Filipino tribal tattoo and cross
May 9, 2008 by Christian
Here a great shoulder tattoo sent in by RPB from LA. It’s done by the tatak ng apat na alon tribe. What I find interesting is the mixture of “Filipino” tribal and Christianity. Some may say that it shows the confusion of many Filipinos in regards to their culture. While trying to discover and represent our “roots”, we are still living in the colonial mindset. It’s an interesting paradox.
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46 Responses to “Filipino tribal tattoo and cross”
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Tight looking tat. Good point on the article too. I feep ya. Salaam
Tight looking tat. Good point on the article too. I feep ya. Salaam
Great lookin tat… filipinos are a mixture of many different cultures whic h makes pionoys so unique.. having christianity tattoo and traditional filipino tattoo is what a filipino really is… we cannot deny our spaniard blood….
I think we Filipinos still have a love afair with the Spanish even though most of us have no Spanish blood at all. That’s why many of us are obsessed with mistizos. The Filipino IS a paradox. Its up to you to decide what side your on.
Great lookin tat… filipinos are a mixture of many different cultures whic h makes pionoys so unique.. having christianity tattoo and traditional filipino tattoo is what a filipino really is… we cannot deny our spaniard blood….
I think we Filipinos still have a love afair with the Spanish even though most of us have no Spanish blood at all. That’s why many of us are obsessed with mistizos. The Filipino IS a paradox. Its up to you to decide what side your on.
WOw what a great lookin tat… if you have a spanish last name your ancestors are likely to be spaniards… and thats about 90 percent of pinoys.. so most of us pinoys have spanish blood..
90%? Where did you get your stats from? Like Paula said, due to colonial mentality, many of us want Spanish blood. A Spanish last name doesn’t automatically equal Spanish blood as many of us were “given” Spanish last names when baptized Christian. Other reasons for Spanish last names:
- Self-changed to be more prestigious in the eyes of our colonizers and separate ourselves from the “indios”.
- Changed by our Spanish masters just like how Africans took on their American slave master’s last names.
- Did you know of the Alphabetical Inventory of Surnames? Native “indios” without surnames had to get in line to get a Spanish one.
WOw what a great lookin tat… if you have a spanish last name your ancestors are likely to be spaniards… and thats about 90 percent of pinoys.. so most of us pinoys have spanish blood..
90%? Where did you get your stats from? Like Paula said, due to colonial mentality, many of us want Spanish blood. A Spanish last name doesn’t automatically equal Spanish blood as many of us were “given” Spanish last names when baptized Christian. Other reasons for Spanish last names:
- Self-changed to be more prestigious in the eyes of our colonizers and separate ourselves from the “indios”.
- Changed by our Spanish masters just like how Africans took on their American slave master’s last names.
- Did you know of the Alphabetical Inventory of Surnames? Native “indios” without surnames had to get in line to get a Spanish one.
well i’m happy that i got spanish blood because if i didn’t i would be dark and ugly,
well i’m happy that i got spanish blood because if i didn’t i would be dark and ugly,
Gloke, that’s two ignorant statements by you. Uncle Tom Filipino.
Gloke, that’s two ignorant statements by you. Uncle Tom Filipino.
kayla, i see you are one of the unfortunate ones that have dark skin and a flat nose… but don’t worry they offer foundation or some kind of treatment to make your skin lighter you should look into it.. what is a filipino uncle tom??? because i have spanish blood, light skin don’t look like an igorot doesn’t make me a uncle tom…
kayla, i see you are one of the unfortunate ones that have dark skin and a flat nose… but don’t worry they offer foundation or some kind of treatment to make your skin lighter you should look into it.. what is a filipino uncle tom??? because i have spanish blood, light skin don’t look like an igorot doesn’t make me a uncle tom…
Gloke, I see that your uneducated. You should read Uncle Tom’s Cabin.
Gloke, I see that your uneducated. You should read Uncle Tom’s Cabin.
kyla, i know uncle toms cabin, but what is a uncle tom filipino??? i have spanish blood and filipino blood, how does that make me a uncle tom filipino..(that sound so fobish) are you a fob too??? theres nothing worse then a LOUD, dark, flatnose, FOB….where are you from kyla??? please answer my questions.. if you need a tagalog translater let me know…
kyla, i know uncle toms cabin, but what is a uncle tom filipino??? i have spanish blood and filipino blood, how does that make me a uncle tom filipino..(that sound so fobish) are you a fob too??? theres nothing worse then a LOUD, dark, flatnose, FOB….where are you from kyla??? please answer my questions.. if you need a tagalog translater let me know…
Gloke, I live in the bay area. You latest statement makes no sense. 1) Uncle Tom’s Cabin isn’t really known in the Phil, so you bysaying its a fob thing to say is stupid. It makes me sad to see that you have so much hate.
Gloke, I live in the bay area. You latest statement makes no sense. 1) Uncle Tom’s Cabin isn’t really known in the Phil, so you bysaying its a fob thing to say is stupid. It makes me sad to see that you have so much hate.
