Introduction Tattoos are designs and patterns done by tattooing, a body marking technique.

It is done by pricking holes into the skin of the body with a sharpened stick, bone, or needle that has been dipped in pigments with natural colors (Govenar, 2000). It has been practiced by almost every tradition. People have tattoos for many different reasons. Tattoos may indicate membership of a particular group or religion, their rights, or they may be regarded purely as works and interest of art (Jacobs, 2000). Tattooing is a wide-spread trend and tradition all over the world. Different countries and groups of people have their own tattoo markings as of what they believe in while some were just for fashion or body decoration. Even in the Philippines, tattooing makes a great impact in its people. From its ancient civilization up to the present, tattooing lived through ages and generations. However, as tattoo became symbols of beliefs and tradition of the ancestors and of different groups of the country, especially different tribes, it seems to fade and change with time. As one can observe the present civilization in the country, having a tattoo does not necessarily mean to have a tribal value or significance unlike of what had been before. The art of tattooing in the Philippines changed in the perception of different people as it took long years of Philippines struggle to fight for freedom from diverse colonisations that tried to seize the country. It was then greatly affected and influenced most by Western countries and their fashion and passion for tattooing. History of Tattoo and Tattooing in the Philippines Tattooing made a great part in the Filipino culture especially the diverse ancestral tribal groups even before different colonisations took place in the country. As the Spaniards had arrived in the country, specifically in Visayas, they termed the island La Isla De Los Pintados or The Islands of the Painted Ones upon seeing the people living in it with full body paint or Page 1 of 12

tattoos. Conversely, European Spanish were the first ones to be able to document the Filipino ways of tattooing in the 16th century. Moreover, tattooing was prominently established with different cultures most especially those on the Northern part of the country. Also, tattoo accompanies beauty, prestige and beliefs in a tribe, but still, different groups of people have different ways of introducing tattoo on the body. Like the women of tribal groups in Luzon, they obtain full arm and chest tattoos while those of the Visayas and Mindanao have theirs only in their hands and wrists (Admin, 2010). Aside from this, there were also folktales that talk about how tattooing arrived in the country. As mentioned by Tom (2011) in his article Philipppines Tribal Tattoos, tattoo revival that was on going in the Philippines had already lead to a renewed importance in its purposes in the most primitive tradition and mythology behind the various ways of Filipino tattooing arts. Also he mentioned that one of the Filipino tattoo myths bore a lot of resemblance with those of the tribes in Borneo. One of which says that a bird fell into a bowl of ink, and, in fright started to fly around dreadfully, and flew into a warrior, and as it furiously pecked at the warrior, the ink penetrated his skin, and the first tattoo was born. There were still lots of tales that exist in different parts of the country, yet, there is still not an answer on the most primitive and very origin of tattooing in the country not earlier than what Europeans had documented. Process of Tattooing in the Human Body Traditional tattoo methods of the Philippines are said to differ between and among different groups of the various regions of the country as the Philippines being consist of over 7000 islands. However, almost all the methods involve the subjection of skin and being smeared with a mixture of soot and sugar cane juice, and if these aren't available, substances such as lard or hen's dung can be used. The skin is rapidly punctured by various tattooing instrument, Page 2 of 12

which consists of either sharp metal points as used by the Pintados, or sharpened wooden teeth, as used by the Kankanay tribe. The Isneg tribe from the Apayao Province use a curved piece of rattan with four or five pins attached to the end. The curve near the pins is then beaten rapidly by the tattooists while the pins are on the skin, forcing them deep into the subject's skin (Tom, 2011). In addition to it, as Jagor (2007) agreed that methods of tattooing differ from each culture, there were absolutely some processes of tattooing that were painful. Some pricked needles and put pigments to the skin, leaving scars from the past smooth designs. Also, it takes a long process to cease a tattoo in a way that a tattoo artist first washes the area of application with sap or a mixture of soot and cane juice. If cane juice was not available, lard or chicken excrement was substituted just as like what Tom had indicated. After that, needles were introduced to the skin. When wounds distend and swell, a looked-for pattern will be put on the scar (A tribute to the Philippine culture, 1999). In addition to it, some cultures have their tattoos done with the use of knives and daggers as tools applying in the human body with colors and pigments (Zaide, 2009). Different Tribal Groups and Symbolisms of Tattoo and Tattooing Philippines is an archipelago with different and diverse islands within its territory. Philippines as it is, is consists of three main island groups - Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao which are steeped in tattooing traditions, many of which have been supressed throughout the past by invading countries and empires. Among these islands were different groups of people sharing and living their own way of life, tradition, beliefs and set of laws. With these different cultures, tattoo was one of the prominent signs or symbols of a faction or group of people. Most especially those people who lives primitively, on a way that their ancestors taught them and also what they are used to, were the ones that significantly shows their way of living through tattoos.

