My latest publication, Kulay : Baybayin is now available for pre-order via Kickstarter! Click here to order. If you order via Kickstarter, there’s some specials like free shipping (US only) and discounted custom Baybayin Calligraphy art. The book will be launched on October 4 at the Festival of Philippine Art and Culture in Los Angeles.
Coming in early October is Kulay : Baybayin coloring book. I’ll launch this at FPAC on 10/4-5 in LA. This simple book will have each of the 17 basic Baybayin characters that can be colored. Also included are the basics of the script. Each one will come with a link where you can download a FREE digital copy you can print at home for more fun coloring.
I first heard about this modern version of Baybayin in 2008 from my friend Ray Haguisan who showed me a photocopy of one of the pages he got from someone at a Filipino Festival. The book Aklat sanayan ng abakadang Rizaleo (1994) by Marius V Diaz. Since then, I’ve been been looking for a copy of the whole book. While filming my documentary, Sulat ng Malansang Isda (Writing of the Stinky Fish) in Manila in 2012, I learned that there should be a copy at the National Library. In order to visit the Filipiana room, I needed a library card. One of the requirements to register for a card is a 1×1 photo. I walked out the building and searched for the 1st photo booth that I found at the “Seafarers Center”, the epicenter for the Philippine maritime industry. I got in line with applying seamen to get a photo taken. The line was going fast and guys were just putting on the white uniform and grabbing their necessary epaulet. When it was my turn I didn’t feel like explaining my situation so I put on the uniform and picked my shoulder strap. I didn’t want to pick something the previous guys got in case they question me so I randomly picked one. Turned out to be for an engineer. There’s much more to the story but I’ll save it for another time. Basically, it was an ordeal to find it.
The book itself is 50 pages and starts off with a short introduction then workbook style pages on how to write the strokes.
Also in the book are different styles of the script
It ends with a story about Jose Rizal
While the script is based on Baybayin, it was heavily modified with extra characters like TH-X-Z. The way its written is like an alphabet rather than an alpha-syllabary as seen in the example below.
In Mount Bahahaw, there are some signs written in the script by Rizalistas. Check out Philippine based photographer, Sydney Snoeck’s website for more photographs.
HARAYA ng PILIPINO! Culture & Indi-Genius Vision! Come celebrate the release of 3 amazing books! Back from the Crocodile’s Belly, Sulat ng Kaluluwa, & The Forgotten Children of Maui. Meet 5 authors, Elenita Leny Strobel, Jane Alfonso, Michael Gonzalez, Kristian Kabuay, and Lane Wilcken! There will be book talks, demonstrations, music, and performances!
3/23/14
1-5PM
Bayanihan Center
San Francisco, California, USA
FB invite
I’m proud to announce the release of my 2nd book, Sulat ng Kaluluwa (Writing of the Soul) officially launching on October 11, 2013 at the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, California, USA 6:30PM to 9PM. Here’s a link to the Facebook event.
Sulat ng Kaluluwa (Writing of the Soul) is the 2nd book by Ancient Philippine Calligraphy (Baybayin) Artist, Kristian Kabuay. The book features over 50 images of artwork and accompanying stories written by people from around the world. The concept was for each person to provide a word or name and write what it means to them. From the word and story, Kristian created the art.
The pre-sale with early bird pricing and specials is starting NOW at SulatngKaluluwa.com/buy that will lead you to the Kickstarter campaign.
The specials are as follows:
#1 $5 – eBook in PDF format (no crappy DRM)
#2 $13 – Early bird pricing for ebook + 1 book. Includes shipping to the USA. The book will retail for $14.99 starting October 11.
#3 $25 – eBook+ 1 book + a name or word in the Philippine script on 5×7 watercolor paper. Includes shipping to the USA.
#4 $50 – eBook + 1 book + a word or name in the Philippine script on 5×7 watercolor paper a + Baybayin snapback hat. Includes shipping to the USA.
Delivery will be late October
It’s been a while since I posted. I actually missed announcing an event I did at Treasure Island last weekend.
#1 I’ve started to create more pieces for events this spring/summer. You can see some at my Instagram account. You can search for Baybayin to find me.
#2 My Spring/Summer schedule is starting to take shape. Please note some dates may change. SFSU lecture 4/10, 111 Minna April Sketch Tuesdays (3rd week), Treasure Island 4/27-28, Vegas 5/11-15, SF Asian Street Fest 5/18, SF Philippine Independence Day @ Union Square 6/15, Europe 6/?????, Delano 7/??, SF Yerba Buena 8/11-12, LA 9/??
For Vegas, I’m doing an event at the “Pinoy Pride Celebration” 5/11-12. I’m looking to do something during the late afternoons/evenings. Anyone got a hookup with UNLV for a lecture/workshop?
#3 I’m announcing my 2nd book to be released later this year titled “Baybayin Stories”
It will be a collection of art and personal stories. Basically, you tell me your story and I’ll make art for you and publish them both in the book. More details at BaybayinStories.com. Here’s a sample of how a page would look like…
Now available in the US/Canada, one of a few Baybayin books published in the Philippines. Learn how to write the script along with the spiritual connection. This book is about 80% in Tagalog and 20% English. 80 pages black and white.
Mike Pangilinan just posted the artwork for his upcoming book, “An Introduction to Kulitan”. No details yet about the release date or cost but I believe it will be great because of his passion. Can’t wait to check it out in July (more on that later).
I hope this is serves as inspiration to those who want to bring legitimacy to their Baybayin causes. To give you context, there are certain groups and individuals in the Baybayin community that are pushing their own ideas on modernization and standardization. There are also thoughts that their own language is being destroyed and/or being phased out by the dominant Tagalog based educational/entertainment system. What I’ve stressed to these individuals is that you need to take things in your own hands. It’s easy to blame the “system” and those who hold you down. There will always be roadblocks and it’s up to you to figure out how to work around them. Mike is a perfect example on how one gets things done.
Dagat of Dawa Tattoo in Cebuy City and Boracay recently uploaded some images of “Aginid, Bayok sa Atong Tawarik” (Glide on: an Ode to Our History) by Jovito Abellana in 1952.
According to Jovito Abellana, his great grandfather found the history of Cebu written in Baybayin (Alibata) on pandan leaves that he translated in the script.
Here’s a photo of the text from Nick Elizar of Balintawak Escrima
What’s interesting is that he uses the trailing kudlit to cancel the vowel (click on the image for a bigger photo). Here’s a good writeup on the book.
What do you think? Legit? Something like the stone?
So who has a PDF copy they can share with me? Salamat
Books, art and music! 3 of my favorite things! The 1st Filipino American International Book Festival is this weekend, Oct 1-2 in between the San Francisco Main Library and the Asian Art Museum. I’ll be signing my book with the Baybayin Burner – Ray Haguisan and our very special guest, the Baybayin font king – Norman de los Santos who will bring copies of Anak Bathala.
Come by for custom artwork and translations. I’ll also be displaying my collection of old Baybayin stamps, money and other goodies.
Kristian Kabuay 