QUILL
“The simplicity is
what makes Baybayin
beautiful. With only
17 characters, you
find consistency yet
still able to express
infinitely.”
How does Surat Magazine tie in with your
advocacy to keep Baybayin alive? Who's it for, and
of all mediums, why a magazine?
1. Validates the interest, 2. Validates the economic
value, 3. Creates an outlet for practitioners, 4. Marketing.
It’s for anyone interested in Philippine culture and
specifically scripts. I decided on a magazine because
it hasn’t really been done before (for Baybayin). Some
people still like to hold physical goods.
One of the ways our ancient text continues to
live in modern times is through art (here in the
Philippines, Baybayin tattoos are popular). As an
art form, what makes Baybayin beautiful?
The simplicity is what makes it beautiful. With
only 17 characters, you find consistency yet still able to
express infinitely.
Talk about 2018. What's your outlook for Baybayin
in the next 12 months? And what do you hope to
accomplish through Surat by the end of the year?
It will continue to grow in interest. I’m not
expecting anything groundbreaking. With Surat, I’d
like it to become a quarterly magazine that creates
opportunities for people and gets them paid.
Learn more about pre-Philippine scripts and Kristian's work with
Baybayin on baybayin.com. Follow @baybayin on Facebook
and Instagram.
Surat Magazine cover mockup
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