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Commonly, tattoos represent rank and position in a group, religious belief and bravery. However, the different tribal groups all over the country with their very own culture also have their own representations and symbolisms of tattoos. And they also have their own methods of handling and treating tattoos on their bodies. As Tom also indicated and compared Philippine tattooing with other tribal tattooing histories, Philippine tattoos were usually focussed on men. This usually incorporates tribal seniority, undertakings, age, and authority, as well as acting as talismans in certain instances. For instance, even if lizard in Philippine tribal tradition denotes death, as it was believed to be the messenger of death, this kind of tattoo was actually worn for protection. This is believed to save them from other spirits that upon seeing the lizard tattoo would trick them to their own death. However, not only men could have tattoos Women would wear tattoos to enhance beauty or for aesthetic purposes. Unlike men, women of tribes would limit their tattoos in hands and feet, yet, there were also exceptions to it as tattooing varies from different cultural and tribal tradition. There were also indications of tattoos with Alibata and Baybayin in most tribal groups. Lastly, the notion of Filipino groups in connecting with their ancestors runs through different Filipino tattooing traditions all over the country, meaning that awareness of family, past, and oral teachings were very important and significant. Prominent tattooed tribal groups in the Philippines were at most of those in the northern region of the country. It includes Kalinga, Igorot, Bontoc and Ifugao in which tattoo signifies a persons rank and position in their tribe. Just like the Chaklag, a tattoo, it is given to a tribal member that had defeated and took the head of an enemy (History of tattoo in the Philippines, 2009). This is supported by the article History of tattoo in the Philippines (2009) which includes that with the same tribal group of Bontoc, and Igorot plus the Samoki, their tattoos correspond to the number of heads they had already taken off. They have a common pattern of Chaklag that indicates their bravery in heading off of enemies.

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Kalingas have their specific way of having tattooed in line with defeating an enemy and defending their tribe. Their kind of tattoo that they have not just indicates being warrior or bravery but also rank on their tribe. As also included in the said article, along with the neighboring Kalinga to the north, successful warriors which they called maingor had tattoos at the back of their hands and wrists after their first victory and kill. These tattoos have stripes designs which they called gulot, cutter of the head. However, those men in the tribe who already had killed more than two enemies had intricate tattoo designs ranging from their arms up to their chests in which they termed it as biking. This biking is composed of different patterns like khaman meaning head axes, ufug with centipede scales, and gayaman, the bodies of the centipede. In addition to it, khaman on the other hand were designed and placed into the trunk, back and thighs of successful warriors with centipede scales laid out crossed into their cheeks. Moreover, Kalingas also tattooed themselves just above their navel and some on their faces which indicates the highest ranking warrior in the tribe. Conversely, this tribe of the north also believed that these tattoos were spiritually encrypted to bless and guide them. They also believed that with the spirituality within their tattoos, it can heal different sickness and illnesses and said to have therapeutic claims; this is why they were placed on goiters, tumors and varicose veins. Particularly, Kalingas also believed that aside from bravery significance of centipede scales on their bodies, it is said to wear off cholera which is a common illness in the tribe. Not just Kalingas on north have their tattoos. As Halili (2004) commend that Kalingas have their tattoos as symbol of courage and heroism. Isnegs like Kalingas have theirs also, symbolizing their status in their group. Moreover, Jagor (2007) included the report of Isabelo de los Reyes that the Tinguianes, who lives in the mountain forests of the Northern Cordilleras of Luzon, have tattoos with stars, snakes, birds and other animals and symbols to children 7 to 9 years old. Also, Jagor included the report of Hans Meyer in which he described the patterns of Page 5 of 12

