ENGRAVED BEYOND layers, the batok tattoo continues to deepen its identity, inked on the hands of Apo Whang-Od's apprentices to preserve traditional tattoos even in this modern age.
The hurdle of adapting the present machines is reflected today, yet the Buscalan artists made sure to keep the indigenous traditional art "alive” even in the bustling metro.
"Hindi namamatay ‘yong traditional tattoo. Malaking exposure sa mga tao ang Red Tent Events at pinapakita rin ‘yong village namin as tattoo village," Moonlee Bagtang, the head of Whang-Od's apprentices, told the Manila Pulse.
(Traditional tattoos do not die. Red Tent Events is a huge exposure given their promotion to the people shows our village as a tattoo village.)
Through Red Tent Events, an organizer for local entrepreneurs, there is an opportunity to bring down the batok tattoo heritage from Kalinga province to the City of Manila.
Originally derived from the remote village of Buscalan where the last mambabatok lives, pambabatok sprung as a traditional tattoo of hand-tapping using bamboo sticks, grapefruit thorn, pomelo, and calamansi which are "all organic," the apprentice explained.
She added that Whang-Od used to utilize the same needle, making the apprentices implement the "get your own, buy your own" rule when availing bamboo to avoid contamination and for safety precautions.
Despite the painstaking hand-tapping, Bagtang assured its safety as it is free from any chemicals and suitable for provincial people like her who value cultural preservation.
"As a legacy rin ni Apo Whang-Od, kapag nawala siya, kami ‘yong parang magtutuloy sa pag hand-tap tattoo. Hindi namin hahayaan na mawala lang... Kaya parang kami ‘yong successor niya sa darating na panahon," she said.
(As [part] of Apo Whang Od’s legacy, we would be the ones to continue the hand-tapping tattoo [tradition]. We won’t let [the tradition] die with her. We intend to become her successors in the future.)
Similarly, Red Tent Events coordinator shared the essence of old-time body art compared to the modern ink as it embraces Filipino pride.
"Purpose kasi talaga niyan is to support the traditional tattoo, and then, syempre, si Apo is part na ng history natin," Divine Daoang, the coordinator of Red Tent Event, said.
(The purpose is to support traditional tattoo, and of course to remember Apo as she is already part of our history.)
"Nag-create pa tayo ng ganitong event para ma-experience ng mga walang kapasidad na makapunta ng Buscalan ang ganitong session ng tattoo," he added.
(We created this event so that those without the capacity to go to Buscalan can experience this kind of tattoo session.)
From the break of daylight 'till the passing of dusk, people visiting the varying bazaar spots of Red Tent in Metro Manila can get inked through reservation or walk-in with a minimum fee of P1,000 and P300 per Baybayin letter.
An American tourist named Kate Campbell, 32, had no scheduled plans for a tattoo but risks were taken as she saw Red Tent’s tarpaulin while exploring Fort Santiago.
"I wanted to know since I’ve only ever had machined tattoos. So, I wanted to know if it feels different, everything like that," she said.
Campbell noted that the rapid poking of batok tattoo was less painful compared to the burning sensation and scraping texture of iron tattoo today.
"I think this is the only way I ever would have gotten it. If I didn’t see this today, I probably would have never gotten this," she added.
Two sides of the coin
According to a Filipino tattooing study from the Dominican University of California, tattoo culture in the Philippines was once an ancient tradition that has faced a period of negative connotation and discrimination, but today’s generation considers tattoos as art that symbolize “individual expressions” of identity.
For Bagtang, it all boils down to a person's "conviction" since there are two sides of the same coin.
"I-ko-consider naman natin ‘yong mindset ng iba. Hindi naman natin sila ma-blame kasi depende rin sa religious [beliefs] kung saan sila lumaki. Depende rin sa pagpapalaki ng parents nila," she explained.
(We’ll consider the mindset of others. We can’t blame them because it also depends on their religious [beliefs]. It may also depend on how their parents raised them.)
Classic tattoos like hand-poking have been long gone in other countries such as the United States. Campbell echoed that her impulsive decision led to a “cool souvenir,” which may vary for others.
Erasing the traditional tattoo culture is possible as modernity and taboos are now noticeable, but one thing's permanent—Buscalan’s batok tattoo carved on Philippine history. – Amir Khalil Sioson and Julianne Loreign Vicente/Manila Pulse
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