THROUGHOUT the years, tattoo has evolved from a taboo to a trend.
Although some still fall to the misconception that tattoo is associated with convicts, to those who really understand the culture and meaning of it believe a different story.
Among those is Loy Kabigting, a prominent tattoo artist in Davao City who had been inking skin for the past 10 years.
"Hangtod dili pa musakit akoang likod, dili ko muundang og tattoo (As long as my back won’t hurt, I will never stop tattooing)," Kabigting said.
His devotion to inking came from his strong belief that tattoo is a way of art and a cultural heritage from the Filipinos’ ancestors who were then called painted people or "Pintados."
"Before pa niabot ang mga colonizers na sila Magellan, atoang mga ancestors kay naa na daan silay mga tattoo,” he said.
Before his name rose to prominence in the local scene, Kabigting has a past built of tenacity and determination.
"Nag-start lang ko’g tattoo gamit ang mga DIY (do-it-yourself) na machine tapos sige lang ko og practice," Kabigting, who said he mastered first the style of calligraphy for one year before proceeding to images.
Finally mastering the art, he started joining local tattoo competitions.
His first award was a second-runner up feat that was eventually followed with myriad of wins.
"Maka-overwhelm na kaila sila sa akoa as a tattoo artist kay nag pay off akoang paningkamot ug pinaghirapan," he said.
Kabigting's artistry in his craft started when he was young.
"Hilig nako daan mag drawing sauna kay dili man ko gina pagawas sa akoang mama kaya naga drawing nalang ko."
Getting monotonous on drawing in paper, he thought of doing his art on skin.
Now Kabigting already stopped joining competitions as he is now often invited as a judge.
He is also busy managing his own tattoo shop "WE ARE INK" located at Lopez Jaena Street fronting FG Davao-Flowers Gifts Delivery.
His shop has a rustic design that could make all his clients feel comfortable.
Kabigting now uses state of the art tattoo materials and highly practices hygienic procedures.
His specialty is the traditional black and gray piece but could still meet anyone’s standards in terms of colored designs.
Too many good tattoo artists are already crowding the city but it is safe to say that Kabigting is among the best.