustive exploration of Visayan history. Our articles are heavily and carefully footnoted with the proper citations. If any are of interest to you, send us a message (see Contact), chances are we have it ready to be sent to you!

Madamo nga salamat!