Where I’m From
June 15, 2009 by Ma. Cassanova · Leave a Comment
Robbie (MPLS, MN)
Where I’m From by Tom Alvarado of Steady Tattoo
“Sun and Stars. Plain and Simple.”
For those who are not aware, did you know that the Philippine Flag may not be used as a tablecloth, as a covering for objects, as part of motor vehicles, as trademarks or label design, or as part of a costume or uniform? And that failing to do so will lead you to one year imprisonment with five to twenty thousand pesos fine? Well, it is just the Philippine Flag Law Section 34 who’s reminding us. Actually, the list goes on but we don’t want you to bombard with it.
Having said this, are you still thinking of getting inked with our very own three stars and the sun? Don’t be afraid that someone may arrest you for having a tattoo of what could be a resemblance to our very own flag. As long as you can justify the design and why you’ve chosen it, stand up and be proud.
I am Fil-Am
June 5, 2009 by Ma. Cassanova · 1 Comment
Francis E. (San Diego, CA)
Culture, Born, and Raised by Tiger Jimmy’s Tattoo
According to statistics, a massive number of 46,000 Filipino Americans (Fil-Am) within a community is located in the county of San Diego making it second to top of the places in the United States which constitutes the most number of Fil-Am. But how did the migration of these Asian Americans started? Let’s do a short recap.
The first wave of migration started way back 1973 when some Filipino seamen who were part of the Galleon Trade and located in Acapulco crossed the Gulf of Mexico to a bay in Louisiana called Barataria. These Manilamen started the establishment of a number of villages in America.
Mass migration occurred at the beginning of the 20th century when demand for laborers in Hawaii and California increased and when the US Navy recruitment started
Aside from SD, Filipino-Americans are most distinctly visible in the states of Hawaii, Washington, New York and New Jersey.
Sun Tattoo
June 1, 2009 by Ma. Cassanova · Leave a Comment
Greg Moscoso (Rancho Santa Margarita)
Sun Tattoo by White Lotus Tattoo
We really can’t get enough of the three stars and the sun. Here are more FYI-must-read about flags, flags, and more flags.
The Philippine flag has been known worldwide as the only flag that is displayed upside-down when the country is in war being the color red on top and the blue at the bottom.
It isn’t only the human being who underwent an evolution, the Pinoy flag did as well. The first flag designed by Andres Bonifacio was called the Bonifacio flag. Then came the Katipunan flag, Llanera’s flag, Pio del Pilar’s flag, and the Magdiwang flag. When finally, then President Manuel L. Quezon standardized the PH flag’s appearance through an executive order in March 25, 1936.
The floors of Aguinaldo Shrine is made up of jigsaw-puzzled flags. The 2003 Oakwood Mutineers wore the Magdalo flag, one of the earlier versions of the recent flag, as an armband.
Stay tuned for more.
Filipino Sun and Writing
May 27, 2009 by Ma. Cassanova · Leave a Comment
Kris Hampton (Warrington, England)
Filipino Sun and Writing by Voodoo Tattoo in UK
“My modified Filipino sun tattoo with a star in the middle. The writing below was done before the sun tattoo, it says ‘magsama-sama at malakas, magwatak-watak at babagsak’ meaning – united we are strong, divided we fall. I got this because I want it to show I am proud of my English and Filipino heritage.”
Filipino British (Filipino Britons) population is the second-largest Filipino community in Europe but it isn’t as cohesive as other communities in other countries.
Having said that, “united we stand, divided we fall” can’t be applied to Philippine’s current social status as it is strongly diverse in all aspects. Unending political wars, social aggravations, massive poverty with seemingly no solution and whatnot. We really can’t be united if we don’t know how to be one. Reality bites.
Nevertheless, there’s still the bright side. Fil-Brits are unstoppable from making names, which is something we all should be proud of. We have ex-Sugababes member Mutya Buena, TV personality and beauty queen Leilani Dowding, and young Britain’s Got Talent contestant Charlie Green to name some.
Hometown QC
May 22, 2009 by Ma. Cassanova · Leave a Comment
Arjay (Fullerton, CA)
Hometown QC by Big J
A three-letter tattoo on your tummy is pain, getting it covered with ink is #*%^+$~&.
Quezon City or QC, which used to be the capital from 1948 to 1976, is the country’s melting pot. People from different provinces migrate to this location every year hence it is the most populous city in the Philippines. It shouldn’t be confused with Quezon Province, though both were named after the late President Manuel Quezon.
QC is tagged as “the city of new horizons” due to its low level of poverty and illiteracy and its rich culture and lifestyle. Many government offices are located in the city being the former capital. Media moguls ABS-CBN and GMA 7 along with most of the broadcasting networks are also based in QC.
Stating all of these, there are still lots of interesting stuff we can learn about Quezon City.
