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Taipan Lucero

Baybayin Calligraphy Artist

Images provided by Taipan Lucero

Reviving Filipino Heritage: Taipan Lucero's Baybayin Calligraphy Journey

Writing has always been a cornerstone in shaping civilizations across Asia, and the Philippines is no exception. One fascinating chapter in this narrative is Baybayin, an indigenous script with roots in ancient Indian Brahmi script, that flourished in the Tagalog region. Despite its rich history, Baybayin's significance has often been overlooked in contemporary Filipino culture. However, a growing movement is reigniting interest in this ancient script, with young artists like Taipan Lucero leading the charge to preserve and celebrate Filipino heritage through their work.

Taipan Lucero hails from Manila, with his roots in the culturally rich Ilocos and Samar regions. He pursued visual communications, advertising, and marketing at the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts. After college, he ventured into the world of advertising with friends, but a brief stint with his company led him to freelancing as a graphic designer. It was during this time that an American businessman, captivated by his work, offered him a position in Japan.

“As a foreigner in Japan, I needed to understand the aesthetics and design philosophies of the Japanese,” Taipan recalls. His employer enlisted a master calligrapher to teach him Shodo, the Japanese art of calligraphy. “I experienced first-hand how the Japanese revere and respect their culture,” he adds. The Shodo master’s teaching method was a meticulous ceremony, from the posture and brush grip to the deliberate breath of each stroke. This profound experience sparked a question in Taipan’s mind: “Why don’t we show the same love and respect to our own culture?”

With a newfound resolve, Taipan began to delve into Baybayin. He integrated techniques from Shodo into his Baybayin calligraphy, creating a unique blend that honors both his Filipino roots and his Japanese inspiration. His artwork is characterized by the use of acrylics, drawing from various Filipino cultural elements such as the Kulintang and Okir. The Kulintang, a traditional brass musical instrument from Mindanao, is known for its intricate, resonant tones and is shared with neighboring countries like Indonesia and Malaysia. The Okir, a distinctive design style of the Maranao and Tausug peoples, features floral and geometric motifs, often seen in wood and metalwork across the southern Philippines.

Taipan’s exploration was further enriched by his visit to the “Philippine Ancestral Gold” exhibit at the Ayala Museum in Manila, which showcased exquisite precolonial gold artifacts. Inspired by these treasures, he began to incorporate gold paint into his Baybayin pieces, creating a contemporary art form that highlights the beauty of Philippine history.

Taipan’s journey hasn’t been without challenges. His use of Baybayin combined with Kulintang and Okir designs sometimes leads to misconceptions, with some viewers mistaking his work for Arabic script. Taipan addresses this by emphasizing his intention to unify different aspects of Filipino culture: “We are all Filipinos,” he asserts. His art is a celebration of the rich tapestry of Filipino heritage, striving to bridge the gap between the northern and southern regions of the Philippines.

“I hope that my art will someday become a pillar of Filipino art,” Taipan expresses. He is dedicated to making his Baybayin art unmistakably Filipino, expanding the narrative beyond the typical scenes of still life, landscapes, and portraits that often define Philippine art. “Maybe we could add another staple to Filipino art,” he muses.

Taipan Lucero envisions a positive evolution for Philippine culture, inspired by the growing interest among Filipinos on social media platforms in learning about Baybayin. “If you can show love for foreign cultures like K-Pop and Korean dramas, you can show the same love for Filipino culture,” he asserts. He hopes his art will contribute to this cultural appreciation. For aspiring artists following in his footsteps, Taipan advises, “do adequate research.” As we reconnect with and understand our cultural heritage, it is our collective responsibility to respect and honor its elements, their usage, and their meanings.

Photo credit: Provided by Taipan Lucero

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