Malaya Designs' Blog

Nope, I haven’t lost my skills, far from it. Yes, I know exactly what I wrote in Baybayin and it is nothing compared to what I have seen.  It’s no secret that Baybayin tattoos have grown tremendously over the years and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.  In fact, I’ve seriously thought about learning to tattoo as it only makes sense. Now, I’m thinking about learning how to do tattoo laser removal.

Over the years I have seen a lot of tattoos.  I’ve had people show me their tattoos at festivals that I’ve participated in.  Many of them done beautifully and transliterated perfectly or at the least “acceptable”. However, I’ve also seen many more transliterated incorrectly to the point that the recipient would have been better off getting it done in Roman alphabet.  I’ve been in very awkward situations where I had to tell someone their Baybayin tattoo was wrong…no bueno amigo.  Now, I can understand if it were 15 years ago, back then there weren’t many resources.  The chances of a transliteration to go bad was much higher. With today’s technology and online resources, there just isn’t any excuse that someone can still get it wrong and permanently mark their skin or allow someone to do so.

I cannot stress how important research is before anyone get a tattoo.  Getting a tattoo is a personal journey. There is the excitement, anxiety, pain and gratification.  You just can’t get anymore personal than that, and the artist is there with you on that journey.  But who would go on a journey without first thinking about the perils of such?  If someone were to have surgery, wouldn’t you at least get a second opinion or maybe even a third? Don’t cheat yourself or allow yourself be cheated.  Do your research first, ask questions and look for validation. There is a growing community of Baybayin practitioners and artists out there that you can source.

I dislike being a Baybayin cop.  I honestly do not find any pleasure in telling people of their infractions.  If you are a tattoo artist, I would hope that you did your research on Baybayin before you start inking up folks. No, “artistic license” will not get you off the hook.  You either know what the fuck you are doing or not, period. I’ve seen what’s been posted online and I can tell you, folks are getting ripped off and those who end up with these screwed up tats have cheated themselves.  Do not become a victim of ignorance.  If you are able to use a smart phone or computer, are on Facebook and Twitter, you are perfectly capable of educating yourself.  A screwed up tattoo is a sorry ass excuse for “I didn’t know.”  Remember my mantra, “Think before you ink, laser removal ain’t cheap.”

For those of you curious about what I wrote in the picture above, and you haven’t figured it out, it’s the incorrectly transliterated word MANDARAYA.  It means cheater.

I somewhat touched on the subject once before…right here: http://malayadesigns.net/2009/12/02/so-you-think-you-know-baybayin/, HOY! WAIT A MINUTE!, don’t be so hyper and just randomly start clicking just because you were presented with a hyperlink.  Read on please.

Malakas vs. Malakas.  Technically it’s the clash of two schools of thought, Traditional Baybayin vs. Modified Baybayin (spanish).  Most of you already know of Baybayin aka (alibata) and are more or less familiar with it’s history and it’s fundamental basics.  For those of you who don’t, then I suggest you google search Hector Santos and Paul Morrow for a concise introduction to Baybayin.  Why these gentlemen?  Because they top my list of Baybayin contributors.  Mr. Santos was the first to publish Baybayin on the web making him a pioneer and gave us a peak at Mangyan.  Paul Morrow, because he’s Paul, is a badass, and has delivered in so many ways.  The fundamental basics is what everyone should begin with, and the basics of Baybayin is non-modified writing.  That means, you learn to write and appreciate Baybayin in its purest form without introducing an outside influence to the writing system.  Easy enough right?  You would think so but things are not what it seems.  Apparently, there is a wide acceptance that the modified Baybayin version is the most proper and correct method of writing rather then the traditional.  In fact, the impression I am getting is that alot of people don’t even know there is a traditional way of writing Baybayin.  So i ask you, how can you truly learn to run if you have yet to walk grasshopper?  Stop your run, turn around, look what you’ve missed in your hurriedness.  Sure, adding that cute  little plus sign makes things so easy, it makes sense! Eureka! it really does, but that’s not the point.  The point is, turning your back or simply ignoring pure Baybayin does the writing system and those who wrote it before us a disservice.  Sure you can argue that by modifying it, the writing system becomes relevent to todays standards, you get a thumbs up and a gold star!  I’m good with that.  But I’ll be the first to blow holes in your so called research, if you tell me that traditional Baybayin writing is wrong or that I’m wrong for not using the modified script or using it enough.  I’ve defended my personal stance on Baybayin far longer than most as an artist and practitioner.  I make it a point to educate people in both the traditional and the modified, and you know what? Folks appreciate it and prefer a traditional transliteration when given the option.  Education is what sets Baybayin practitioners apart from mere writers of the script.  Educate yourself and pass that information along, it’s your chance to pay it forward.  As I have said in numerous conversations before, lack of resources can no longer be an excuse for ignorance.  If you can’t stand on your own merits, at the end of the day you have contributed absolutely NOTHING.