Body Modifications: Whether it’s tattooing, piercings, branding, scarification, surgical implants, and a number of lesser-known procedures and practices are bound to receive unnecessary feedback. Some may see it as an art form, while others do not.
Here in the Philippines, those who modify their bodies get typecast either as a gang/fraternity member or recognized as a person who is into substances. In most workplaces, as people apply for a job, the moment they realize that they have tattoos or piercings, they will immediately dismiss you from the workplace. When they are on public transportation most of them stare and judge them, worried about whether or not they are not safe or something unfortunate may happen along the way.
What people have not been able to recognize is that not all types of body modification originated at the same time. While some practices have been around for thousands of years, others have just begun to gain popularity. The art of body modification has a long history and the art is unlikely to fade away anytime soon. Modifications such as piercings and tattoos are becoming more mainstream and acceptable every day, and the artists who perform these modifications are constantly learning new techniques and becoming more skilled at their craft. Body modification artists are continually working on new modifications that can range greatly from simple and mainstream ideas to extreme and sometimes taboo, much like tattoos and piercings were on multiple occasions throughout history.
Whang-od Oggay, also known as Maria Oggay, is a Filipina tattoo artist from Buscalan, Tinglayan, Kalinga, Philippines. She is the "last" and oldest mambabatok and is part of the Butbut people of the larger Kalinga ethnic group. She is a well-known figure in the tattoo industry to the point that she receives clients from all around the world.
For decades, Whang Od has kept the traditions of the Butbut tribe alive by tattooing with thorns, charcoal, and a small bamboo hammer. Those who want to get their tattoo, Whang Od can either select the design and placement of the tattoo, as is traditional in Kalinga culture, as they are to accompany her for a certain number of days before she determines the design, or the receiver can choose it themselves from a board of designs in the village.
Tattoos on people’s bodies can change a person’s understanding. Still, they have their reason for doing so, with some for minor reasons such as aestheticism and fashion to more personal reasons that give a deeper meaning. Whether they do it for the art, others do it to serve as a reminder of a memory or experience they do not want to forget, some do it to form or establish an identity, and others put modifications to represent a part of their lives. Tattoos and modifications represent a different side of art that many tend to have a misconception of. If allowed to talk to the very people they misunderstood, they would soon realize the truth behind their decisions.
With the evolution of society nowadays having 4 tattoos or multiple piercings is now slowly being accepted. This is also applicable to surgical alterations - which are easily accustomed to due to the standards of the beauty industry nowadays.
Filipinos tend to be more lenient with the particular art form except for branding and scarification. The lack of highly skilled professionals in the field is a significant reason why it is not being executed as much. If they were to, it would be a game changer although it would take them several years in training to pull it off.
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