By Agustin F. San Andres Jr.
Photos courtesy of Raven Angel Rivota

Far Eastern University (FEU) Communication alumna Raven Angel Rivota together with Edrian Garcia and John Leyson from Baybayin Buhayin created the Baybayin-themed signages in the newly rehabilitated Lagusnilad Underpass inaugurated Monday, August 24.

In an online interview with FEU Advocate, Rivota shared that her inspiration is the Manila itself.

“I have to incorporate different elements that will best represent the city,” she stated.

In her design, Rivota incorporated the well-known Manila City Hall Clock, Nilad flowers and the ancient Tagalog scripture Baybayin.

Rivota then shared that the most challenging part in crafting her design was the translation of Baybayin for it is the most important detail.

Amid the criticisms surfaced online with regards to the usage of Baybayin in signages, Rivota said that the design was not only for aesthetic purposes.

“Hindi siya for aesthetic purposes lang (It’s not for aesthetic purposes only), because that small initiative that we did, I believe it will lead to curiosity and hopefully or eventually, we get to teach it in schools also,” she explained. 

Further, the FEU alumna believed that the people deserve this kind of governance.

“It took us many failed administrations before we reach this kind of governance wherein we can see changes mula sa pamamalakad hanggang sa mga infrastructure, kita mo na may vision mapaganda ang Manila (From its governance to infrastructures, you can see that there is a vision [from the current administration] to make Manila beautiful.). This is what we actually deserve, I hope people would be more responsible to maintain the beauty of Manila,” she ended.

During the 18th Congress, it can be noted that House Bill No. 5984 filed by Manila Third District Rep. John Marvin "Yul Servo" Nieto remain pending. Once passed into law, Local Government Units (LGUs) will be mandated to include Baybayin script in public signages.