tattoos of Igorots. As said in the article, Igorots have patterns of their own. There are large varieties of patterns and designs that represent their culture. These are the patterned lines that were observed in Igorots; straight and crooked lines criss-crossing one another on the arms, feather-like pattern on the breast or chest. However, there were also some Igorots who have tattoos in Bunk-designs in which parallel lines were extended across the chest, back and to the calves that gives off an appearance of sailor striped jackets. However, as stated by Meyer, theres no visible human figure or inscription on their bodies as tattoos. On the other hand, as tattooing in the Philippines was first discovered in Visayas by the Spaniards, William Henry Scott (1994) cited that Visayans were called Pintados for their painted bodies. They termed their tattoo as Batuk or sometimes Patik in various places which often meant markings or designs of snake or lizard. This kind of tattoo was given to male warriors who had already defeated their enemies in a battle. Their designs flourish further as they count their feats in war or encounter. However, those who receive tattoos who had not defeated an enemy was scorned as counterfeit and considered a coward which in hand was tattooed on their back a halo lizard, which is a large, black and yellow-colored reptile. Aside from this male valor tattoos, warfare also indicates initiation of Visayans into manhood. They termed one of these by tigma, which on hand was a sign for youths first war or sex. Another is tiklad, which was his first take-over in either battle or love. However, those who had their tattoos for the first time conquering these kinds of conquests were given tattoos in their legs starting from their ankles up to their waist. Thus, further chest and breast plate tattoos were significantly seen on persons who conquered more and more battles. In addition to it, those Visayans who were considered as the toughest and bravest warriors of their clan had reserved facial tattoos from the chin to their cheeks. In different regions in Visayas, there are distinctive patterns which can be drawn from their styles and designs. Labid was a pattern which is an inch-wide tattoo making its way up to Page 6 of 12

the legs and the waist. Another was Ablay, tattoo that ranges on the shoulder, Dub-dub on the chest up to the throat, and Daya-daya on the arms. The Spaniards also described the Visayan people to be naked yet dressed decently because of the tattoos all over their body. This was true to most Cebuanos and Visayans who considered tattoo as their principal clothing on the early years of Spanish colonisation. However, the same is true with those in Mindanao that have their tattoos based on achieving and winning battles of their brave and bold warriors. Nonetheless, compared to Visayan tattoos and those in Luzon with more intricate designs, Mindanao have their own intricacy and typically only tattooed their hands and wrists, yet usually not differing much with those of Visayans. As most tattoos appeared to be lines across arms and across the body, the designs which are commonly worn were indicators of blood lines and many other representations of each and every tribal group all over the Philippines.

Changes of Tattoo and Tattooing in the Philippines through Time As can be observed nowadays, people with tattoos are coined to be members of gangs, persons in jail, wrestlers and those who we usually watch as villains and antagonists. However, some, most especially the youth, thinks of having tattoos as contemporary works of art. This accounts a great change in the image of tattooing in Filipino people. One thing that is very noticeable is the way that tattooing is introduced in the skin or body today. If before, tattoos were established through painful and permanent inks with the use of soot and juices, nowadays, people tend to have tattoos in either permanent or temporary approaches. There are already machines and more advanced tools for tattooing that is used in penetrating the skin that avoids

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infections and further lesions and wounds.

Currently, the most fashionable way of having

tattoos especially in the youth is having henna tattoos, a temporary way of having tattoos. This is marking ink in the skin without penetrating into it and making wounds. However there are accounts that prove the changes in tattooing traditions and perception of Filipinos. A tribute to the Philippine culture (1999) states that 19th century marks the decline of aboriginal tattoo designs as American patterns intercepts tattooing. Within different cultures, tattoos symbolized a great number of things: rites of passage, status, rank, religious and spiritual standing, marks of bravery, sexual lures, marks of fertility, pledges of love. However, today, most people acquaint tattooing with punishment, amulets, talismans, protection, and as the marks of outcasts, slaves and convicts And in addition to it, today, according to the article Filipino Tatoos (n.d.) the revival of Philippine tattoo is prominently being carried out by the Filipino American community that embodies new values in it. This is for the fact that once Philippine tattoos were accustomed by our ancestors as symbols of head hunters and warriors, today as it seemed people tends to think of tattoos with prisoners, grime and filth, and evil doers. This has since most Filipinos abandoned mostly of these beliefs and was influenced by Western perspectives. They have had keen interests in various styles which includes American, Japanese, or Polynesian tattooing or any of tattoos influence that captures the attention of the new generation of Filipinos. An account on this was mentioned by Lien (2007) in which these changes in the countrys art of tattooing happened during the different colonization in the territory from the Spanish era, American and Japanese regime. According in her article, the practice of tattooing in the Philippines was clearly seen even before and during Spanish colonization. However, as Spaniards seized the country for more than 300 years, there were perceptions in tattooing that changed. Similar to these changes was that of tattooing being shifted from minorities to social elite. But years after the action, as Americans begun to overlook in the country, things changed Page 8 of 12

