Artist Revives Ancient Filipino Writing System

Artist Christine Balza is a self-taught woman, at least in the main language of her art. The Dublin-based artist makes jewelry showcasing an ancient Filipino writing system that her Filipino parents had never heard of growing up on the islands.   

Balza creates jewelry and other art inspired by the nearly dead alphabet of Baybayin. She’s having her first ever art opening at the Linen Life Gallery in San Leandro this Sunday.

Baybayin is an ancient writing system from the islands now known as the Philippines. It was widely used among the inhabitants when the Spanish arrived in the Philippines in the 1600s.

“Baybay” means “to spell” in Tagalog, one of the Philippines' main languages. It is made up of 17 letters or symbols that represent the sounds of spoken Tagalog.

Spanish missionaries documented how the native inhabitants, including women and children, wrote Baybayin text on bamboo, leaves and other natural materials. 

Some Spanish learned the written language and used it to spread Christian doctrine. But Baybayin was eventually replaced by the Roman alphabet. It’s only recently begun a resurgence among younger Filipinos, as they seek ways to reclaim their cultural heritage.

Balza, who’s 43, grew up mostly in the U.S. but also lived for several brief stints in the Philippines. There, she was introduced to Baybayin in her fifth grade Filipino cultural class, while her father was stationed at the former Clark U.S. Air Force Base on Luzon Island.

 She didn’t see it again until a cousin came back from the first Gulf War with a Baybayin phrase tattooed on his body.

“I said, ‘I know what that is.’”

After that, Balza started to see more and more Baybayin, on T-shirts and tattoos, especially among Filipino-American college students “who want to connect with their culture,” she said.

“It’s something tangible, it’s something they can see.”

But, as Balza said, not everybody wants a tattoo, so she started creating jewelry imprinted with Baybayin symbols and sayings.

Until Darrell Robinson, the owner of Linen Life, discovered Balza and her jewelry on her Facebook page, Balza had stuck to selling her work at arts and crafts fairs and Filipino cultural events. This will be her first formal art show.

Balza has also begun painting depictions of Filipino legends, some of which she’ll be showing at Linen Life. Several of her paintings were recently published in Tayo Literary Magazine, a chic new magazine featuring Filipino-American artists and writers.

From homemade presents to home business

Only recently did Balza begin to think of herself an artist. Mostly, she considers herself a hobbyist. Balza crochets, writes calligraphy, paints watercolors, and makes ceramic plates and mugs.

“You name it,” she said. “If I’ve never done it, I’ll give it a try.”

In 2005, she made a ceramic pendant imprinted with Baybayin script for her sister. It was a hit, and she began making the pendants for friends and family members.  

Balza has now been selling her work for four years and takes custom orders through her website. She sometimes sells Baybayin-engraved ceramic pieces, which she fires in a kiln at her home, as party favors for weddings.

Balza also engraves onto silver and burns Baybayin phrases onto pieces of bamboo.

Though Balza’s parents are both from the Philippines, she grew up speaking English rather than Tagalog. So her work in Baybayin script requires a lot of research.

“I’m constantly looking things up on the Internet,” she said. Recently, she’s been digging up Filipino proverbs — for example, "Bahala Na," which translates loosely to "whatever happens, happens" — to make into art.

Her themes are mostly spiritual or inspirational, sometimes with a twist of whimsy, Balza said. Like “pogi,” slang for handsome, which she sometimes emblazons on t-shirts and pendants.

Balza credits Robinson, the owner of Linen Life, with opening her up to the idea that she’s an artist.

“I was like, really? I am!”

Balza's show, Ancestors Awaken, opens at The Linen Life Gallery, 770 E. 14th St., this Sunday, March 26. There will be an opening reception with wine, cheese and music from 6 to 9 p.m.

Along with the show, Balza plans to hold workshops at Linen Life on writing and understanding Baybayin. If you’re interested, you can sign up at Linen Life on Sunday, or email Balza: xtinebalza@aol.com.