IN AN era dominated by hyper-connectivity, push notifications, and doomscrolling, time slows down in a quiet haven in Davao City where one can hear only a scratch of a nib against paper.
Tinta & Teksto, a local sanctuary dedicated to fountain pens, fine inks, hand-crafted stationery, and the deliberate art of analog journaling, officially turned one on Nov. 14, 2026.
“The vision behind Tinta & Teksto grew from a simple realization that Davao needed a dedicated space where creatives, fountain pen enthusiasts, and stationery lovers could converge,” Tinta & Teksto Founder Katya Zialcita said.
For the love of the fountain pen since 2019, and having worked in a fountain pen company for six years, she realized there was no such dedicated store in Davao City.
Tinta & Teksto started to cater to fountain pen enthusiasts in Davao City until it became a hub for the stationery crowd.
The store’s name itself was also chosen to evoke a warm, local identity rooted in writing culture.
“I wanted a local, local-sounding name, like when you hear it, you know it’s local; it’s right here in Davao. That’s why we chose Tinta & Teksto,” Zialcita shared.
Nurturing Local Talent and Micro-Entrepreneurs
Zialcita shared that beyond stocking fine writing instruments, the shop aims to bridge a crucial gap in the local art scene by offering a platform for aspiring and established local creators.
For many independent Davao artists, turning creative passion into a sustainable income stream is a challenge.
For over a year, Zialcita said Tinta & Teksto has been not only a retail venue but also a mentorship space for local talent.
“By teaching artists how to properly package products, set up inventory tracking systems, and establish professional retail practices, the store helps young creatives focus on what they do best, which is creating,” she said.
Tinta & Teksto offers a space for creatives to display their items, from stickers to postcards and stamps.
Analog resurgence among the youth
While one might expect fountain pens to likely appeal to older generations of collectors, Tinta & Teksto has observed a passionate influx of young enthusiasts and beginners in their mid-20s, a surprising trend over its first year.
Zialcita said in a world where smartphones provide constant digital noise, writing by hand offers a deliberate, quiet space without auto-correct, forcing the writer to pause, choose their words carefully, and reflect.
“When you are alone, and there is no distraction, you are just writing in your journal, putting what happened throughout the day; it is a really nice, almost meditative experience,” she said.
For its first anniversary, the founder hosted a Fountain Pen 101 “5 Things Every Beginner Should Know,” which drew a crowd of more than 30 beginners and long-time enthusiasts.
Celebrating Davao Culture Through Ink
A cornerstone of Tinta & Teksto’s identity is to celebrate local culture through custom ink collaborations.
Zialcita said over the years, the store partnered with premier ink makers to create shades inspired directly by the region’s heritage.
This includes Mangosteen & Waling-Waling inks, which is a collaborative release with artists from Cebu celebrating Davao’s iconic flora and fruit’ and Chocolat Crema which in ode to Davao’s rich cacao heritage.
This year, the store is eyeing an exclusive Korean & local artisan mix for custom ink projects.
Looking to the Future
As Tinta & Teksto continues to grow, its vision remains centered on community engagement.
Zialcita said the store plans to expand brand offerings, host regular journaling meetups and watercolor workshops, and highlight more local artists.
“The store continues to prove that in a digital world, the tactile pleasure of ink on paper is more vital than ever,” she stressed.
Visit Tinta & Text at 3rd Street Ecoland Subdivision, Davao City, to explore their curated collection of fountain pens, inks, paper goods, and locally crafted stationery.
