Are you getting tired of the same old fonts in your editing rotation? Lucky you because we have this roster of Filipino-made fonts that will surely step up your Pinoy aesthetics. Definitely Pinoy-coded!
These fonts sprouted from the different facets of Pinoy culture and elements of our everyday lives. From mirroring Filipino street signs to featuring our city and provinces and stuff that screams Pinoy-coded, these fonts do not fail to tug our feels like home strings.
Cubao (Aaron Amar)
You could never go wrong with the font that the daily commuters of Manila are accustomed with. We are so used to seeing the iconic neon-colored signs around the streets of Manila. This font is usually seen on the windshields of jeepneys, SUVs, and buses around the Metro. This bold typeface can be used when you want a significant impact at first sight. This is also perfect for one-liners or short phrases.
Quiapo (Aaron Amar)
It is another work of Aaron Amar, a Quezon City-based artist. This brush-style typeface gives Filipino hand-drawn vibes. This font seems to also stem from the Filipino signages we’re used to seeing around the Metro. This font style can be used with quoted phrases you want to hang or decorate.
Bawal Sans (Together We Design)
_.jpg)
Bawal Sans is the epitome of the bawal signages and reminders we hang in front of our doors and gates. According to its description, it is the DNA of the bold Pinoy DIY signs with loud and clear messages. With the nature of its reference, we can use this in signages and posters that we want other people to see.
LL Baguio (Lloyd Zapanta)
_.jpg)
Its creator aims to keep the typography found on Philippine broomsticks or ‘walis tambo’, it is the weaved letters that Baguio locals make. Most brooms are now made of plastic instead of the traditional weaved broom made from tiger grass. This display typeface looks like a pixelated font that is perfect with simple text.
Abangan (Works of the Heart)
.jpg)
According to its creators, “Abangan is our custom typeface inspired by our experience of life in Metro Manila—unbearably congested, always in motion, rarely quiet… our typeface regards rules as mere suggestions; each character can be freely scaled or squished to adjust to the available space, making room for more letters and always encouraging flair.” We have to note that Abangan only comes in uppercase letters. Because it is only in uppercase letters, it is great for headers and other quirky plaques you want to design.
Bantayog (John David Maza)
.jpg)
This typeface is inspired by the characters recoated over the worn-out, cast iron texts in Philippine historical markers like monuments in Manila. It has a soft texture that makes it so solid and minimalist. It is easy to read, so it is great for long texts like in magazines, posters, and other editorial projects.
Batok Karayom (Corinth)
.jpg)
We know the famed Apo Whang-Od, the oldest ‘mababatok’; the font is inspired by the very ethnic Philippine art of hand-tapped tattoos. It is sharp and needle-like letters that are great for headers and even as a product design.
Dangwa (Aaron Amar)
_.jpg)
It is the third work of Aaron Amar in this roster of Filipino-made fonts. You guessed right; this font is inspired explicitly by its namesake, the Dangwa Flower Market in Manila. Like the flowers for sale in Dangwa, the fonts are characterized by soft and curvy features. You are on the right track if you want to achieve a soft and flowery aesthetic!
Maragsa (John David Maza)
_.jpg)
The creator recognizes the importance of knowing how to pronounce a Filipino word even though accent symbols have long disappeared from colloquial Filipino writing. This display, semi-serif typeface, has sharp edges and the ‘pakupya’ mark as a pronunciation guide. This aesthetic can be incorporated into videos that need subtitles or pictures that need titles.
Kundiman (Serious Studio)
_.jpg)
Last on our list is this seemingly romantic typeface, as it originated from the traditional Filipino way of serenading. The font excludes a magical and romantic vibe that is great for school event pubmats or personal invitations and posters.
If you want to achieve the Pinoy-coded aesthetic, you should try our list! Filipinos have been used to foreign fonts for the longest time, and it's high time to support local and uplift our identity.
What’s your favorite Pinoy-coded font from our list? Share it in the comment section!
