THE HOME OF FILIPINO TATTOOS


Literally. FilipinoTattoos.com started in 2001.

Fun Fact: We were part of the evolution of Filipino tattoo art within the diaspora in 1998, we coined the term "Filipino tattoo" and secured the domain www.FilipinoTattoos.com back in 2001. Now, we're not saying there aren't other talented Filipino tattoo artists out there, or that we’re the best. Our mission has always been about preserving, cultivating, and innovating Filipino tattoos as a means of ancestral and cultural connection. We do this through artistry, craftsmanship, and deep knowledge of the traditions and history behind the ink.

Promoting this site is part of continuing that legacy—preserving recorded and oral history while advancing the tattoo art business of Dream Jungle Tattoo, run by California-based traveling tattoo craftsman, Aleks Figueroa. Thank you in advance for visiting, inquiring, and sharing your kusog (force/energy in Mindanaw) with us.

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ORIGIN STORY

There is a growing passion within the Filipino community for tattoos inspired by Philippine designs. This art form has become more than just ink—it represents a new moral code, a fresh sense of love and respect, and a renewed vision for Filipino identity.

That said, more conservative folks in the Philippines (and elsewhere) still hold onto the outdated belief that tattoos are for criminals or are an expression associated with dirtiness, a dying art only seen among indigenous mountain tribes. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Historically, tattoos were symbols of valor for headhunters, but by the late 20th century, many indigenous communities had all but abandoned tattooing (hopefully along with headhunting). However, in the past 25-plus years, Filipino tattoos resurgence has taken on various forms. What was once an almost forgotten tradition is now mainstream, trendy, and a powerful expression of cultural pride. We’ve witnessed it all—and truth be told, we’ve sparked some of it ourselves. While some tattoo symbols have been better documented over time, many of the meanings behind them are still nominal at best.

Today, many people of Filipino descent are embracing tattoos as a way to connect with their roots. The Filipino Diaspora is reclaiming its identity through ink, even though only 10-15% of the Philippines' population has indigenous roots. Tattoo styles vary widely, ranging from traditional tribal designs to Americana, Japanese, Polynesian, or a fusion (halo-halo, or mix-mix) of these influences, forming what we now know as contemporary styles like neo-tribal, neo-Filipino, and modern.

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URBAN INDIGENEOS-THE BIRTH OF “FILIPINO TATTOOS”

"Filipino Tattoos" or "Tribal Filipino Tattoos" emerged from the Filipino-American community as a means of reconnecting with their heritage. The Alibata/Baybayin script, one of the first tattooed identifiers, began to appear on people's skin in the mid-1990s.

The first known person to sport a Baybayin tattoo was Rahul Lagura, who proudly wore the unifying "Ka" syllable on his sternum—4-5 inches wide—in the early '90s. Soon after, back tattoos showcasing Filipino life, ornate instruments, and large family names in Alibata/Baybayin became popular expressions of cultural identity.

This era also saw a surge of tribal designs paying homage to various Filipino tribes. For example, Sabrina Margarita Alcantara-Tan from New York donned one of the first contemporary full sleeves in the mid-'90s. In 1998, Aleks Figueroa tattooed Emcee Kiwi of Native Guns, whose design was later enhanced by Pedro Babugo. Kiwi, with his performances and community advocacy, inspired Filipino tattoo enthusiasts across the globe, influencing everything from tattoo clubs to academic circles. Ed Habacon, the creator of Tribal Pinoy clothing, was among the first to have his forearms heavily tattooed with traditional Kalinga headhunter patterns in the late '90s, done by the legendary Leo Zulueta.

THE EVOLUTION OF FILIPINO TATTOOING in the 21st Century
In recent years, a new generation of Filipino descendants has embraced full-sleeve, back, leg, and chest tattoos inspired by traditional designs worn by highland headhunters or portrayed on Visayan Pintados in the 1591 Boxer Codex. Some tattoos now carry Polynesian influences, a style that Aleks Figueroa dubbed “Polypino” around 2008. This hybrid approach blends the rich tattoo traditions of Austronesian island cultures, bringing them to life through ink. Figueroa and many other Polynesian-style tattoo artists have contributed to this movement, aiming to share the wealth and beauty of this artistic lineage with those seeking to connect with it.

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THE "FIL-AMERICANA" STYLE:

As people moved away from purely tribal designs, they began to infuse Filipino elements into other art forms, leading to new tattoo styles. One popular style is traditional tattooing, often referred to as Americana, Western, or Old School. This style is characterized by bold black outlines, vivid colors, and minimal shading, making it one of the most iconic forms of tattoo art.

While known for his tribal work, Aleks Figueroa also developed his own distinctive “Fil-Americana” style, blending Filipino and classic American tattooing traditions. Initially, there was little demand for this style, but as tattoos have become more widely accepted, Filipinx artists and independent tattooists are finally gaining the recognition they deserve, often showcased on global social media platforms.

NEO FILIPINO TATTOOS:

As tattoos evolved and new generations began to blend traditional tribal symbols with modern influences, a unique style emerged—Neo-Filipino Tattooing. This contemporary approach merges age-old Filipino motifs with fresh, innovative techniques and elements from other cultures, such as Polynesian and Americana, allowing artists like Figueroa to craft a new visual language that speaks to the evolving identity of the Filipino Diaspora.

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