From Baybayin to Abakada is a multilayered zine written, researched and designed by Filipino-born creative Reese Claro and published by Illographo Press. In this zine, Reese weaves childhood memories from growing up in the Phillipines, personal anecdotes as a first generation migrant in Australia, and historical documents to illustrate the impact of colonisation on the culture, vernacular, and way of life of the Filipino people and diaspora.

From Baybayin to Abakada is a tri-lingual publication divided into three sections: the Pre-colonial Philippines (Baybayin), the Spanish Rule (Abecedario/Español), and the Post-American Colonisation of the Philippines (Abakada/Tagalog); based on the ruling power and the main writing systems used in the Philippines during that period.

The publication design is inspired by the look and feel of old comics during the golden age of Filipino komiks in the 1950s-60s. The colour palette – magenta, deep blue and light yellow – is a modern take on the Philippine flag while the typography serves a narrative purpose beyond aesthetics. LL Karatula and Baybayin Sisil are modern typefaces created by Filipino designer Lloyd Zapanta who is part of a growing movement among the Filipino creative community to revive and preserve the pre-colonial and traditional art of writing in the Philippines.

From Baybayin to Abakada is a personal research zine written in the first-person voice. Reese used old photographs of her family, childhood home, and recent travels in the Philippines to create a sense of nostalgia and passage of time. The publication is hand-sewn as inspired by Filipino indigenous crafts. Stitching the sections together by hand mirrors how the Philippines’ colonial past is interwoven and deeply embedded within our language, culture and identity as Filipinos. Language is the thread that binds us to our motherland, it connects us with our people and our shared history.

From Baybayin to Abakada is a tangible example of how we can decolonise our mindsets by simply speaking, understanding, learning, and loving our mother tongue.

[Tagalog]
Ang Mula Baybayin Hanggang Abakada ay isang halimbawa kung paano natin mapapalaya ang ating isip at diwa mula sa gapos ng kolonisasyon sa pamamagitan ng pagsasalita, paguunawa, pag-aaral at pagmamahal sa ating sariling wika.

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Researched, written and designed by Reese Claro.
Published by Illographo Press.
Edited and prepared for print by Aphrodite Delaguiado.
ISBN: 978-0-6457234-8-9
Publication date:  15 March 2025
CMYK printed on HP Indigo
Main book: 176mm x 250mm (B5); Magenta tip-in: 105mm x 148mm; Dark blue tip-in: 99mm x 210mm
Bound by hand by Maricris Espinosa at the Wolfbound Books bindery.