SB19 drops in for Baybayin-writing challenge at Sentro Rizal in SF

Global P-Pop sensation and “Youth and Sentro Rizal Ambassador” SB19 visits Sentro Rizal San Francisco, the hub for Philippine culture and the arts in the Bay Area on  Nov. 17. CONTRIBUTED

SAN FRANCISCO –Pinoy Pop (P-Pop) global sensation SB19 joined fans for a Baybayin-writing session during a courtesy call at the Philippine Consulate Nov. 17, a day before their concert in nearby Redwood City.

SB19 members Pablo, Josh, Stell, Ken and Justin took part in the Sentro Rizal presentation “Sulat Baybayin: A CalligraFilipino Exclusive With SB19.”

Consul General Neil Ferrer lauded SB19 welcomed the first Filipino and Southeast Asian act to be nominated in Billboard Music Awards for the Top Social Artist category, and the first Southeast Asian act to enter the Top 10 of Billboard Social 50 weekly and year-end charts.

Ferrer also cited the selection of SB19 as “Youth and Sentro Rizal Ambassadors” by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

SB19 members then joined the Filipino American community members in the Bay Area for the “Sulat Baybayin” event, facilitated by CalligraFilipino creator and 2022 NCCA Competitive Grants recipient Taipan Lucero.

SB19 members Pablo, Josh, Stell, Ken and Justin took part in the Sentro Rizal presentation “Sulat Baybayin: A CalligraFilipino Exclusive With SB19.” CONTRIBUTED

Each SB19 member completed a CalligraFilipino art challenge with the help of selected Filipino American community members. The output from the art-making activity revolves around the theme of Filipino culture and pride, with the baybayin translations of Filipino words “Pilipino,” “bayani, “kapwa,” “kaisa,” and “puso.”

The group of SB19 member Stell and West Bay Pilipino Multi-Service Center was judged the winner of the art challenge.

Among the organizations represented include the Filipino American Arts Exposition (FAAE), West Bay Pilipino Multi-Service Center, Filipino Education Center (FEC) Galing Bata Bilingual Program at Bessie Carmichael School, the Philippine Studies Department of the City College of San Francisco (CCSF), and the University of the Philippines Alumni Association of San Francisco (UPAASF).

Sentro Rizal San Francisco was opened to the public in 2019 as the hub for Philippine culture and the arts in the Bay Area. Located at a 2,700-square-foot space at the 5th floor of the Consulate, Sentro Rizal comprises the Museo ng Lahing Pilipino (Museum of the Filipino People), the Sentro Rizal Library, and Virtual Sentro Rizal.

The Consulate’s Sentro Rizal houses two original paintings of Fernando Amorsolo, the Philippines’ first National Artist, Filipiniana fashion, and Philippine history bas-reliefs, as well a collection of around 1,500 Filipino and Filipino American books and publications. END