With each tapping sound which led to the thorn piercing onto my skin, I have honored each pain of the past which I have endured and I have never felt more free.

In the early 16th century Batok or traditional hand tattooing has been given as a reward to headhunters and warriors among Kalinga tribes. Body ornamentation from Kalinga has been known for its symmetry and elaborate designs. Today, people flock through the mountains of Kalinga hoping to have a chance to be inked by the famous Apo Wang-Od. Not to disrespect their culture, I gave myself an excuse to have one done on me as I consider myself a warrior fighting against my past.

You’ve probably heard of the OLDEST Mambabatok, Apo Wang Od. I put that in caps because many reporters have tagged her as the last mambabatok but that isn’t exactly true. This traditional way of hand tapping tattoos has been passed on to the younger generations and I am so blessed to have met one of them in Antipolo.

Den Wigan from Tabuk, Kalinga is keeping this culture alive. He is the resident traditional tattoo artist of Pinto Art Museum in Antipolo. Den who is happy to be sharing this rich Filipino tradition, learned the “batok” or hand tapped pricking method from his grandfather.

At the start of the session, Den asked if I already have a design in mind. As this was nothing I have planned on doing, I told him I have no clue. So he showed me a clear book of designs that symbolize virtues in the mountain region. I was looking at arrows that mean having direction or waves that suggest movement. And then I saw the eagle which meant freedom and strength from God. Apart from any other design this was the only one who recognized God so it was a no brainer decision. I knew it had to be on me so that I’m reminded that my life is never really about me but about Him.

It was marking an end and a beginning. It was the end of my pain and sorrow and the beginning of my freedom. And whenever the thought of just giving it all up comes to me, I can now look at this and be reminded that I may be weak but He is strong.

Unlike modern tattoo artists, the young mambabatok uses a pomelo thorn to pierce through your skin and pine charcoal as ink. This method is said to be more painful than machine made tattoos as the thorn is repeatedly tapped on your skin. The tapping of the pat-ik (stick) to the gisi (tattoo instrument) sounded so comforting as I reflected on my own battles and why I wanted something permanent to mark the victories God has given me these past few days. I’m so glad to have a visible expression of my experiences as the lines were being tapped by Den.

As much as I am fascinated by everything local and hand made, I was also amazed to learn of how passionate Den is at sharing this tradition and educating us about life in Kalinga.

 

Agyamanak, Den Wigan! Salamat bagong kaibigan. See you again soon.