HEROINE MARISH FERNANDEZ 2022-11638
Philippine Arts and Culture (C) 2-BACMA-A
INK-credible Reflections: Tattooing Philippine Cultures
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Philippine arts and culture are deeply rooted in diverse influences that collectively shape the people and
the nation's identity. From the multitude of indigenous traditions to the lasting impacts of Spanish and American
colonization, the Philippines boasts a wide-ranging array of artistic expressions that form an integral part of its
identity. Culture is the characteristics and knowledge of a particular group of people, encompassing language,
religion, cuisine, social habits, music, and arts (Zimmermann, 2017). On the other hand, art is the expression or
application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture,
producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power (Tabuena et al., 2021). Travelling
back, even in pre-colonial times, the Philippines established a rich culture and arts, now the origin of most art
forms in the nation.
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 by the entire bodies of the
locals, laced with intricate designs and motifs embedded into their skin.
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. People who resemble Pintados live at the easternmost point of the
islands, in the province of Camarines.
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.
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.
Emphasizing its 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. Pintados
tattoos, prevalent among indigenous Filipino groups like the Visayans, carry profound symbolism. These intricate
tattoos signify cultural heritage, enriching ancestral traditions and the identity of these communities. They also
communicate social status, with more elaborate tattoos often denoting higher social standing or remarkable
achievements within their group.
Pintados tattoos also serve as an imagery record of personal accomplishments, acts of bravery, and even
spiritual protection against malevolent forces, fostering a sense of identity and pride in one's cultural roots.
Received during significant rites of passage, these tattoos mark transitions in life stages, symbolizing maturity
and responsibility.
Incorporating elements from nature, they emphasize a connection to the environment and the importance
of living harmoniously. The pre-process of getting tattooed is also symbolic in that the artist will have to conduct
a spiritual process and ceremonies before a man/woman gets inked. This is to pay homage to their culture and
their respective leaders.
Thus, the more tattooed the warrior, the more he is experienced.
The 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. Due to the evolving society, Apo Whang-od is one of the
manifestations that Philippine Culture doesn't die down; instead, it progresses and passes.
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—Further,
tattoos' significance and meaning change due to factors affecting the mindset of different Filipinos.
Comparing the traditional and modern ways of tattooing, it can be concluded 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. A mere observation of
the advanced tattoo culture here in the Philippines, we can't deny that we now prioritize aesthetically pleasing
tattoos and semiotic lacking rather than genuine tattoo symbolism. 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.
References
Andrea Malaya M. Ragragio & Myfel D. Paluga (2023) An anthropological rethinking of the Pintados and early
tattooing in the Visayas, Central Philippines, South East Asia Research, DOI: 10.1080/0967828X.2023.2233896
Mandirigmang Pintados - the Tattooed warriors. the indefinite transition of perceived realities. (n.d.).
http://nightskylie.blogspot.com/2014/02/mandigima-pintados.html
OpenSea. (n.d.). Apo Whang-od - Pintados filipina.
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Sebestian Kroupa, Reading beneath the Skin: Indigenous Tattooing in the Early Spanish Philippines, ca. 1520–
1720, The American Historical Review, Volume 127, Issue 3, September 2022, Pages 1252–1287,
https://doi.org/10.1093/ahr/rhac218
Tabuena, Almighty C. and Domingo, Crizia, Analyzing Contemporary Philippine Art Forms and Critiquing
Available Local Materials and Appropriate Techniques Used in Creating Art (May 23, 2021). International
Journal of Applied Arts Studies, volume 6, issue 1, p. 83 - 100, 2021, Available at SSRN:
https://ssrn.com/abstract=3918047 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3918047
