TRANSLATORS

Eaglescorner.com and PinoyTattoos.com are good translator sites. Accuracy by way of phonetics is the "proper" way (pre-Spanish) to translate Filipino words into Alibata/Baybayin. Of course, there is the literal way (to include cross kudlits) and as much as it's wrong, it's right too- in the colonial sense.

We ask for people to consider getting a "font" put on them as a tattoo. Of the two, I would choose PinoyTattoos.com to translate. The moderator of the site is on deck at all times and has his hands full translating for folks with his own style of script. Use Eaglescorner.com to try your words and familiarize yourself with how to translate what you want done.

Incorrectly written, and sometimes elementary looking fonts make it difficult for me to accept online translators or type fonts on computers. To a trained and seasoned eye, it's like seeing a third graders handwriting the equivalent of a childs font.

As art is subjective, I respect the forementioned websites who have written Alibata/Baybayin for people to reference. However, I regret to see countless individuals with words wrongly written or transtlated incorrectly. I wouldn't use a translator to determine my tattoo for a few reasons; potential Inaccuracy, and the common use of type "fonts"., "flash", or pre-made Alibata/Baybayin words.

To a quasi-purist, Alibata/Baybayin should be viewed as organic. Therefore, translators are good for reference.

Alibata/baybayin is meant to be written. Write it yourself or better yet, read between the lines, do your research, ask questions, drop a line, ask somebody. As the great teacher Mr. Penaranda (a la Fremont High School, Fremont, Ca) once said, " There's no excuse to not learn your Filipino history."

Woodcarver, Ray Haguisan, of Malaya Designs for years has carved his way around various festivals burning wood for necklaces and pendants. He is a good person to reference as well because he is one of the few practioners of Alibata/Baybayin. Paul Marrow of Sarisari etc...is the man too. If you don't know, ask somebody! :)

 - Since Nov. 8, 1999.

-Hector Santos' site.

-Paul Marrow's site.

-Christian Cabuay's site.

ABOUT FILIPINO TATTOOS.com
Although we do not offer online translations, we would be happy to assist you as much as possilbe via translating your interests into Alibata/ Baybayin. Translators are good for reference- you can go to your local tattoo artist after your research. The above websites are extremely helpful and resourceful. Artistically, if you like how I write, drop a line/stop by the studio- let's get to pokin'! Samples of what I've done are throughout this site and the net.


I believe there has been a lot of false claims with "traditional" tribal Filipino tattooing of recent and it's gotten hype for something that it is not.

Getting your family lineage from a tattoo designer/ artist is not possible. Geneology research is a whole different matter. One will need to do this for oneself. As for representing your family lineage via stick drawings and line art, that's a different story.

Most "tribal" tattoos are new school (neo-tribal), contemporary, modern or a derivative of something else- i.e. Polynesian tattooing. We are influenced by a million things- modern technology, creative souls, television, you name it. The romance is in our identity and how we want to express it.

Traditional Filipino tribal tattoos do not exist anymore. Unless you are willing to get poked by a sharp bird bone with soot in the jungle, we suggest for you to not drink the water. Or we'll gladly do it for beer. Just kidding! It's all in verbiage. Tribal Filipino tattoos or NeoTribal (new tribal) Filipino tattoos are a freedom of expression. We can assist you in your journey, your interest.

THE CONCEPT of Filipino Tattoos and/or Filipino Tribal Tattoos
For some people, it is important who tattoos them. All prejudice aside, if I will get tattooed with Filipino designs on my body, I want a person of Filipino descent to tattoo me. I started to tattoo because, politically, I wanted to be that conduit.

FilipinoTattoos.com is guided by family, friends, activists, artists, community, dance, music, politics - in short - Fil-Am culture, which all interweaves itself like a tight banig. We've been working within the community world wide for over 15 years.

Rules you should abide remember (for newbies and the veterans):

1. This is a Filipina/Filipino thing. This is a cultural/pride/identity thing. This is a love thing. This a respect oneself - don't believe the hype-I gotta get-a-tattoo now because I'm a poser-everyone's got one-look at my arm thing. This is by Filipinos for Filipinos(but open to everyone thing). This is a pioneer thing. This is a genuine thing. This is a well researched/ passionate/ non-biter thing. It's a deep/ profound thing. This is a personal choice and for some a sacred thing.

2. Cheap does not connote good. You get what you pay for. Quit thinking 1000 pesos for a tattoo is a good deal. IF the tattoo is good, it's good, doesn't matter what the price is. Price should not be the first consideration. Cheap tattoos ain't good. Good tattoos ain't cheap.

3. We don't do tattoo shows. I know, I'm a party pooper. Maybe one day. I like the beer and the cool art stuff.

4. We love the tattoo art for you. We started for you, we continue to do it for you.

5. Traveling is fun. If we're not near you today, we'll fly to you or you can fly to us. If you don't have the money, make the money. Can you imagine traveling to get a tattoo across the country or across the seas? If you can not, the question is- why not? People have done it, they do it, and will continue to do it for good tattoo art. Before our time and the advent of the internet, people would travel to their chief tattoo artist when it was time for them to get tattooed. If a tattoo artist wasn't immediately available they would trek to the next community or the next island that did. It also makes for a hell of a tattoo story. :D Tattoos are earned. I don't claim to be a chief (except a Chief Rocka!) nor play like I do. Come to our studio! It's like home.

Seeking a practioner in the ancient scripts of the Philippines is hard to do, especially since it's been a dead system for hundreds of years with the exceptions of three tribes (for more history please reference above sites). Today, there are literally only a handful of practioners.

Aleks Figueroa uses the scripts everyday. He draws, writes and paints  the ancient scripts of the Philippines in various mediums such as:  skin, paper, canvas, digital, foam, wood and metal.   Since 1993, with hundreds of  Alibata/Baybayin tattoos and translations for various projects,  Aleks Figueroa has been given  the titles "The Alibata King", "the Baybayin Prince", and "Datu of Alphabits", and his dad's favorite, "Dipshit."

For many years he studied and practiced Shodo: The Way of the Brush including calligraphy and painting to harness his skills and create a more fluid style with no style. No two characters are the same unless it's intentional. Outside of calligraphy styles with broad flat tips, he pioneered experiments that have turned into masterpieces with designs that are reminiscent of graffiti, and paint brush strokes both large in size and delicate as a pencil detail. Individuals who sought original work have been satisfied with authentic and unique tattoo designs for themselves.*

*Please be mindful and don't copy curve for curve of his work or anyone elses. If you don't get it done by an artist- write it yourself, do it yourself. Don't take any image or font from the net and tattoo it on you. Everyone's signature is unique to themselves- appreciate and love the difference. Right now, people are tattooing first grader Alibata images on themselves. Think about it. Any revival is within ourselves.

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