I dont have hate,, you started it… all i want to know is what is a Uncle tom filipino???? you potrait me as one..but i don’t know what is a Uncle Tom Filipino??? Just give a brief explanation.. or are you just making stuff up…
You have colonial mentality. You said you know Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Replace the race talked about in the book and replace it with Filipino and you have yourself. You can also replace Uncle Tom with the Spanish for your sake. If don’t understand this simple comparison, do some self research.
I dont have hate,, you started it… all i want to know is what is a Uncle tom filipino???? you potrait me as one..but i don’t know what is a Uncle Tom Filipino??? Just give a brief explanation.. or are you just making stuff up…
You have colonial mentality. You said you know Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Replace the race talked about in the book and replace it with Filipino and you have yourself. You can also replace Uncle Tom with the Spanish for your sake. If don’t understand this simple comparison, do some self research.
Kyla, listen up stupid kunt…what does Uncle tom’s Cabin have relation with me having spanish blood??? theres no comparison… your just making up shit… you fucking fob…
Kyla, listen up stupid kunt…what does Uncle tom’s Cabin have relation with me having spanish blood??? theres no comparison… your just making up shit… you fucking fob…
LOL, it’s not the fact (or wish) of your Spanish blood. It’s your colonial mental state as noted by your comments above. If you actually read the book, you would be able to make the connection. One curses when one can’t explain themselves intellectually.
LOL, it’s not the fact (or wish) of your Spanish blood. It’s your colonial mental state as noted by your comments above. If you actually read the book, you would be able to make the connection. One curses when one can’t explain themselves intellectually.
Sorry to interrupt, but does anyone know of a good pinoy tatu shop in Orange County, CALI?
Not in the OC but in the LBC. Look for Aleks at Dream Jungle Tattoo http://dreamjungletattoo.com
Okay Gloke, you really want to know what an Uncle Tom Filipino is?
You’re obviously never going to read nor understand the book so I’ll give it to you in your terms. It’s a sellout to his own race and ethnicity;
your’s being Brown and Filipino. You seem to want to claim some whiteness by clinging to the hope that you have some Spanish blood.
What’s wrong with being dark and having a broad, flat nose? You sound like a White racist. And just because you have lighter skin and a “higher “nose doesn’t prove you have Spanish blood. You could very well have Chinese blood. The beauty of the Philippines is that the cultures and heritage of the people are so diverse. Why even bag on
certain traits of your so-called own people? It’s bad enough that some other elitist Asians ie, Koreans and Japanese consider us as bottom of the ladder as far as Asians. And what’s wrong with you even using the term f.o.b.? Your parents are most likely immigrants. Quit with the insults. I thought this site was about Filipino tattoos. That was a nice piece on his arm, by the way.
[...] “tribal” shoulder piece with Baybayin and Christ. Another mashup of pre & post Filipino history controversy. I’m not really sure what the Baybayin says but it looks like the free fonts you see online. [...]
attn: all of those who know nothing of their heritage nor fully understand the true meaning of being Filipino.
How dare you? We live under the same Sun and sleep under the same moon that watched our ancestors get savaged, raped and killed by Spaniards (amongst others).
How dare you Glorify the bloodline of a country who took your ancestors, forced to mix with their own and made a new race to eradicate its original not-good-enough selves? We were forced into Christianity yet they used our religion, our Christian ways and virtues to justify evil actions.
How would you feel if I killed your family in the name of Spain?
Would you still cling dearly to the ideals of having a big nose, fair skin and their blood running through your veins?
It was the revolt of the Filipinos who drove Spain out of our country that gave you the opportunities to get you where you are today. so why must you welcome them back into your heart? Why do you back up that mind-set?
The next time you feel proud seeing the Filipino flag, the next time you feel proud of a Filipino male/female making their mark, understand that you do not deserve to share this pride with us. Maybe that so called “FOB†can give you insight, share with you stories and enlighten your life with their experiences of being Filipino. They have the right because THEY ARE FROM THE PHILIPPINES IDIOT……. You know, that same country you’re sooo proud of.
A great man once said, “The Filipino drowns in sweat yet smiles at the Sunshine….â€
Do you know who said that? Ofcourse you don’t, the Filipino Uncle Tom wouldn’t have the slightest clue.
I am who I am,
Im not a Pacific islander,
Im not Filipino/Hawaiian,
nor am I Filipino w/ Spanish blood
Im not Filipino/ducth/chinese
Am I am definitely not Filipino/Irish/French
I am my own man. I am Los Angeles raised and come from a family generations bred and grown of the Islands Named the Philippines by force.
A man that can look to his ancestors and know that they can be proud of my accomplishments and fully understand that the sweat, blood and tears shed for my future was not in Vane.
I am Filipino of the true Filipinos and you have a lot more rice to eat in your lifetime before you can share from my Bowl.
