Baybayin Archives


 
duration
project type
tools
9 Months 
Web Design, Typography
Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Figma, Webflow
 
Baybayin Archives is a project I pursued for my undergrad thesis. This project is meant to explore the pre-colonial Filipino script baybayin through re-imagined Filipino design artifacts. When I began this project, the goal of my research was to find ways in which I could actively learn more about my culture and history as a second-generation Filipino-Canadian. I also felt that as a designer, I had the opportunity to explore an aspect of the rich visual culture of the Philippines and contribute to that vibrancy in my own way. I was particularly drawn to delving into Baybayin which is a pre-colonial phonetic script that was lost as a result of colonization.

Visit the site ︎ here



My aim is to answer the call of the “what ifs” echoed throughout history and to further conversation amongst Filipinos. As people go through the archives, I want them to really question: what if Baybayin still existed to this day, and what if it had been give the opportunity to evolve and grow?

The archive was built in the hope of building understanding on Baybayin’s history and the potential of this pre-colonial script in visually identifying Filipino voices and culture.  


from the archive



I think it’s also important to acknowledge the richness of language within the Philippines. Baybayin has been argued as being a Tagalog-centric script, and I’d like to validate sentiments of alienation that may exist among Filipinos in imposing Baybayin. Some have found that it is not inclusive of all Filipino dialects. There are a variety of ways that the Ancient character forms are written throughout the country. Two variations which are used today belong to the Mangyan tribe of Mindoro, the Hanunó'o-Mangyan way and Buhid-Mangyan way.

Rather than a cultural imposition for aesthetics, this exploration was an opportunity to imagine Baybayin’s place among our culture.  
 Don’t be a stranger!  Let’s create something great together ︎   Don’t be a stranger!  Let’s create something great together ︎   Don’t be a stranger!  Let’s create something great together ︎   Don’t be a stranger!  Let’s create something great together ︎   Don’t be a stranger!  Let’s create something great together ︎   Don’t be a stranger!  Let’s create something great together ︎   Don’t be a stranger!  Let’s create something great together ︎   Don’t be a stranger!  Let’s create something great together ︎   Don’t be a stranger!  Let’s create something great together ︎   Don’t be a stranger!  Let’s create something great together ︎   Don’t be a stranger!  Let’s create something great together ︎   Don’t be a stranger!  Let’s create something great together ︎  
let's connect!