The Legend of

the Kalinga Tribal Tattoos

by: Ejay D. Villaver
 DELEGATION OF TASKS:
NINO STEFFAN PACANA-STOP MOTION ANIMATOR
EJAY D. VILLAVER-SCRIPWRITER
IVAN TANTIADO-PHOTOGRAPHER
NINA RECA TRAZO–NARRATOR
EARL JOHN PINGOL-EDITOR
KARL JAMES BACOMA
MARBE ANGEL SOCO
KEVIN ONDEVILLA
SCREEN. Shows the map of the Philippines then ZOOMED IN to
Northern Luzon.
NARRATOR:
1,000 meters up in the mountain range
of Northern Luzon.

SCREEN. Aerial shot of the Region of CAR.

NARRATOR:
Situated within the Cordillera
Administrative Region,

SCREEN. Aerial shot of Buscalan Kalinga.

NARRATOR:
lies the small village of Buscalan
Kalinga.
SCREEN. <Montage>
-Foreigners/Vloggers visiting Kalinga.
-Kalinga Tattoos
NARRATOR:
Known for its mysterious tribe in
the Cordillera valley and their
extremely unique type of skin art.
SCREEN. <Montage>
-Whang Od tattooing someone
NARRATOR:
Despite her advanced age, Whang-od is
still a remarkable tattoo artist who
draws attention from tourist and tattoo
lovers from all over the world.

SCREEN. Shows a collection of Kalinga Tattoo.

NARRATOR:
Today, Kalinga tattoos are no longer
made strictly according to their
tradition, clients are free to choose
their own designs and location on their
body.

-START OF STOP MOTION ANIMATION-

SCREEN. A tribe of Kalinga people wearing their traditional
attire.
NARRATOR:
However, a long time ago, these tattoos
were deep in meaning and culture.

SCREEN. Two tribes about to fight each other. Kalinga tribe

doing their victory dance.
NARRATOR:
In the past, Kalinga tattoos were only
given after a war and victory.

SCREEN. <Montage>
-Rice Terraces
-Water resources surrounding the terraces

NARRATOR:
The Kalinga People - living in a
beautiful area of rice terraces and
the white water rapids of the Chico
River - are known for their strong sense
of tribal awareness.

SCREEN: Kalinga worshipping.

NARRATOR:
The history of the Kalinga tribal tattoos
is related to faith and the influence of
the natural environment.

SCREEN. Kalinga tribe picture ZOOMS IN to a little girl. After a

while, ink starts to show on her skin.

NARRATOR:
According to Whang Od, it’s a Kalinga
custom to wear ink on their bodies, and
has been for generations.

SCREEN. A person is shown. Tattoos will appear as the narrator

states which part.
 NARRATOR:
Traditionally the Kalinga get their
tattooed on their arms, chest, the
upper back, and the upper thighs.

SCREEN. A coconut bowl appears. Water and charcoal will be mixed

inside. A green and pointy thorn from a calamansi plant will be
attached to the end of the bamboo stick.

NARRATOR:
Whang-Od’s hand tapping kit consists
of a coconut bowl to mix the pigment
of charcoal and water, a citrus thorn
needle attached to a small bamboo stick,
and another short stick which is used to
tap the thorn into the skin.

SCREEN. Trees and plants are swaying in the wind.

NARRATOR:
Most of the tattoo designs are formed
by simple lines which have been inspired by
nature.

SCREEN. Ink from an arm will be visible.

NARRATOR:
The arms are often marked with snake
scales which symbolize the protection
of one’s life and security.

SCREEN. A tattoo from the back will appear.

NARRATOR:
The centipede is believed to be a powerful
spiritual guide and a friend of the warrior.

SCREEN. Ink from an arm will be visible.

 NARRATOR:
In addition to these naturally inspired
patterns other Kalinga designs feature wavy
line motifs representing stairs or steps.

SCREEN. Ink from the upper chest will be visible.

