There is a strong resurgence of people getting tattoos from a Philippine design in the Filipino American community. It has been taking part of our lives as a new moral, a new code, a new love, a new respect and a new vision.

The tattoo process is not like getting a happy meal at the drive in. It requires patience, and understanding of what you're about to do to your body and spirit, not to mention good artistic ability. People seeking to identify with Philippine tattoo art have done their homework.

For many, people in the Philippines still view tattoos as a symbol reserved for those in jail, a dirty expression, and a dying art form with the tribal peoples of the mountain provinces.

Once revered as a symbol for headhunters and their relations, the tribal peoples have since abandoned this expression (as well as headhunting) and lean towards more western ways. The symbols of their tattoos are minimal in documentation and may be seen in Aleks Figueroa's forthcoing book on tattoos from the Philippines.*

Today, those who have been tattooed are predominately of Filipino American descent although the "revival" is picking up in the Philippines as well between acceptance and popularity. They have had keen interests in various styles- American, Japanese, or Polynesian tattooing or any of tattoos influence.

"Filipino Tattoos" or "Tribal Filipino Tattoos" were paved by Filipino Americans emphasizing identity to one's roots. The Alibata/Baybayin tattoo was one of the first identifications and was documented by individuals in the mid 1990s.

The first documented person to wear an Alibata tattoo was Rahul Lagura. Specifically, the unifying "Ka" syllable/symbol which was tattooed on his sternum about 4-5" wide in the early 1990s. Larger back tattoo patterns from collages of Filipino life, ornate insturments to large family names in Alibata/Baybayin have been some themes people have chosen for their tattooo expressions.

Tribal homages have been made with unique pattern combinations from various Filipino tribes. One of the first full sleeves on a Filipina- American is worn by Sabrina Margarita Alcantara-Tan who lives in New York. She was fully sleeved around the mid-1990s. Emcee Kiwi of Native Guns was originally tattooed by Aleks Figueroa (then accentuated/improved by Pedro Babugo) who in turn, Kiwi with his many public performances and community advocacy has influenced the diaspora the world over.** Ed Habacon (Tribal Pinoy) was one of the first to have his forearms heavily tattooed with traditional Kalinga headhunter patterns which were tattooed in the late 1990s by the great Leo Zulueta.

More recently, in the early 21st century, adding to the urban indigeneo landscape are a new generation of Filipino descendants that have full sleeves and chest tattoos reminiscent of the traditional tattoos that the headhunters of the highlands wear. They are contemporary in design with a heavy Polynesian influence that follows the style that Tricia Allen co-pioneered. They share a vision to spread the wealth and beauty of our culture through tattoos and by those that wish to be in touch with them.

With artistic ingenuity, experience and reference, Filipino tribal tattoos or Filipino neo-tribal (new tribal) tattoos can be designed and tattooed to tell a story of what a person desires in a tattoo adding to the tribal tattoo experience.

If you choose to get a tattoo inspired by Filipino tattoo art, we hope you consider contacting us for your interests.

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