Tinta

Juki Grafia. Tattoo Artist.
Photo by Joy Cruz

Intense pain, like no other.

Some say its an addiction, others say its not worth it.

Back in the day, tattoos weren’t accepted. Prisoners, gang members and rockstars were the only ones that were allowed to have tatts. Anybody else, they were discriminated. I don’t get the whole thingamajig about getting inked. To me, it was amazing, and its still is.

The first time I had the urge to get a tattoo was back in elementary. I used to watch wrestling and the wrestlers had tatts all over them. One guy had flames on his head, it was nooooice. Haha. But then, of course my parents were like, “you cant have a tattoo, because you wont be able to get a job when you grow up.” So.. I had no choice, had to erase the thought of getting one. Too bad.

Highschool. WILD! New school, new people. I met Don. He had wicked tattoos. We became buddies. I envied him. Oh well.

I was into music too and I had a band. We used to play rapcore. Cheese, Greyhoundz, Slapshock were my influences. And all of them had ink! Haha.  

I bugged my mum about it, but nothing happened. Haha. I tried getting a henna tattoo, it sucked, period. Haha. Every time there was a guy or girl, that had a tattoo would look at me with a smirk. Its like their saying that I was pathetic because my tatt was a henna. Fuck’em.

College! Freeeeeeeeedoooooom! Haha. 2006 – my first tattoo. YEBA! It said “KAPATID” in Alibata, its our ancestors writing.

 

I was so happy! Haha. But then I wanted more.

2008, I had my second tattoo. This tatt was closure for me. See, I had a 5-6 year relationship with this girl. She was special. We wanted to get identical tatts. A red star on the wrist. But then we had to part ways…  and it was a big deal for me. (that’s a different story.) I got a bunch of stars, with a lot of swirly thingys to represent how hard it was for me. And I have a teardrop colored in red. You do the math. Haha. Im no emo though. Haha. 

photo by chino taa

My third one was last year, 2010. I got two. Haha. An ambigram of my middle name, and a rhasta swirl on my elbow.  My middle name because it’s a middle name. gets? Haha. We seldom use our middle name thats why I wanted to get it tattooed on me and its my mums last name. =)

 The rhasta swirl, because I was into reggae and I loved Bob Marley, his kids that make music (Damian & Ziggy) and The band FRANCO.  I loved anything that had a twist of reggae. I even got dreads. Haha. I was really into it.

I got tattoos for my birthday. I have this circle in my hand that I always kiss right after I make the sign of the cross. This circle represents me and my mum. And I have some waves the represent the flow of life. Its not finished yet but its pretty nice. Haha.

photo by Joy curz

Im just waiting for the day that I can get a Japanese art dragon with some waves and cherry blossoms plus a hanya mask. Im reserving my left arm for that. I want a full sleeve. But then again, my mum wont let me. So, the wait continues.. Haha.

Tattoos are used in a lot of ways. It can be art, it can also be a personal thing, and it can make your skin look good. Damn good. Haha.

Our generation today has embraced it and Im very happy. Plus, I cant see myself working in an office, so it’s a win-win for me.

Now tell me, am I an addict? Haha.

Almost Famous.

Noy(roadie), Me, Jeriko(vocals), Gian(drummer), Gerby(bassist), Ralph(photog.) and Kim(keyboards).

Remember the movie? It was about a teenage journalist writing for Rolling Stone magazine while covering the fictitious rock band Stillwater, and his efforts to get his first cover story published.  One of my favorite movies of all time. Back when I first saw it, I was like, I want to be that guy, who travels with the band, do crazy stuff with them and all that. then it happened.

A friend of mine was friends with this upcoming band. The Anak Band. Fronted by the son of the famous Freddie Aguilar. 

They wanted to make a DVD of their gig at Palawan. Having HD quality video on our cameras, we decided to take the job.

Day One. We landed in Palawan with a bang! Haha. I felt like a rockstar when we got off the plane because a lady was making us wear these “welcome necklaces” like what they do in Hawaii. Haha. Followed by a motorcade around the city.

 

Day Two.  Woke up early to have breakfast. Yum.

Set up. Sound Check. Show Time.

Backstage was the best. Haha. Celebration. Boom!

Day Three. Manila Bound.

Being part of the team was definitely amazing. I had no idea that it would be so much fun. Walking around the airport, “Kwentuhan” while chugging down the mixed drink of Sting Energy Drink and Cossac  Blue Alcohol by Gerby. (The Bassist), The late night foodtrips, The side comments of Kim (Keyboards) and how Gian (Drummer) bullied Kim after every corny joke. Haha.

Aside from the gig, my favorite part of the trip was when we were drinking and Jeriko (Vocals) was fixing his guitar strings. He was telling us his story. How he grew up, first time he played guitar – how he learned to play, and being the son of KaFreddie. It was so pure and I felt it. 

A priceless story. 

“Ngayon, alam ko na ang ibig sabihin ng tunay na tao.” I told a friend that because of them (The Aguilars) I saw the real meaning of being true to yourself, and how to stay grounded even if your, as we say, “Sikat”.

 I raise my lighter to them…  To our group. 

“Ito na ang taon natin.” – Jeriko Aguilar.