About

Bibliotikal is an online journal and digital archive dedicated to the exploration of critical Visayan history. Well, not really a journal. More of a long-list of happy criticisms.

Founded in 2021 by Pippo Carmona, a Visayan biologist and historian, 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. Sponsorships are welcome, especially from restaurants. Historians are always hungry.

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. Double-edged. Bibliotikal aims for this latter pursuit by adopting its own personal ethos of academic tinikal: the stitching of grand stories with data, sources, experts under scrutiny. Bibliotikal strongly commits to moving past simplistic accounts by engaging deeply with primary and secondary materials. No surface skimming. No platitudes.

Tinikal with Citations.

The Visayan past is a beast with too many shadows. So, we go where the light’s thin (also because we love horror). And it's quite dim where biology is entangled with history and Philippine economic history bleeds from a Marxist critique. Reductionism has no place in the proper study of history. Just as hacenderos don't deserve any elevated platform in history, in all walks of life for that matter.

We also believe that quality and worthwhile research work can be done outside academia. In this regard, our digital vault is open if you’re serious: students, researchers, the just-plain-curious. Every article is a fiesta of footnotes. Want a source? Ask. We’ll throw it your way. No gatekeeping and no fees collected. So, read, fight, and cite.

Madamo nga salamat!