further. Accounts on these were established in the article Tattoo Designs & Symbols (n.d.) in which Philippine tattooing was influenced by the American trend of tattooing. The Americans used to have their tattoos with respect to their own purpose, once, they also acquaint tattooing with negative connotation, thus this connotation spread in the Philippines during and at most after their regime. They used tattoos for aesthetics signifying each of their own history. However, the Japanese influenced tattooing in the country by its designs and patterns. As indicated also inthe said article, Japanese tattooing was more on writings and dragon symbols. And after their regime and the continuous communication of the Philippines to their country, tattooing in the Philippines adapted their patterns in which dragons and writings like Alibata and Japanese inscriptions can be clearly seen in todays art of tattooing. This merely signifies the influential change that our neighboring countries and countries across the waters had brought to us. Those influences of other countries which in hand is also responsible in different changes in our custom, most especially the Western countries and their way and fashion in tattooing paved the art of tattooing in todays time. Moreover, this influence were further established through the use of modern technology, the media, the internet, and the flourishing images of prominent personalities bearing tattoos with them as statement of their fashion. One more thing that is very noticeable in these changes is the tattoo patterns and designs that are very popular nowadays. Comparing the original way and designs of tattooing and tattoos from todays methods and patterns of tattooing and tattoos is way far different such that tattooing before mostly includes straight and crooked lines, and images representing animals. Unlike today, abstract designs including vectors, names, and human images and figures are present in different tattoo designs. And as of today, tattooing could be achieved by any person by any means and reason unlike before that one must have taken off numbers of heads of enemies in battle to achieve tattoos. Page 9 of 12

Conclusion Tattoo and tattooing as it is, is something that belongs to the Philippine history, culture and treasure. The art that prevails within each and every tattoo reconnects the past to get a better understanding of the present and be able to envision the future. Tattooing as it is significantly an indigenous tradition of the Philippines that rooted all the way back from its ancestors long before all the colonisations in our country existed, requires a colossal way of understanding its very own differences within and among different tribal groups in the country. As the country is made up of three main groups of islands namely, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao with various groups and tribes of people that exhibit tattoo markings, it is indeed that tattoo is a cultural foundation for all Filipinos not only in the country but all over the world. Tattooing in the Philippines as first documented by the Europeans and first saw by the Spaniards as they first came in the nation, is predominantly seen on tribal groups in Visayas. They were actually termed as Pintados and the island as La Isla de Los Pintados or the Island of the Painted Ones. This only proves that tattooing even from that time was already established as part of their culture and tradition. Other prominent persons and groups known for their tattoos were the tribes in Luzon, most especially the northern part of the island. Those groups includes Kalinga, Igorot, Kankanay, Bontoc, Samori and many other tribal groups found mostly in the mountainous part of Cordillera and the north. There were also tattooed persons and tattooing tradition in Mindanao which attests that tattooing is indeed all over the country. Commonly, tattooing in these tribal groups was edged on men in their tribes. Mostly, tattoos signify the rank of a person as of how many heads he had already taken off and how many battles had he exulted. One tattoo design is established by the number of heads that he already cut off and further flourish as one continuously fight to defend his tribe. This was true for Page 10 of 12

almost all tribal groups form Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Also, religious beliefs, clothing and indication of manhood were bestowed unto tattoos. However, women on most tribes have tattoos for aesthetic values only. However, as years passed, tattoo undergone different changes in its implications and in its forms along with the culture, the society and the nation. The aborigine way of tattooing and the aborigine design and significance of tattooing flourished only on out-numbered tribes but not with the society of the modern century. As the country suffered different colonization, seizures, invasions that tried to take its freedom, the traditions and culture of tattooing of the countrys ancestors gradually banished with it. Though tattoo still lives the present times, the original significance of tattoo fades with time. This is true for the years that had gone by; different countries already implanted influences in our culture and society. And as modernization approaches each and every culture, tattoo was influenced greatly in its totality. Most especially, it is influenced enormously by American and Western tattooing. There are significant differences on tattooing and tattoo designs and patterns of the modern and present time and the aboriginal method of tattooing. Nowadays, there are also perceptions on tattooing that changed. Some coined tattooed persons into evildoers, gang members, drug addicts, and criminals. However, not most were the same as this perception. Another change is the advancement of tattoo procedures that one can choose whether or not a tattoo would be permanent or temporary. Even if tattoo changed through the years, tattoo and tattooing still lives in the society. Perhaps not the same visionary as what the countrys ancestors once had but as what and how a person thinks of his own purpose of having a tattoo. Its significance as a form of art never changed rather just the way it is introduced into purpose.

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Nonetheless, tattooing is an important part of the Philippines history in its culture. The tattoos before came to be clear in purpose and in culture, but one can say that for every history, one instance comes after the other that is why tattoos today come into new culture, new set of society and a new part of the history.

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