!!! PLEASE READ BEFORE ORDERING !!!
Baybayin's literal translation is "spelling". It needs to be understood, however, that what you see in baybayin symbols is an interpretation of sounds, NOT LETTERS. (This is why it looks like the "wrong" letters are being used in some names. The translation is what the name sounds most like, not the way the name is spelled.) The meaning comes from the word it represents. For example, "house" is translated to "bahay" in Tagalog. Because of the consonant-vowel pattern in baybayin, "bahay" becomes "baha". (It's still unknown how our ancestors were able to know what the words were with sounds missing and some of the script used for more than one sound!)
Please note: Spanish monks added the kudlit* (+) to denote a consonant without a vowel but I don't use it. My designs feature pre-Hispanic baybayin for Tagalog, the national Philippine language, ONLY.
Unless specifically written, pictures shown are a representation of my work. Everything is made by hand so each piece will vary slightly.
All beads are made of native Philippine wood. The actual type and shape of the bead may vary due to availability and size of the word(s) chosen. The majority of my beaded work, however, is done with bayong, a beautiful wood that is a rich, deep honey color. I also use kamagong, rosewood, nangka and roble, all raw beads and pendants purchased directly from Cebu (where I was born!).
Also, the metals are stamped by hand, not machine, so the position of the characters may be imprecise but it does lend to your piece being one of a kind.
When working with glass, the final product is beholden to the type of glass being used and its relationship to the kiln firing. I know what it's going to be only when I lift the lid.
I am not responsible for any tattoos based on my designs. DO YOUR RESEARCH BEFORE YOU TATTOO! Even when the tattoo artist is familiar with baybayin, many will also use alibata. Know what you're getting!
If you are considering personalization: I can't stress enough that baybayin is an interpretation of sounds. Of course, it will be my goal to come as close to the original name you provide but many names don't easily translate (if at all!) to the definitive sounds and consonant-vowel patterns of baybayin. Therefore, it is important that you order knowing the names I give back to you are my interpretation. For example, I would translate "Mark" and "Marianne" to "Ma" and "Ma Ri A Ne" or "Chance" to "TiYa(cha)Se". If there was no vowel at the end, I'd make it "TiYa".
*A kudlit is used above or below the original baybayin script to denote what vowel it represents and is shown with a squiggly line - " ~ " on my wood pieces or a dot - "." on my metal pieces. For example, a kudlit above the symbol for Ba changes it to Be or Bi. A kudlit below changes Ba to Bo or Bu. (Yes, it can be either! Which one depends on the word. See the "Photo Gallery" page for the complete alphabet and sound changes.)
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