Up the Mountains we go... (The Buscalan, Kalinga Experience)

It is really nice to get away and unwind from the hustle and bustle of city life, even if it's only for one day.  After seeing a documentary about Apo Whang Od, my friend and I decided to visit her and have our first tattoo. I have always wanted to get a tattoo but scared of what the outcome will be.  So we decided to take a trip to Buscalan, Kalinga.

Going to Buscalan Village is really tough and pretty much "buwis-buhay".  I can no longer recall how long was the trip going there.

 The safest way of going up the village is by foot. The hike begins with a dirt road wide enough for a jeepney which turns into a cemented footpath comprised of moss-covered inclines and very steep staircases. Regardless of the difficulty, the trail unveiled astonishing view that got my mind off the pain that we endured. (Mind you, I'm an Acrophobic so looking down the path we took was such an accomplishment for me.)

If conventional tattoo uses electric-powdered machines, the traditional tattoo artist is called a Mambabatok which utilizes a pair of bamboo sticks, while those skin-piercing needle are replaced with a cingle citrus thorn.  Those permanent markings came from pine soot instead of regular tattoo ink.  These tools in the hands of the Mambabatok equipped with an exquisite backhand tattooing technique are the key elements to the thousand-year old cultural practice called "Batok."

My parents didn't know that I'm going to have a tattoo. 

 I was having second-thoughts about getting a tattoo. Seeing the process and the blood coming out of the skin of the others made me nauseous and nervous at the same time.  I don't know if I could handle the pain and seeing my own blood.  But of course, sayang naman if I will just let the chance pass.

Back then, these skin-deep markings symbolize rank, power and respect among warriors.  Some tattoos were even believed to protect the individuals from evil spirits which may cause them sickness.  For females, lasses were transformed to lovely ladies through tattoos which merely served as ornaments that beautifies these women.  These are like modern day bracelets, earrings and necklaces for us, but of course, those tattoos are irremovable.  The art of tattooing has played a major role in the culture and tradition, not only to the people in Kalinga, but also the many people of the Cordillera region.

I can no longer bear the pain so I asked Emily (one of Apo's granddaughter, I believe) to stop. I was so scared that I told her it's okay not to have it so inked since I really have some skin problems and I'm not sure how long it will take for it to heal.

My oh-my. It really looks painful though. (It took me two weeks for it to be completely healed.) 

The sumptuous breakfast we had the next morning before heading home.

  

                  

 Just being able to see Apo Whang Od is an accomplishment for me. 

I got chills just by looking down the trail.  But it's easier now that we're going home. 

A week after getting the tattoo.

The first question I got from the people I know is "Did it hurt?". Yes, for me it hurts.  But maybe the pain is just psychologically because for sure, machine tattoo hurts more than this.