Juan Carlos Franco x KC Current







Thank you KC Current, for the opportunity to highlight my home of homes: The Philippines. What follows is an explanation of the symbols and concepts that I utilized, to craft a portrait of kc current; of myself; and of my people and heritage. (click to zoom)



The Shirt—front & Back


Symbology





“ang pinuno gabay sa akon panglakaton” : Hilagaynon (Language of Negros)—written in visayan suyat—meaning “Ancestors Guide My Feet” 



“Maayos ay matulin” Deep Tagalog for “smooth = speed”. Originates from a phrase used commonly in filipino martial arts: “Slow is smooth, smooth is fast”. 



These are Visayan Tattoo patterns. See if you can point them out: Teeth, Rivers, Mountains, Centipedes. They mean many things, but composed like so, is a spell of: Protection and Flow. 



The Philippine eight-ray-sun originates from flags of the philippine revolution; Sugarcane and bolo are symbols of my island, Negros. 


Visyana Suyat for “Tara Na!” — which mean’s “let’s go!”. You could say: “TARA NA KC CURRENT!” 


These figures are my parents. When we first immigrated to America—they joined and helped run a local folk dance group. Ever since, they’ve continued to dedicate their lives to sharing stories of our people. 

Amihan Dance Society of TX having a photoshoot at their local Jolibee


Thank you mom and dad for inspiring me to hold my heritage so close to heart. I love you! Happy Mother’s Day :)



Inspirations

Negros Occidental is my mother’s home-land.

The Tinikling stems from a pre-colonial dance that mimics the way a tikling moves between stalks of grass. 




Filipino Tattoos often describe merits or empower its wearers with concepts from nature. There’s a particular tale that describes golden centipedes as familiars—protectors of our people. 



The Sampaguita is known to the west as ‘Arabian Jasmine’. My grandmother grows these flowers in her garden. 


Suyat is a term that refers to our precolonial writing systems—of which there are many in regards to: styles, origins, and even languages. 



Partial Proceeds from sales of this shirt will go to Kansas City’s local Philippine folk dance group: The Sinag Tala. Check them out on Instagram >>>






Human Minds • Human Hands • Human Work •  Human Minds • Human Hands • Human Work •  Human Minds • Human Hands • Human Work •  











































hey!
Get outta here!
Scram!