NARRATOR:
The upper chest area is traditionally
tattooed with the type of patterns found
on woven blankets and skirts, mixed with
the silhouette of mountains.

SCREEN. Kalinga warriors are hunting on their property.

NARRATOR:
Before, people from Kalinga province were
headhunters.

SCREEN. When suddenly a new tribe arrived. At the sight of this

unknown tribe the Kalinga got ready for battle.

NARRATOR:
Some tribes want to get more land, thus
creating tribal war.

SCREEN. A Kalinga man who is standing proudly with the enemy’s

head on his spear.
NARRATOR:
For the gentlemen, They have to earn
their tattoo, by returning to their tribe
with their enemies’ heads.

SCREEN. A group of men one-by-one appears who stood proudly

behind him.
NARRATOR:
Thus a tattoo for men is like honor or a
status symbol that they are a in fact a
warrior or maingors.

SCREEN. A group of teenage girls. ZOOM IN individually.

 NARRATOR:
In the past, when Kalinga Women have gone
through puberty, they marked themselves
with tattoos to cover their unclothed bodies
and to symbolize feminine beauty, wealth
stature and fortitude.

SCREEN. Women cooking a roasted pig.

NARRATOR:
This victory is celebrated by butchering
a pig…

SCREEN. A dark background with only their campfire giving them

visibility. The men dance with their gong and women dancing like
an eagle around the fire.
NARRATOR:
and the Kalinga dance: where men dance
with a gong and the ladies dance like
eagles while wearing their traditional clothes,
tapis.
SCREEN. A group of Kalinga individuals sit around the fire
playing their musical instruemnts.

NARRATOR:
The slow rhythm of traditional Kalinga
music synchronises well with the relaxed
life-style of the people in this village.
The villagers often sit around the campfire
to keep themselves warm at night as they
enjoy their tribal music.

SCREEN. The instruments appear when narrated.

NARRATOR:
Some of their musical instruments include
Tonagtong, Patangguk, Pateteg, Bungkaka,
Saggeypo, Gangsa, Tongali, Paldong, Ulibaw,
and Kullitong.

SCREEN. Shows Cordillera Weave.

 NARRATOR:
But wait, that’s not the only thing this
Region has to offer. Cordillera is also known
for their Weaves…

-END OF STOP MOTION ANIMATION-

SCREEN. MONTAGE of the following dances:

NARRATOR:
And Banga, Bendayan, Lumagen/Tachock,
Lumagen, Manmok, and Gaddang.

INT. HOUSE – DAY

SOCO:
Traditions represent a critical piece of
our culture. They remind us that we are a
part of a history that defines our past,
shapes who we are today and who we are
likely to become.

ONDEVILLA:
Many people fail to realize how arts impacts
our daily life. But what they don’t know is
our life is surrounded by art, and without
it, the human race will not be as you know
it.
BACOMA:
In the Cordillera Administrative Region,
their traditions and practices are far from
being forgotten. That’s because Kalinga
people maintain these traditions. They believe
it brings them meaning and help them bond with
their ancestors. Thus, Cordillera Art is simple
yet powerful.

SCREEN. TURNS TO BLACK and Shows the text:

“If we are to preserve art, we must continue to create it”
-Johan Huizinga
<THE END>
REFERENCES:
 https://theculturetrip.com/asia/philippines/articles/meet-
apo-whang-od-the-last-hand-poke-tattoo-artist-in-the-
philippines/
 http://followyouroad.com/kalinga-tattoo/
 https://www.worldaffairs.org/component/events/event/1139#.X
2WSx2gzbIV
 https://www.anothermag.com/art-photography/10962/the-last-
tattooed-women-of-the-philippines-kalinga-
tribe#:~:text=The%20province%20of%20Kalinga%20is,in%20the%2
0Phillippines'%20Cordillera%20mountains.&text=For%20the%20m
en%20of%20the,symbolise%20maturity%2C%20fertility%20and%20b
eauty.
 http://musikocordillera.weebly.com/musical-instruments.html