Jewelry maker revives old Filipino writing in craft

Jewelry maker revives old Filipino writing in craft
Inquirer.net, Philippines
Inquirer
Last updated 00:01am (Mla time) 12/09/2007

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna — Shirley Libre, a micro entrepreneur, has the biggest dreams for Baybayin Crafts.

Beyond the elegance of her jewelry, these promote cultural heritages.

The Baybayin Crafts started in 2004, offering a selection of necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and other items such as key chains, cell phone accessories and wind chimes.

The beads and pendants are made out of dolomite and terracotta clay and are engraved with the Baybayin script.

Not only for artistic expression, but the Baybayin characters also speak of certain virtues and Filipino values.

“It is basically changing the culture of wearing jewelry. You wear positive thoughts that you want to acquire in your life,” Shirley explains.

Some of the accessories are engraved with “bathala” (god), “equanimity,” “journey into the light within,” “inner strength,” or “self-realization.”

Following the thoughts of Japanese researcher Masaru Emoto, Shirley believes that the encryptions bring positive energy to the person wearing them.

Shirley gets her ideas from her own experience and other people’s thoughts.

She says she used to have about a hundred varieties of encryptions until she established the predominant choices of the customers.

And since her market comes from the younger generation, Shirley eventually learned the fad and added “Pinoy,” “astig,” and “kering-keri” to the selection.

Learning her ABCs

In 1985, Shirley worked in a nongovernment organization for the indigenous people.

Part of their activity was to visit the Mangyans in Mindoro where she met a young native who taught her the indigenous Baybayin writing system or Surat Mangyan.

As if a work of fate, Shirley met the native again after ten years and was reminded of their first encounter.

Little did she know that after another decade, she would be working with the ancient script.

The Baybayin, also known as Alibata, is an ancient, pre-colonial syllabic writing.

It is composed of 17 characters, each representing a syllable instead of a single sound as with the English alphabet.

According to Shirley, the Baybayin continues to exist today but only among the Buhid and the Hanunoo groups of the Mangyan tribe.

“There’s something that the Baybayin rouses in you,” Shirley notes.

She explains that the ancient thinking had always been syllabic until the colonizers came.

“Other cultures like India, China, Korea, and Japan entered the atomic age using their ancient script with pride,” Shirley adds.

Taking pride with the ancient culture, Shirley believes that “Filipinos need to go back to our own Baybayin. Not necessarily to use it but to at least appreciate it through arts and in their day-to-day lives.”

Manlilikha

Shirley took up pottery lessons in 2001.

She remembers that while everyone in the class was making vigil candles and offertory plates, she instead became fond of molding small clay beads and carving Baybayin in them.

Using the pseudonym Manlilikha (creator), Shirley decided to join trade bazaars to showcase the Baybayin Crafts.

The first occasion was in 2004 during the Linggo ng Wika celebration in Quiapo, Manila, followed by a trade fair held in Los Baños, Laguna.

“It was difficult for me to start since I was not really into business and I am still a young artist,” Shirley says.

She even remembers learning some styles of looping the cord of the necklaces from a customer in Quiapo.

Aside from pottery, Shirley also works with a group of friends promoting cultural heritage.

They call it the “Titik, Himig at Binhi” (Letters, Music and Seed) that practices the use of Baybayin script, indigenous music and instruments, and indigenous or organic agriculture.

Consignment

Shirley displays the Baybayin Crafts through consignment in gift shops in Los Baños and Manila.

With help from her friends, she continues to participate in trade bazaars and school fairs.

“I don’t know yet where to go from here,” Shirley says when asked of any plan to put up her own store or open a business outlet in malls.

As for exporting her products, she says she wants to promote the Baybayin Crafts among Filipinos first.

Shirley now works with two of her part-time helpers at home.

She really intends to set up her working place at the foot of Mt. Makiling, finding much inspiration from its scenery.

She says she will also have to invest for a bigger kiln in the future.

According to Shirley, the Baybayin Crafts has now become her main source of living. She may not earn much from it but, she says, it is enough to support her and pay her staff.

“What is important is that I enjoy creating and people enjoy buying and using the Baybayin Crafts,” Shirley says.

Promoting the ancient script and the wearing of positive soul qualities gives meaning to her as an artist, she adds. Maricar Cinco, Inquirer Southern Luzon

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