Baybayin tattoo exhibit in San Francisco explores Filipino heritage

SAN FRANCISCO – The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco is hosting a one-of-a-kind exhibit that shines the spotlight on the ancient Filipino practice of tattooing and the revival of baybayin, an indigenous form of  writing in the Philippines.

In celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, the Consulate – through Sentro Rizal San Francisco – has opened the “Bagong Liwanag 2: Baybayin Tattoos,” a solo exhibit by San Jose-based Filipino tattoo artist Jeff Maronilla-Seva Quintano, at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center in San Francisco. The exhibit will run until May 31.

Bay Area-based Filipino tattoo artist Jeff Maronilla-Seva Quintano (center) holds his solo exhibit, “Bagong Liwanag 2: Baybayin Tattoos,” at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center in San Francisco. Photo by Lou Angeles

The “Bagong Liwanag” (“New Light”) exhibit, which was first mounted at San Francisco’s Sentro Filipino earlier this year, highlights the Filipino American community’s efforts to connect to their Filipino roots and represent their culture in America.

In his remarks, Consul General Neil Ferrer noted that in the Philippines, May is also celebrated as National Heritage Month.

“This year, the Philippine government has adopted the theme ‘Championing Heritage: Capacity Building to Transform Communities,’ in recognition of our cultural workers and advocates who have made it their mission to connect with Philippine indigenous communities in highlighting local ingenuity and creativity, and in creating opportunities for local artisans and culture bearers to thrive in mainstream society,” Ferrer said.

Ferrer cited the exhibit’s unique theme of tattooing, which was a widely popular and respected art form among the Philippines’ various ethnic groups during the pre-colonial period.

Breaking the social taboo

“In hosting Jeff’s solo exhibit here at the Consulate, we are also helping break the social taboo that has long surrounded the art of tattooing in mainstream society…Common for both women and men, body tattoos are a form of indigenous language that conveys the wearer’s kinship, tribal identity, social status, personal history and spiritual beliefs,” he added.

From left: Vice Consul Adrian Baccay, Consul Vanessa Bago-Llona, Jeff Maronilla-Seva Quintano, Consul General Neil Ferrer, Consul Jed Llona and Consul Rowena Pangilinan-Daquipil. Photo by Lou Angeles

“Thus, the baybayin tattoos that we see in the exhibit are certainly not just skin-deep expressions of Filipino pride. In more ways than one, these tattoos are representations of a long-lost tradition that connect its wearers to their ancestral roots, and give them a richer understanding of their identity as Filipinos,” Consul General Ferrer further said.

The Philippine Consul General took the opportunity to recognize Quintano and other cultural advocates such as Taipan Lucero and the Bay Area’s Kristian Kabuay, for “highlighting the baybayin and the indigenous tattoo art as distinctive symbols of our heritage.”

“Understanding and embracing our identity can uplift a person’s spirit which will make them more resilient in a world where minorities are subject to unequal treatment,” Quintano said in his message. “It is encouraging to see our script on street signs, logos, tattoos, and more – it signals acceptance, youth interest and government support.”

The exhibit will run at the Philippine Center’s Kalayaan Hall until May 31 – with a closing event featuring the world premiere of Quintano’s “Bagong Liwanag” documentary, and a screening of the film “Ang Babae sa Likod ng Mambabatok” (“The Woman Behind the Tattooist”) featuring world-renowned Kalinga tattoo artist Whang-od, in partnership with the Film Development Council of the Philippines.

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