This is an unfinished tattoo of Daryl with his version of 3 Stars and a Sun. He promised us that he will share its complete look as soon as it got finished.

These three photos that means ROBLES are from Pinoy Tribal.

This simple letter tattoo also means ROBLES.

These tattoos unveil the richness of Philippine culture. We can see this by the different designs these artist are making. There are still many designs and meaning of tattoos out there. They are not merely decorations of the body but have greater meanings that we should learn and know.

“Proud to be and I’m not hiding it!”, a message from Allan of St. Pete, Florida along with his inspired by virtual game tattoo. His tattoo is a Philippine spaceship with 3 Stars and a Sun. Looking closely, you can see the Philippine Island inside the sun which greatly represents the country.

A very inspiring one especially to those who are virtual gamers. This one will make you think that Filipinos are very competitive and reigning even in the virtual world. And this is also one way of being nationalistic. Nowadays, even a three year old kid knows how to play computer games. We will not be surprised if one day Filipinos are among those whom what we call “Game Masters.” So keep the spirit, represent your country, fight for your country and be proud of it!

More info on Baybayin (not Alibata)

Suku-Art

To give you some background, tribal tattoos are more on black inks, holds up very well and doesn’t fade easily. Plus, this is easy to design and very bold. So the next time you want to have a customized tattoo, you can consider trying this first because there are lot of tattoo artists that can do very well on this.

By the way, this tattoo was made by Kiko of Island Ink located in San Diego, Las Vegas.

With all other art forms such as painting, Baybayin, cooking, fashion, dancing, singing, rapping, poetry, FMA (Filipino Martial Arts) and etc are all well represented but where is the Filipino Tattoo community? I get asked about Filipino tattoos, especially tribal patterns 50x at every event. My experience is in San Francisco Bay Area but I assume that other regions across the USA/world are probably in the same situation. What about in the Philippines? Is there some sort of FREE education? There might be but I don’t see it on the internet and in this modern world, if it’s not on the internet – it doesn’t exist…..period. It may exist in your local area but in order to spread/keep the culture, it has to be online.

I fully understand that these cultural events are usually on the weekends and that’s your busiest times but maybe the investment in your own culture is worth it? What is the point of trying to preserve/spread the culture if you only teach people who can afford to pay? I’m all for capitalism but it’s a big contradiction.

From a business standpoint, it’s stupid to teach your craft or the meanings of “secret” tribal tattoo patterns but from a cultural one, it’s blah. I can tell you from personal experience by teaching Baybayin for FREE and giving out FREE materials to ANYONE who asks has been rewarding culturally, personally and financially. If someone steals my artwork and does their own thing, so what…..let them. I’ll just have to step it up. If I can’t, then so be it.

So my ask is of Filipino tattoo artists is…..please share your knowledge of Filipino tattoos. Don’t leave out the good 99% of your fellow Pinoys because your scared of the 1% that might take advantage of what you know. There’s a BIG hole in the Filipino tattoo community. If you don’t fill it, someone else will and it will be your loss. Need help or exposure, contact me and I will be gladly to assist.

luckyvanstattoo.com

Jason (San Diego)
Ruivivar by Skin N Art
“RUIVIVAR and I’m proud to be a Filipino. This tats is my last name and we’re quite a few in our hometown. So I decided to write it in modified Spanish way and also to show that no matter where I am or who I’m with, I’ll say that I’m proud to be Pinoy.” 

Did he not know Third Watch?

If not, then he may not know Anthony Michael Ruivivar, one of the main casts of the NBC’s TV drama series Third Watch which last aired May 2005. And he may be interested in knowing the actor since both of them are of kin to Juan dela Cruz.

Anthony Michael’s father is of Filipino, Chinese, and Spanish descent while his mother is German and Scottish. The actor played the role of Carlos Nieto in the show which allowed him to show off his ethnicity that includes of the Filipino characteristic. Too bad he isn’t that visible on the screen now as he was before. 

We wonder if the inked Ruivivar is trying to pull a trick that he hasn’t heard of the actor Ruivivar.

Gerald Genus (Sac-Town, Cali)
by Cross Creek Tattoo in NC
“The Flag in tribal-ish style, a little bit different than the rest.”

Speaking of TRIBAL, did you know that as of 1990s a 100 plus highland tribal groups or a 3% of indigenous people have been known to be living in the Philippines?

Various tribes of various culture ranges from Luzon to Mindanao. We have the Bontoc, Ibaloi, Ifugao and more from our Igorot tribes of Cordillera, the T’boli and B’laan which are the two indigenous groups found in Mindanao, and let us not forget the Aetas that are mostly located in Zambales. The list goes on and we don’t want to bore you enumerating all.

Thumbs up for the Philippine government for their continuous effort of preserving our tribal groups. Indigenous people are encourage to speak in their native language, dress in their traditional clothing, and celebrate their tradition and culture.

Wilson (Red Deer Ab, Canada)
The sun and the three stars tribal tattoo with a basketball
by Pleasure N’ Pain

It isn’t Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao neither the Pinoy rap icon Francis Magalona’s contribution to the local scene that the insignia three stars and a sun represents. It’s the juncture of Filipinos’ approaches to nationalism. Yes, the height of popularity of this insignia was the Master Rapper’s death, but one can just simply translate its now-reputation into, “hey, I am a proud Filipino.”

English are very much involved with football. Americans has soccer. Brazilians enjoy volleyball. Filipinos’ passion for sport lies in basketball. One can find basketball courts in every street corner flooded with aficionados either playing or watching.

The sport equestrian and the red dragon from Wales’ flag don’t look good together. Thanks to the artist that the idea of the tattoo above was resembled adeptly.