THE HOME OF FILIPINO TATTOOS


Literally. FilipinoTattoos.com started in 2001.

Fun Fact: Since co-pioneering the evolution of the Filipino tattoo arts in 1998 within the Filipino Diaspora, we coined the term “Filipino tattoo” as well as called dibs on the URL www.FilipinoTattoos.com in 2001. It’s not to say there aren’t other Filipino tattoo artists doing their thing, or that we’re even the best or know it all (Pssst…but, we do know a lot; more than the average bear). All BS (shietng baka) aside, we are dedicated to preserving, cultivating and innovating the Filipino tattoo with our unique artistry, craftsmanship and knowledge of the cultures, traditions and of course, tattoos.

The promotion of this site is the continuation of the Filipino tattoo arts, preserving oral/recorded history and progressing the tattoo art business of Dream Jungle Tattoo, operated by California based travelling tattoo craftsman Aleks Figueroa. In advance, we thank you for visiting, inquiring and sharing your kusog (force/energy in Mindanaw) with us.

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BRIEF HISTORY - NOT A REVIVAL

There is a strong interest of Filipino descent people getting tattoos from a Philippine design in the Filipino 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.

Conservatives from the Philippines (and in general) 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. This is far from the truth. Check in with us and see why without being sold snake oil.

Once revered as a symbol for headhunters and their relations, tribal folks all but abandoned this expression prior 1998 (as well as headhunting, hopefully) however, tattooing has come a long way in the last 20-odd years. It has become popular, mainstream and even trendy for new generations. We’ve seen it all. Shoots, we started some of it, too. Although some documentation has improved, many symbols and their meanings are nominal at best.

Today, many Filipino descendants are tattooed. The continuation and adaptation has the Filipino Diasporic community yearns for Filipino identity despite only 10-15% of the Philippines having indigenous roots. Keen interests in styles vary from tribal to Americana, Japanese, Polynesian or a hybrid/halo-halo (mix-mix) of the aforementioned styles into what we know as contemporary, modern, new school- neo-tribal, neo-Filipino etc.

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URBAN INDIGENEOS

"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 a Baybayin/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 instruments to large family names in Alibata/Baybayin have been some themes people have chosen for their tattoo expressions.

Tribal homages have been made with unique pattern combinations from various Filipino tribes. Sabrina Margarita Alcantara-Tan from New York wears one of the first contemporary full-sleeves in the mid-1990s. Aleks Figueroa tattooed Emcee Kiwi of Native Guns then accentuated/improved by Pedro Babugo circa 1998. In turn, Kiwi with his many public performances and community advocacy has influenced the Diaspora the world over to include tattoo clubs and academic organizations. Ed Habacon (formerly of famed Tribal Pinoy clothing company) was extremely influential and one of the first to have his forearms heavily tattooed with traditional Kalinga headhunter patterns which were tattooed in the late 1990s by the legendary Leo Zulueta marking his first Filipino tattoo as well.

More recently, in the early 21st century, adding to the urban indigeneo landscape are a new generation of Filipino descendants that have full sleeves, back, leg and chest tattoos inspired by the traditional tattoos that the headhunter cultures of the highlands wear or portrayed on Visayan “Pintados” in the 1591 Boxer Codex illustrated by Chinese artists for the Spanish colonizers. Today, many tattoos are contemporary in design, some with a Polynesian influence which Figueroa coined as "Polypino" circa 2008 that follows the style that countless of talented Polynesian-style tattoo artists co-pioneered and excelled at. They share a vision to spread the wealth and beauty of Austronesian tattoo lineage/ island culture through tattoos and by those that wish to be in touch with them.

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"FIL-AMERICANA"

As people veered from tribal and started Filipinizing art in general, a style that has caught on are traditional tattoos, also known as American(a), Western, or Old School which are characterized by its clean black outlines, vivid colors, and minimal shading. These are fundamental to traditional style and make it one of the most bold and iconic tattoo styles around.

While renowned for his tribal artistry, Figueroa has crafted a distinctive "Fil-Americana" style, a portmanteau blending Filipino-Americana, also recognized as classic or traditional tattooing. This unique approach garnered limited interest or audience, experiencing a lack of demand until more recent times. The increasing popularity and acceptance of tattoos have shed new light on Filipinx folx and independent artists, allowing them to showcase their talents. This newfound visibility often occurs through global social media platforms.

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