00:00 Many Filipinos believe in traditional Natsatsu art.
00:04 But before we discuss this, let's watch this first.
00:08 The history of traditional Tattoo art in the Philippines
00:15 has a deep meaning in our country.
00:18 It is an art that contains the skills of different tribes.
00:24 Some of these are called "pagbabatok"
00:28 where it brings meaning to each symbol and figure
00:32 that is expressed in the body of each individual.
00:35 It is not just a piece of art that is engraved on our skin,
00:40 but a path to continue our story and history.
00:45 Let's meet the Igorot Tattoo artist, Amin Anchaur,
00:49 here in Rise and Shine, Philippines.
00:55 And if there is anyone who wants to share their traditional tattoo art journey,
00:59 we will have Amin Anchaur.
01:03 Good morning and welcome to Rise and Shine, Philippines.
01:06 Good morning.
01:08 Alright.
01:09 Good morning to our viewers on RISD.
01:12 Good morning to you.
01:14 We want to know how you started being a traditional tattoo artist
01:19 and what inspired you to continue this traditional art?
01:26 I was born and raised in Butbut tribe.
01:33 Butbut tribe is a familiar place because of Apuang Odd.
01:38 When we were kids, we grew up without seeing the tradition of tattooing,
01:43 which was a huge help for us to contribute to the traditional tattoo culture.
01:50 Because he was the last traditional tattoo artist in our area.
01:53 We learned from him.
01:57 In a way, he was the one who made the traditional tattoo that was passed down to his generation.
02:03 And of course, our development is about self-development.
02:08 We learn by experience.
02:11 And from the people we tattooed.
02:15 So, in our culture, tattooing is normal.
02:21 Way back before, it was just a game played by our grandparents.
02:28 So, their way of practicing is directly on the skin.
02:33 And out of 10 practitioners, only one will be a tattoo artist.
02:43 Because they also look at their work and their output.
02:48 If they can be tattooed or not.
02:51 And now, I'm just one of the younger generation of tattoo artists.
03:01 Because when tourism was booming,
03:04 or when the tattoo industry in Calinga was known,
03:07 specifically in Bukbuk tribe,
03:09 there were more young tattoo artists like me.
03:14 So, there are people in our mid-20s, like me,
03:20 there are even younger people, like me, who are 14,
03:24 and there are people in their 30s, and the oldest is Wang On.
03:29 Alright, can you share with us
03:31 what are the different types of tattoos in Igorot's culture?
03:35 And how do you maintain your work?
03:39 Back then, the process of tattooing was different.
03:49 Because back then, tattooing was more secretive.
03:52 Not all people can get a tattoo.
03:57 Especially men.
03:59 For men and women, there's a difference in the significance of tattooing.
04:05 For men, tattooing is their reward or their trophy.
04:12 It's the winner of a war.
04:15 Though we know that the tribal war was popular before
04:20 because it was their only way to protect their community.
04:25 So, once a warrior has won a battle,
04:30 he will be given a tattoo.
04:33 For women, it's normal for them to get a tattoo.
04:40 Because a tattoo symbolizes beauty, fertility, and healing.
04:49 So, that's the symbol of a tattoo when it comes to women.
04:54 That's why it's different for men and women.
04:57 So, for our generation,
05:00 though we don't fully practice the old way,
05:05 because they say that culture changes when time changes.
05:09 So, what we do is more on sharing the historical value of tattooing.
05:19 That's why they will return or get a tattoo.
05:25 Especially for outsiders, when it comes to men,
05:31 they don't have to go to war.
05:33 It's the same for the community.
05:35 It's part of our identity
05:41 so that we can help the history of tattooing.
05:45 Okay, we understand that the culture itself is really important,
05:51 especially to the tribe.
05:52 But we want to know,
05:54 why is it important to tattoo or to be tattooed?
05:58 Not just in the culture of your tribe,
06:00 but in the whole country because a lot of people come here.
06:04 Yes.
06:08 Actually,
06:10 we know that it's important to continue the tradition,
06:15 but this is a part of our culture that we need to revive.
06:21 Because we have a lot of potential patterns,
06:24 not just in Calinga,
06:26 but in the whole country of the Philippines.
06:30 From north to south,
06:35 we have our own patterns that symbolize our identity.
06:40 It's important to revive it
06:43 so that we can pinpoint
06:48 if our patterns are specifically for Visayas,
06:53 specifically for the north,
06:55 and of course, to distinguish
06:57 what is the difference and what is the importance.
07:02 Well, you're also known for your musical and film career.
07:06 How do you show your culture in this aspect?
07:11 When it comes to music,
07:20 I make my own music.
07:22 But I start with my own language
07:26 before I jump to English, Mandarin, or Tagalog.
07:30 Because it's also part of my advocacy
07:35 to promote culture when it comes to language.
07:40 Because in the Philippines,
07:42 or in the whole country, we have our own language
07:45 that we need to identify with.
07:48 Because it will be a part of our identity
07:51 as an indigenous people,
07:53 or whoever you are in the whole Philippines.
07:55 Because even in the indigenous community,
07:58 there are many sectors and differences
08:01 that we need to know
08:03 so that we can better understand
08:06 what it is like to be a Filipino.
08:07 Because being a Filipino is not just a Filipino.
08:12 But we have many deeper cultures
08:15 that are more specific in general.
08:18 Our conversation today was very deep and meaningful.
08:22 It's morning already.
08:23 Thank you so much for giving us your time this morning.
08:26 We are also eager to hear from you.
08:28 Thank you again. Take care.
08:30 Thank you.
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