Dream Jungle Tattoo and the Visionary Behind the Craft.

“Established in 2005 in The City with No Pity (Long Beach, CA), Dream Jungle Tattoo stands as a testament to the creative brilliance of its founder and sole/soul tattoo craftsman, Aleks Figueroa. Renowned in the Filipino tattoo world, Figueroa has earned his place as a trailblazer by being the first to champion Filipino tattoo art without incorporating influences from Polynesian or other cultures.

Within his practice, Figueroa employs a variety of techniques, smoothly shifting between machine and traditional methods. Notably, he integrates febori (a portmanteau of Filipino tebori, meaning “hand-carve” in Japanese) and hand-poke (machine-free) techniques, with those preferences over fatok, the Cordillera local term for hand tap method tattooing (also known as Fatek/Burik/Tatak/Batek/Patik) for its aesthetic, efficiency and the reduced discomfort it offers clients. This meticulous approach is a testament to Figueroa's dedication to offering a wide range of artistic expressions in his craft.

A Haluhalo-American tattoo artist, Figueroa has played a pivotal role in the evolution and promotion of Filipino tribal and cultural tattoo styles. His significant contributions include coining the term "Filipino Tribal" to describe the seamless integration of traditional Filipino tribal motifs with modern tattooing techniques. Figueroa's work serves as a compelling narrative, raising awareness of the rich cultural and historical aspects of Filipino tattooing. His distinctive style pays homage to the indigenous cultures of the Philippines, capturing the essence of their tattooing traditions.

Figueroa's expertise extends beyond the confines of the more prevalent Cordillera Mountain community art styles, encompassing a deep understanding and appreciation of Visaya and Mindanao tattoo art. Recognized as the gatekeeper of various stories and styles, Figueroa actively dispels misinformation surrounding Filipino tattooing.

Beyond his tattooing prowess, Figueroa's journey into advocacy and activism traces back to his early career as a community health worker for Asian Health Services in Oakland Chinatown. In the late '90s, he spearheaded two programs for Alameda County Asian/Pacific Islander (API) high-risk men and youth/young adults. His transition into tattoo art evolved from his initial passion for storytelling through writing fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, akin to a Filipino griot.

The studio's name, Dream Jungle Tattoo, pays homage to the Filipina legend Jessica Hagedorn and her book of the same title. Figueroa is celebrated as a pioneer in the contemporary Filipino tattoo movement, earning titles such as the Godfather of Filipino tattoos for his unwavering commitment to serving clients of Filipino descent globally. His artistry, convictions, and approachable persona have taken him across continents, representing Filipino tattoos in diverse locations, including the Philippines, South Africa, Dubai, Central and South America, Canada, Australia, Europe, Japan, Taiwan, and throughout North America for the Filipino Diaspora and those captivated by his tattoo art.”

As penned by Eric King in Tattoo World Magazine, Figueroa's talents extend beyond tattooing to encompass illustration and graphic design, as well as creative ventures in the kitchen as an innovative chef. Splitting his time between Honolulu, O’ahu, Hawaii, and Long Beach, California, Figueroa continues to leave an indelible mark on the global tattoo scene. Significantly, Figueroa created the domain name filipinotattoos.com in 2001, a few years before the popularization of social media platforms like MySpace in 2004, marking his foresight and pioneering spirit in the online realm of Filipino tattoo culture.