Nakaupo

2026
CNC-machined wood, woodworking

Created during the MakerLabs Tools for Change Residency (2026)

Nakaupo (Tagalog for “seated”) is a functional sculpture constructed from the Baybayin characters ᜈ (na), ᜃ (ka), ᜂ (u), and ᜉ (po). When assembled, the characters form the structure of a chair — transforming written language into physical architecture.

Produced during a residency at MakerLabs, the piece was created using CNC machining and traditional woodworking techniques. The work explores how language, form, and function intersect, treating Baybayin not only as a system of writing but as a structural framework capable of supporting the body.

By translating script into furniture, Nakaupo reimagines Baybayin as something inhabitable — a place where language becomes object, design, and lived experience. The piece reflects an ongoing exploration of how Filipino cultural forms can move between tradition, technology, and contemporary design.