WORDS can
be beautiful on their own. Certain words like ‘eventually,’ evoking waiting and
longing; ‘surreal’ stirring up moments of strong emotion and unexplainable
highs. But written in ornate script, masterfully executed by hand, these words
take on an even more alluring mold.
‘Surreal’
is exactly how Denise Marie Silva describes how she feels when people
appreciate her work. “Someone came up to me and said it’s inspiring that you’re
living by your passion, it was heartwarming to hear,” shares Denise.
Denise
The
twenty year-old Denise had her first brush with calligraphy at the age of 11,
during her Drafting and Lettering classes in Elementary School. Years from
then, she continued her interest in Calligraphy and Lettering, eventually
finding her calling and pursuing it as her passion.
A
B.A. History undergrad at the University of the Philippines - Miag-ao, she had
to halt her schooling unexpectedly to help provide for her family. Feeling
unfulfilled and abhorring the repetitive hours, she paved a new path for
herself. “I used to work at a call center, but one day I decided I don’t have
to do this,” shares Denise.
Putting
her work out into the world and starting her own business, a Caligraphy
hub Tigbato (named after the Hiligaynon word for ‘letters’),
Denise’s elaborate handiwork now adorn the walls and counters of several shops
and restaurants all over the city. Most notable are the chalk-rendered menu for
Bistro Carcosa’s bar, the framed phrases of encouragement at Fuel.ph, and the
new Hugot wall at Funatix.
“It’s
not as simple as letters, you have to think: how do I make these words and
letters beautiful and stand out?” reflects Denise about her craft. She shares
that she aims to be a part of a community of letterers and crafters here in the
city that will foster creative growth.
Denise
expresses a deep love for what she does. Reflecting on the value of not only
her work, but also of other artisans who do things by hand, she shares “When
you support them, you’re not just buying their products, you’re buying their
time, their energy, their resources and ideas, at the same time you’re helping
them pursue their passion.”
She
still regularly works at cafes as a crew member to make ends meet, but balances
it with her passion projects and her business Tigbato,
affectionately calling it her “Batman job.”
For
the upcoming Valentine’s Day Denise is helping couples celebrate the special
occasion. With Tigbato accepting commissions to translate love
letters and thoughtful phrases into calligraphy for gifts. With a workshop
class in cooperation with Miag-ao’s Café Diem in the works and more projects on
the way, Tigbato and Denise are making waves.
“If
it gives you drive every day, pursue it,” is her advice to other young
creatives. Adding for budding calligraphers and letterers, “There are many ways
to show calligraphy, don’t limit yourself to pen and paper.”
Denise
shares that wondering the city, she sees vacant walls and abandoned lots not as
eyesores, but as a challenge. “I like to daydream and think what could I do to
make this wall better?” I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of her work soon.
on Instagram to see their items and crafts.
Photos from the Official Tigbato page
