Art on Utility Boxes, A Collaboration of Galing Bata and SOMCAN

SOMCAN x GB - Art on Utility Boxes
By Ate Shari and Kuya Mark

ABAKADA…
Alalahanin ang ating pinanggalingan, kultura, kasaysayan, at wika ng Pilipinas sa pamamagitan ng proyektong ito. Remember our roots, culture, history, and language of the Philippines through this Art on Utility Boxes project.
Balik-balikan ang mga makukulay na “Utility Boxes” na ito upang matuto ng alpabeto at mga salitang Tagalog; iba’t-ibang uri ng Hinabi na mula sa mga katutubo; at Baybayin, ang sinaunang pamamaraan ng pagsulat ng Pilipinas.
Revisit these colorful Utility Boxes to learn the Philippine alphabet and Tagalog words; the various kinds of Hinabi weaving textile designs from the Philippine indigenous tribes; and Baybayin, the pre-colonial writing system of the Philippines.
Kapiling ang isa’t-isa na pahalagahan at ipagdiwang ang SOMA Pilipinas, bilang distrito ng pamanang kultura ng mga Filipino dito sa San Francisco.
Let’s all appreciate and celebrate the existence of SOMA Pilipinas, the Filipino Cultural Heritage District here in San Francisco.
Dalhin ang mga kaalaman na nakuha at ibahagi sa iba.
Share all the knowledge learned with others.

At the beginning of the year, Ate Lian Ladia of SOMCAN approached FEC Galing Bata for a collaboration project called Art on Utility Boxes. FEC Galing Bata provides linguistically sensitive and culturally responsive programming to TK-8th grade students and families in Bessie Carmichael/FEC. One of the many services that we provide is a monthly family literacy workshop. Through this, our family literacy team composed of staff, parents, and families met with her to plan and brainstorm together. Originally, there was a plan to have an event to brainstorm ideas in person during the family literacy workshop in March. Unfortunately, shelter-in-place was enacted and virtual brainstorming sessions took place instead with FEC Galing Bata families, Ate Lian, and the artist Mel Vera Cruz.

At first, the plan for 10 utility boxes was to put a flashcard on one side of it only. However, FEC Galing Bata families suggested incorporating the full ABAKADA alphabet since it has 20 letters which led to using 2 letters per utility box. During the virtual sessions, there were discussions on the designs and how the words for each letter represent and relate to the Philippine culture and our SOMA Pilipinas community. Galing Bata families who participated in these sessions used their voices to share their opinions and really embraced the process. Kuya Mel listened openly to the ideas of the families and interpreted them artistically. Upon Kuya Mel’s presentation of the initial draft, everyone expressed their excitement as they saw how their ideas were shown in the artwork.

We hope that this collaborative project will provide a sneak peek into the Philippine language, culture, and history. Aside from it being a learning tool, we believe that these flashcards showcase the long-lasting history and continuous presence of the Filipinos in San Francisco. The sentiment behind this project was to expose everyone, enrich the youth, engage families, and empower the community. We are excited for everyone to enjoy this art in the streets of SOMA soon! Thank you to SOMCAN, Ate Lian Ladia, Kuya Mel Vera Cruz, and the FEC Galing Bata families. Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat!