IN PHOTOS

A Filipino artist reimagines brands in Baybayin

A Filipino artist has been reimagining brands using Baybayin, the old writing system that was used in the Philippines, and uploading his work on the Likha Baybayin Facebook page. 

GMA News Senior Video Digital Video Specialist, Yvan Limson, started Likhang Baybayin on Facebook amid the quarantine period to lessen the stress of netizens while they also learn a thing or two about Baybayin.

"Gaya ng marami, kinailangan kong malibang at makalimot sa stress ngayong panahon ng quarantine," Yvan said in an interview with GMA News Online.

"Kaya naman naisip ko na buuin ang Likha Baybayin, isa itong Facebook page kung saan ko nilalagay ang aking Baybayin art works."

Yvan said with the brands he featured and the designs he created using Baybayin will make it easier for Filipinos to understand one of the country's native writing system.

"Gamit ang brands o disenyo na kilala na ng karamihan, mas madaling naipapaliwanag sa mga tao kung ano ang Baybayin," he said.

Yvan admits that he's not the first to incorporate Baybayin in designs

"Siguro kasi maganda itong paglalarawan sa kung ano ang puwedeng mangyari kung patuloy nating ginamit ang Baybayin sa ating lipunan," he continued.

Learning Baybayin and other native writing systems in the Philippines, Yvan says, is important because it is one way to celebrate the Filipino culture.

"Hindi man natin pansin o alam, nakatali sa ating kultura ang Baybayin kahit hanggang sa ngayon. Makikita ito sa mga logo ng mga ahensiya ng gobyerno, sa ating pasaporte, at kahit sa disenyo ng ating pera," Yvan said.

"Nararapat lang na atin itong pahalagahan at linangin. Huwag sana natin itong kalimutan," he added.

A writing system native to the Philippines and primarily used by the Tagalogs, Baybayin is composed of 17 letters symbolizing syllables.  

"Isa lamang ito sa napakaraming katutubong panulat dito sa ating bansa na dapat nating pag-aralan at gamitin," Yvan said.

Yvan said with resources scattered online and in social media, it has become easier for Filipinos to learn how to read and write in Baybayin.

"May mga Facebook group at page na puwede ring sundan para matuto at makakilala ng iba pang mga mahilig sa Baybayin," he said.

"Mahalaga ang mga katutubong panulat na ito dahil ito ang isa sa mga nagpapatunay na may malalim at masiglang lipunan dito sa ating kapuluan bago pa man dumating ang mga mananakop," he added. — LA, GMA News