INK Kumburuhhus

INK-credible Reflections: Tattooing Philippine Cultures
Nestled in the bosom of Mainland Asia and the Pacific Ocean are the 7,107 islands
known as the "La Isla de Los Pintados," coined by the Spanish conquistadors. The
Spaniards were welcomed and mesmerized by the entire bodies of the locals, laced with
intricate designs and motifs embedded into their skin.
The beauty and art of Pintados hold an essential place in the tapestry of Philippine
Culture and Art. As a manifestation of the rich heritage of the Philippines, the art of Pintados
tattooing serves as both a reflection and representation of deep-rooted values and beliefs
that define the Philippines. According to Damie and David 2014, these tattoos served as an
external representation of status, beauty, family, and pride to the locals. It served as a public
testament attached to someone's flesh, describing acts of valor, bravery, and fortitude,
representing their unique journey and triumphs. Thus, the more tattooed the warrior, the
more revered.
The word pintados, which translates to "painted," was first used by Spanish colonists
to refer to indigenous people with tattoos who lived on the islands of Cebu, Bohol, and Leyte
in the Biçayas (Visayas) region of the Philippines. The tattoos are applied by pricking the
skin with sharp bits of iron and then covering the open wounds with black powder
permanently embedded into the skin. People who resemble Pintados live at the easternmost
point of the islands, in the province of Camarines.
Tattoo artists, known as "mambabatok," were revered community members. They are
skilled craftsmen who possess in-depth knowledge of traditional tattooing techniques. Their
expertise in creating detailed and aesthetically pleasing designs elevated the practice to an
art form. The Last Kalinga Tattoo Artist in the Philippines Whang-od Oggay is known as the
last mambabatok in the Philippines; many people worldwide travel to the Philippines just to
get inked by a Filipino Artist.
To dwell more, the Pintados tattoo is more than an embedded ink design in the skin. It is
considered a highly sophisticated and semiotics-centered art form in the pre-colonial
Philippines.
First, it's symbolic complexity. Each design and motif unveil deep and layered
meanings. It often represents a person's tribal affiliation, achievements, social status, and
culturally inclined life events. Second, tattoos are not merely acquired by a simple process;
they have rituals and ceremonies before the artistic process. It was said that the painted
men would undergo an initiation ceremony before his first encounter with the decorative
scarring. Third, its significant role in shaping one's culture and identity. They served as an
image representation of an individual's relationship to their respective indigenous community
and culture.
In this 21st century, the Pintados evolved in the presence of technology, significantly
recalibrating the pre-colonial tattooing technique. The rise of modern tattoo tools that make
the process more convenient and less time-consuming was brought to light, as well as the
sanitation materials we've developed and advanced.
Furthermore, it was also declared as a Festival. In 1986, the residents of Tacloban initiated
the organization of religious and cultural events to pay homage to the Señor Santo Niño.
One year after its formation, the inaugural Pintados Festival occurred on June 29.
Eventually, this festival was combined with the Kasadyaan Festival.
Comparing the traditional and modern ways of tattooing, it is said that the Traditional
way leans more on cultural significance, spiritual and ceremonial wise, communal
connection, symbolism, and narrative. It focuses on the depth of the Philippine Arts. In
modern tattoos, individual expressions, diverse styles, global influence, and artistic freedom
are much more emphasized. Genz's are influenced by getting inked because of external
factors, such as a token friendship, romantic relationship, or personal interest. Nonetheless,
both forms of tattooing utilize symbolism, artistry, and the concept of identity, highlighting the
dynamic nature of tattoo culture and its capacity to adapt to changing cultural contexts.
Ultimately, incorporating the critical terms in the lessons, one of the assumptions of
art states that Art is Timeless. The Pintados Tattoo originated during pre-colonial times and
evolved; it continues to revolve, to be innovated and revived. Emphasizing Philippine culture
is not in a vacuum, and we must appreciate our culture's dynamic aspect. Thus, this form of
art is a manifestation that art is limitless. It transcends and goes beyond time.

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INK-credible Reflections: Tattooing Philippine Cultures

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