 I know this may come as a shock to most but I have a secret addiction, rest assured it doesn't involve illegal substances unless if beer was to be outlawed (Heaven forbid!).
This addiction started way back in 2000, and as with most scenarios it always starts with curiosity which was what had happened to me. First ink I got was a Celtic cross on my left arm which was followed up by a Tibetan script after a week. And considering the Filipino culture as well as the association of tattoos to crime I had to keep it a secret from my folks who were very traditional. A month after getting my tattoos I grew tired of having to hide it (using a towel, a shirt, and even a book...). I then decided to show it off to my family which had more bad comments than the good artistic comments I was hoping for. Moving forward to 2004 and 2005 I had some enhancements done to the existing tattoos on my left arm as well as added a reptile on my right ankle and the German Iron Eagle on my back which were not received by gasps and horror... fortunately! Most people go for names as well as Japanese inspired themes like the popular "Koi" getting full or half sleeves. Others go to the extreme by covering their bodies with ink reaching their faces. In Cebu there has been a flurry of competitions wherein known tattoo artists compete among themselves in "themed" designs or on the spot design making then on to the actual canvas / skin of their respective models. My tattoo artist "Nattoo" who has done all of my ink though not much of a flashy person shies away from the limelight and finds it more appealing to just work and remain hidden. He has gone to most tourist hotspots in the Philippines reaching as far as Siargao down south making his mark (literally) on foreigners who are brave enough to go under the needle. Funny to think about it that my first 3 sessions actually was made using ink from the pens used by draftsmen or architects and the machine used was nothing more than the motor inside a hair dryer and the needles were the ones used in beads which had to be glued together from time to time. But if there is one thing I dream about it would have to be getting a tattoo done in the traditional Japanese way which was by hand! Yes, there are still artists in Japan who create intricate tattoos by hand with the use of a spatula looking instrument made out of bones that are sharpened and arranged in rows. Well, after an hour or two last night I had my 5th ink which was a portrait of The Madonna (not Madonna the singer Boss Joseph, Hell No!). I can honestly say this would definitely not be the last since another deisng or plan is in the works. A word of advice though, better be safe and cautious especially with sterilization of the needles used to avoid the transfer of diseases.
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