-Marvin
well maybe you should stand in front of a catholic church and explain that to all the filipinos that go to church everysunday……. or maybe you should go back to the phillipines and burn down the churches.. but of course you wouldnt want to go back to the phillpinines.. because its a fucked up place to live…. Or maybe you should start with your own family im pretty sure you have family that are christians… but they will not listen to you because you don’t know what your talking about… your just an American filipino trying to hard to show your a filipino blood… but deep down… your just fake and love to talk shit… just like a real filipino.. its in our nature… what ever we do or say.. as long as your proud to admit your filipino,,,thats all that matters…
Bong Water: Not sure who your addressing your comments to but “as long as your proud to admit your filipino,,,thats all that matters…” would be superficial.
@ gloke
wahaha….you’re so full of yourself eh!…
you’re not a filipino..
(coz you’re a bloody american-slash-spanish-wannabe)
you’re not a spaniard…
(just because i said so… haha)
nor an american…
(an american should be worth calling one if he/she has worked his arse off just to get to live in the greener pastures of america. not just because u were born there. you’re parents are.)
but you??? nothing….
you’re no one!
do me a favour!
look for a new nationality.
MABUHAY!
@ Bong Water
First off: The Philippines is a wonderful place to live. I went to High School there (Jr High equivilant) and continue to go back every year.
Secondly, do your homework. Sit down and read about your ancestry. Or if youre lucky enough, sit down with filipino people and hear what they have to say about what happened to our people.
I do not bash on Catholicism/Christianity as a whole, but i do hate on the false representation due to the ties to a Supposed-Superior Country (The Catholic Spanish Assembly).
you said, “or maybe you should go back to the phillipines and burn down the churches…” <—- are you retarded?
the churches at the time of the Revolt were burned down, and their Oppressing Spaniard Priests killed by the hands of the oppressed Filipinos. Its not the Church at fault but the Priests who used the Church’s name under a Spanish Right to rape Filipina Women and treat Filipino’s as they did. These are the same Spaniard Priests that murdered Filipino priests with the reason, “We will not let Brown Trash teach our Spanish Lords word…!”
I mean shit, when certain American Priests were convicted of Molestation did that not burn a hole in your heart as well? But no we did not judge all Catholic priests except those at fault.
I dont need to remind Filipino Catholics of anything that our Muslim Filipino Brothers/Sisters havent already.
-Marvin
Education erases Ignorance so go back to school. I’ll even buy you pencils.
wow. what a bigot. You are an embarrassment to the Pinoy culture.
The tribal design in this picture is NOT ‘Filipino’ in any form, they are Kalinga, Ifugao, etc. They are native to the Cordillera mountain tribes of Luzon. The tribes of he Cordilleras evaded foreign influences and preserved their indigenous, unlike Filipino culture they are mixture of many kinds. Lets recognize these tribes, by not calling their tattoo Filipino. They’ve been through so much already. peace!
Well said Eddie
[...] is this tattoo representative of the duality of the so-called Filipino, misunderstanding of history, or blind pride? What do you think? Read something I wrote about 10 [...]
Hmm…Not sure what to say to these posts…but I knew I had to comment. Marvin: your posts: well done and well put. Eddie: Your distinction between actual Filipino art and art done by the tribes in Luzon was also a good point. To Gloke and Kyla, although both of you fought back and forth defending your own thoughts and beliefs tooth and nail…at times using some harsh and hateful words, it is nice to see that people have so much love for their heritage that it makes their blood boil when defending it… Isn’t that what life and love is all about? Rejoice in your differences and except them. I love being apart of the pinoy culture, it is apart of me, and I love that there are so many of us that share in the same feelings. That’s all.
whats with the question Marks?
I see that every one is speaking their minds on the TATTOO done by us, the tribe… how it is MIX with the CROSS and the traditional tribal.. first of ALL that is not our IDEA at all to mix the cross and the traditional tribal together it was his.. we wanted to place it on the other arm that was clear to start a new, but it was the CLIENTS choice what he wanted..
he is the one who had the TATTOO of the CROSS before hand, it was there already on his arm, name & all.. and instead of starting on the other arm where he is not tattooed and collecting a new tattoo he wanted to gain more tattoos on one area INSTEAD of doing what WHITE PEOPLE do with there tattoos called the DALMATION effect, that is the, “Here and There Tattoo Me Syndrome” “Spotted Effect” it looks like a messy TOY TAGGING when it could be a pro GRAFFITTI big PIECE mural that tells a major story.. that deals with all of his past, his present and his BELIEFS from then, here and now.. from his family, his children what his ancestors believes in “THEN” that is what the TRIBAL is about and represents…
so of course the NATIVE indigenous animist pagan religion totally co-incides and show part of the FILIPINO CULTURE before the spanish mission and christian converts was introduced and what he believes in “NOW” CROSS his christianity..
SO TO ALL who jumps to conclusion and do not know what is up and mention this tattoos is a PARADOX because ther is a cross with tribal all around it. Remember it was not the TATTOOIST choice to do it that way, but it turned out great in the long run because the great spirit was guiding everyone to put all and all together, so to all who commented that this is a confusing tattoo or someone was confuse please NOT no one was.. it was not such a MYSTERY or too confusing to PUT IT TOGETHER..