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BAGONG LIWANAG (A New Light)

BAYBAYIN TATTOO EXHIBIT AND DOCUMENTARY SCREENING

BY JEFF MARONILLA-SEVA QUINTANO

ABOUT THE EXHIBIT

Bagong Liwanag (A New Light) is a solo exhibit by Jeff M-Seva Quintano, exploring the revival of Baybayin, the ancient Philippine script, through tattoo art. This exhibit showcases the Baybayin tattoo movement, which is transforming the stigma around tattooing and reconnecting Filipinos with their cultural heritage.

After a successful debut in January 2024 at the Sentro Filipino Cultural Center and an acclaimed feature at the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, Bagong Liwanag is now on tour. Its third stop will be at the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) Museum in Stockton, California, on November 17, 2024. This exhibit is making history, as it is the first to bring tattoo art to these prestigious cultural venues.

As part of its debut in San Francisco, Jeff also produced and organized the first Baybayin symposium in the United States and premiered his Baybayin documentary, sparking powerful discussions on cultural identity. Bagong Liwanag continues to inspire pride and a deeper connection to Filipino heritage among the Filipino-American community and beyond.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Jeff Maronilla-Seva Quintano, a native of Bicol Albay and graduate of the University of Santo Tomas, where he was awarded "Thesis of the Year," is a passionate advocate for Baybayin and Filipino cultural identity. Since moving to the U.S. in 2018, Jeff has emerged as a pioneering voice in Filipino tattoo art, reviving the Baybayin script and inspiring artists to draw from Filipino stories and heritage.

In 2021, Jeff self-published Baybayin: Panimula sa Pagbasa at Pagsulat ng Baybayin, now in its fourth printing. His work has received widespread media attention from TFC, TV Patrol, Manila Bulletin, Inquirer Philippines, Tattoo Life Magazine, and Inked Magazine. Through his art, Jeff fosters a profound connection to Filipino identity in the tattoo community and beyond.