Sean (New Jersey)
Sun and Stars w/ kids names and last name in baybayin by Under the Gun

The image shows the tribal tattoo of Michael Valdez from Milpitas, CA. It covered his arm and chest and he plans to extend it around his back to his whole arms.

Another simple yet promising and nationalistic tattoo was shared to us. Watch out for more!

This also denotes the high respect and love of Edward with his family for his tattoo design showed it. This one is consists of 3 Stars and a Sun with the letters in family design that says his name “Edward Tumanan Tribue”.

Looks great but one character is upside down. Can anyone guess? If your going to get Baybayin tattooed, don’t use an online translator is they don’t know pronunciation and context. Either learn the script or ask someone for help.

If you are nationalistic like Allistair Jay of San Francisco, might consider to have this kind of tattoo. It is bold and need not to say more on how much you love your country, your origin and your blood.

This one was made by Kiko Arceo of Island Ink & Dennis Mata’afa of Sacred Center Tattoo.

This tattoo came from Joseph of Fullerton. This is his grandfather’s name. As seen, Filipino grandson really cherished and love their “lolo’s and lola’s.” Need not to say more.

For more information about Tha Kuya, you can visit their site at http://www.thakuya.com.

Jesse (Southern Cailfornia)
by Tiki Tattoo in Lacey, WA 

Are we really related?

If you go online and use the words Filipino and Polynesian as keywords, you’ll actually find out that Filipinos are being questioned as to whether have Polynesian lineage as well since we have the same resemblance. Some say we are and others say there’s no connection at all. A number of blabbermouths argues that we are both.

The truth is, Filipinos are Asians but also geographically located in the Pacific Ocean or Oceana (Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia) in which inhabitants are called Pacific Islanders. And so, since our country lies within the boundaries of Pacific Ocean, did just make us Pacific Islanders or Polynesians? No. Though Philippines is located within the boundaries of Pacific Ocean, it isn’t a part of Oceania. Polynesia is polys or many and nesos or island and not many Asians just like some of us believe.

Noel F. (Manama, Bahrain)
Pinoy Pride by SpillN-ink Tattoos
“The design was originally for my right forearm. One day, a Fil-Am asked me that he wanted a tat to represent his roots. I showed him the sketch and there it was.”

No it’s not the grouper fish. It’s the great Lapu-Lapu, then king of Mactan, whom you can see in the middle.

Regarded as the first Filipino hero, Lapu-Lapu is the first native who resisted Spanish colonization by Spanish soldiers when its leader—ironically, a Portuguese—Ferdinand Magellan set foot to the Philippine Islands year 1521. Though the Muslim chieftain was killed along with his men during the Battle of Mactan, he will always be remembered as a hero.

Having sad those, Lapu-Lapu can be seen as a central figure in the official seal of the Philippine National Police. His figure was also use in one of the now-defunct one centavo coins. A type of grouper fish which can only be found in the country is named after him. Believe it or not, but an alcoholic drink was also named in his honor.

So when you say Lapu-Lapu, it isn’t only the fish. He’s a hero worthy of admiration.