Beyond the tattoo
Change takes place practically in all aspects in life. For us to be better, if not the best version of ourselves, we must experience constructive transformation. However not all changes are taking place on a positive level. There are changes that are taken on a disconcerting regard as they are objectionable and undesirable.
The change on how people perceive symbolisms is no exception. Take for instance, tattoo. At present it is being associated to criminals, members of the syndicates, whose illegal activities are in the incessant watch by law enforcement. This is far from the tattoos of the only living tattoo artist or "magbabatuk" in the Cordillera region, Apo Whang-Od, who still practices the traditional tattoo ritual.
Recently no less than the son of our president, Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte, has been accused by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV to be a member of an elite Chinese triad that is involved in some illegal activities like drug smuggling. And as a way of proving his point, the senator wanted that the supposed tattoo of Duterte be shown, taken picture of and sent to the United States for decoding. He asserts that if one has this kind of tattoo, this becomes the very identity as member of the syndicate.
But let's take tattoo beyond its present corporeal undertones. It is an art that is not limited to paint brushes and pens. Known for their innate resourcefulness, our forefathers used their own bodies as a "living canvass" to express themselves by means of the painful, yet intricate, art of tattooing. Though it is highly criticized by many conservative minds as a way of disrespecting and defiling one's own body, perhaps there is something more to this form of art, beyond the fact that it requires blood and endurance before someone might fully appreciate the beauty that lies under the works of needle and ink.
Historically, the tattoos that our Filipino warriors possessed were not just meant for decorative purposes. As stated by William Henry Scott in his book "Barangay: Sixteenth Century Philippine Culture," for instance, "the tattoos of the Pintados project an aura of intimidation and fear towards their enemies, which was a part of their psychological strategy during tribal war and raids. It should be noted that this is not some kind of elaborated bluff that they utilized, for acquiring their own tattoo required a tormenting process that only the toughest could endure. Using a thorn from local Calamansi trees as the primary tool, the ancient art of Filipino tattooing can be done into two ways. One is by dipping the thorn, attached in a wooden stick, in a charcoal paste and then tapping repeatedly in one's skin. The second is by cutting or prickling the skin wherein charcoal powder will be rubbed in the wounds it created."
With such grueling process, tattoo becomes a symbol of courage, and definitely not a mark of cowardice under the disguise of a dubious organization.
Tattooing, after several centuries, holds a different symbolism that at present is scornfully perceived by others primarily because of how some have used it for shady intent. After all, recognizing the historical value of tattoos traces the original symbolism of pride, artistry and bravery.
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