Favourite childhood games linking Filipinos and other migrants as they rebuild their lives overseas

Filipino-Australian architect John Gatip highlights Capiz as a tool for reliving childhood games and a vital link to the homeland. 'Bale' is his second exhibit as part of the 2025 Melbourne Design Week.

'These memories, they are not solely mine. By telling these stories, these memories, is a way to connect the Filipino diaspora who have gone beyond their home.' John Gatip explains why he chose childhood games as a subject for the 2025 exhibit 'Bale'. Credit: Jack Carlin

Key Points

• 'Bale' is a Kapampangan word for house.
• Childhood games and memories were the inspiration for the installation, in particular life in Pampanga.
• Significant events in the Philippines such a frequent blackouts (brownouts) and typhoons were also part of his inspiration.

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Favourite childhood games linking Filipinos and other migrants as they rebuild their lives overseas

SBS Filipino

12:27Filipino

Bale is Kapampangan for house, but in this case, I refer to it as home. Because when I think of the Philippines, I think of it as home.

John Gatip, Filipino-Australian architect and designer of Bale, 2025 Melbourne Design Week

'I wanted to use a material that is precious because memories are precious, and I hold Capiz as this precious material that is uniquely Filipino, and pearls as the Philippines produces pearls.' John Gatip on using Capiz and freshwater pearls as materials fopr his sungka. Credit: Jack Carlin

'Candles have been a fascination since I was a kid. I played with candles a lot, and of course, there were blackouts (brownouts) in the Philippines that could last for minutes, hours, or even days, and candles were a source of light. Remembering loved ones during Todos Los Santos (All Souls Day) was one of the memories I used. Collecting wax from burnt candles.' John Gatip on memories that inspired him to create candles as part of his exhibit 'Bale'. Credit: Jack Carlin

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