An Introduction to Baybayin Lecture & Workshop video download

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Filmed on 7/28/12 at Capital G, Philippines. This was during my art show and Ka2 hat launch.

Talking points:
– What the Ka logo means
– Why Alibata?
– History
– Filam experience
– Benefits of Baybayin
– Baybayin today
– Issues
– Strokes
– Translation technique
Duration: Approximately 105 mins
File type: MP4
File size: 627mb zipped

Price: Free/Donation
I’ll leave it up to you on how much you want to pay. Even if you make the price $0.00, you will be emailed a link to you to download.

If you do wish to donate (thank you), just enter the amount and click Update Cart. You can then select Paypal or Google Checkout (you don’t need an account to buy).

Why am I doing this? I want to experiment to see if the Filipino community reacts to donation products. I think that people in general are generous enough and will donate a fair price to cover for those who cannot afford to give. Salamat

If your interested in having a lecture & workshop at your school or organization, contact me at christian@baybayin.com

Download now

Baybayin movie – The Palawan Script

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A Baybayin movie is coming soon. Not my documentary, but a real MOVIE by Auraeus Solito who’s known around the world for his films such as Busong and my favorite, The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros.

From what I’ve heard, the plot of the story is about 2 sisters (Assunta and Alessandra de Rossi – schwing) in love with a mute man. How will they communicate? Baybayin of course!

This film comes at an interesting time, not based on the resurgence of Baybayin in general but for Palawan culture stepping up and taking the international spotlight. There was the campaign of “It’s more fun in the Philippines” featuring the breathtaking promotion photos and in the San Francisco (USA) area there was a dance project called Tagabanua headed by Jay Loyola.

During my last filming trip to the Philippines, I visited the National Museum where I saw the Palawan script on bamboo from Brook’s Point. I found a book Letters from Palawan by Criselda Yabes about her 1st hand experience searching for the last few people that write the script.

In the Baybayin community, there’s a concern about the preservation of the script there because of the lack of advocates from Palawan. With this film and other cultural events, perhaps one of the artists can spearhead something in Palawan like the Mangyan Heritage Center in Mindoro and Mike Pangilingan for Kulitan from Pampanga.

Can’t wait to see it and I know it will push the Baybayin movement further. Please support this project.

Music, Baybayin Art & the Dancing Lolo

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Yesterday, I had the opportunity to do live chalk art at the tourist filled Union Square in San Francisco. It was a Filam music and art event put on by Kularts. What makes this significant is that Baybayin was seen by thousands of people all over the world. They now know that Filipinos have a writing system.

I did 2 pieces. 1 was the lyrics to Bawat Bata by Apo Hiking Society and a proverb “Kapag walang tiyaga, walang nilaga”. After I completed the Baybayin art, the public was invited to add to my artwork.

Music by Cassandra Farrar and character mural by Paolo Salazar.

EVENT: Union Square – San Francisco 8/26 2-4PM

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On Sunday August 26 from 2-4PM, I’ll be doing live Baybayin art at the world famous Union Square in downtown San Francisco.

Brought to you by Kularts

The Skyflakes, an indie band based in Milpitas, are often lovingly described as ‘cute and bubbly’ or ‘sweet and sugary.’ But underneath the indie rock swirls and cuddly pop hooks are sharp lyrics about putting bullets into yourself, dropping acid, talking shit about co-workers, and meatheads with body image problems. Composed largely of family members, the band is musically and familialy “tight” – with well-crafted electro-garage-pop melodies, hooks, and harmonies.

Dirty Boots is a multi-instrumentalist band focused on vocal harmonies and dynamic song-writing. Members James Dumlao (Drums), and Rachel Lastimosa (Bass/Piano) met each other through a vocal-jazz ensemble in college. Their unique sound combines jazz, hip-hop, indie, and soul influences. Dirty Boots released their self-titled, debut EP in May 2009. In 2011, Dirty Boots served as the house band of the monthly open-mic, In Progress, @ Mama Art Cafe in San Francisco, CA. Their first Full Length Album “Where We Go” was released September 2011.

Cassandra Farrar + The Left Brains is a fusion of folk/pop/rock sounds. With fun, quirky, and upbeat tunes, Cassandra Farrar and her Left Brains bring a variety of relatable and honest music to the table, with unique vocals and catchy hooks to get stuck inside your brain. Born and raised in SF, Cassandra has been writing songs since the 7th grade. Shortly after her high school years, Cassandra met Chris Mayrena of Hyper Raje Records. There, along with Dave Demuth, they began collaboration on her 2nd CD and the final teaming of her band mates the Left Brains, came together. Cassandra Farrar+ the Left Brains are proud to release their debut CD as a band, “Hello My Name Is…”

Join us for live mandala chalk art with talented artists: muralist/painter Paolo Salazar and Baybayin artist Christian Cabuay – grab a piece of chalk and add your own color to Union Square!

EVENT: Pistahan – San Francisco August 11-12

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It’s that time of the year again! This weekend at Yerba Buena Gardens in downtown San Francisco, I’ll be at Pistahan with Ray & Norman and maybe some surprise guests.

This year we will be having a Baybayin art show featuring the 17 characters. That’s right, 17 different pieces by artists from the US to the Philippines.

Other booth (Creativity Pavilion) activities include:
– Launch of my Ka2 hat
– Live wood burning
– Live painting
– Workshop
– New raw Philippine footage of my documentary
– Kids activities

Shogun vs Vera – UFC on FOX: An important day for Baybayin

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Today is is an important day for Baybayin. Why? Because one of the most visible people with Baybayin tattoos will be on the main UFC event tonight. Ever since Brandon Vera made is UFC debut, people have been curious as to what his tattoos mean. I won’t go in to that in this post but you can read about it here and here.

During the pre-fight feature, Brandon Vera’s wife specifically mentions “Filipino Culture” in her interview. The world knows that he’s Filipino and his tattoos are of Filipino origin. When his photo showed on the big screen at the LA Staples Center, it had his Baybayin script as his background. That is a big deal!

Even though Vera ultimately lost, the world wide spotlight he brought to Filipinos and Baybayin was unprecedented.

 

EVENT: UP Diliman – Lecture/Panel discussion 7/25

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I’ll be taking part of a lecture/panel discussion at UP Diliman 7/25. Yeah, I know it’s last minute but that’s how it goes here in the Philippines 🙂

While the topic isn’t strictly Baybayin, I’ll inject it as much as possible since its about Identity and Culture.

See ya there!

TOPIC: Filipina/o American Identity and Culture: There Is More to Us Than Just The Immigrant Narrative
WHEN: 5:00pm-8:00pm, Wednesday, July 25, 2012
WHERE: GT-Toyota Asian Center Seminar Room, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City

Baybayin documentary filming in the Philippines

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I’m currently in the Philippines doing a lectures, art shows, a product launch, research and continuing filming my documentary. I started filming some street scenes around Katipunan, Cubao and Edsa this this week. Interviews will also start this week as well.

There’s a lot more going on in Manila since I was last here in 2010 and to help document those observations on this trip, I’ve setup a blog for BaybayinFilm.com.