It’s no surprise that tattoos are becoming more and more popular these days. Body art is beautiful. SPOT.ph lists 10 tattoo parlors that have stringent sanitation practices, boast of state-of-the-art equipment, as well as given the thumbs up by the Department of Health and tattoo aficionados.
1. TATTOO BY GENE TESTA
Address: 3/F Bodysenses, Robinson’s Galleria, Ortigas, Pasig City
Contact number: 0917-4135626
Operating hours: Mondays to Sundays, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Price range: Starts at P1,500
Inks used: Kuro Sumi, Vivid Colors, Screen Ink
Star artist: Gene Testa
Sanitation practices: Disposable needles
Accreditation: DOH certified
While the mall may not be an ideal place for a tattoo parlor–what with the cluttered shops and frantic crowd–tattoo artist Gene Testa has been comfortable in one. He should be, since he’s been in the same location for more than a decade. His modest space does not scream “tattoo” at all. If not for the countless photos of customers that adorn the façade of the shop, one could easily mistake the place for a dentist’s or dermatologist’s clinic. Testa, who has been a tattoo artist for 20 years, takes his art seriously. Aside from tattoos, they also offer tattoo reconstruction, tattoo removal, as well as henna tattoos for those who aren’t fan of the pain.
2. P & P TATTOO
Address: 45 Polaris Street, Makati City
Contact number: 890-8037
Operating hours: Mondays (12 p.m. to 8 p.m.), Tuesdays to Saturdays (12 p.m. to 10 p.m.), Sundays (2 p.m. to 9 p.m.)
Price range: Starts at P2,000
Inks used: Starbrite Colors
Star artists: Myke Sambajon, Max Tandoy, Ronian Poe, Jake Cuerpo, and Pablo Tobias
Sanitation practices: All products are brand new, sterilized and imported from the U.S. including soap which are shipped gallons at a time.
Accreditation: DOH certified
P&P Tattoo ups the notch in tattooing as it introduces fresh takes on an art that’s often associated with seedy districts and shady individuals. In fact, the shop is anything but seedy or shady. Structured like a lounge, it has a flatscreen TV, a wide selection of DVDs, and a video game console that keep customers busy while they’re waiting or getting inked up. Their artists are all big names in the Philippine tattoo scene and are members of the Philippine Tattoo Artists Guild (PHILTAG). The shop displays the countless first place awards in various tattoo categories that the group has garnered through the years, in both the local and international scene. Because of the artists’ broad expertise and experience, they have also been chosen to judge in competitions. P&P does tattoo cover-ups or reconstruction, body piercing and dreadlocks. They also sell P& P merchandise like T-shirts and body jewelry.
3. TATTOO AT JOE’S
Address: 28 J. Elizalde St., BF Homes, Sucat, Paranaque City
Contact number: 0916-5786493
Price range: Starts at P2,000
Inks used: Imported pigments from the U.S.
Star artist: Joe Saliendra
Sanitation practices: Autoclave sterilization, disposable needles, ink caps, gloves, etc.
Accreditation: DOH certified, one of the founders of the Philippine Tattoo Artists Guild
Tattoo at Joe’s, which specializes in Oriental tattoos, is the premiere tattoo spot in the south. The award-winning Saliendra, who is one of the founding members of PHILTAG, is known for his keen attention to intricate details. His costumers are in awe of his ability to execute their body art ideas.
4. DYUNTATS
Address: 27 Naguilian St., New Haven Village, Quezon City
Contact number: 0928-5029159
Operating hours: Mondays to Saturdays, 10 a.m. onwards
Price range: Starts at P1,000 for black and gray and P1,500 for colored
Inks used: Kuro Sumi, Talens, Dynamic, Starbrite Colors, MOM’s Colors, Eternal Colors
Star artist: Dyun Depasupil
Sanitation practices: Manual and ultrasonic cleaning, Cidex solution disinfection, and autoclave sterilization
Accreditation: DOH certified
If you like the idea of getting inked up but don’t like the idea of excruciating pain, then Dyuntats, which specializes in art nouveau and intricate designs, may be the ideal place to go to. Regarded by his customers as a tattoo artist with a “soft touch,” Depasupil has honed the craft of elaborate designs. He is also part of 55 Tinta’s roster of tattoo artists.
5. REPUBLIC TATTOO
Address: 2/F Promenade Building, 198 Wilson corner P. Guevarra St., San Juan City
Contact number: 0920-9106863
Price range: Starts at P2,000.00 for a 2″ x 2″ piece
Inks used: Kuro Sumi, Intenze, and Starbrite Colors
Specialties: Each artist has his own specialty (i.e. Oriental, Traditional Japanese, Tribal, Traditional Western, and so on)
Sanitation practices: Ultrasonic cleaners, dry heat sterilizers, autoclave machines, disposable needles, ink cups, gloves and the like
Accreditation: DOH certified
Republic Tattoo is the “youngest” tattoo parlor of the bunch, having opened just last April 7. It’s a high-end tattoo shop that doubles up as a lounge. The swanky interior of the place may be off-putting to tattoo purists, but Republic Tattoo is more than just a pretty face. All the glamor aside, Republic Tattoo still keeps its real by housing a roster of artists that have reaped awards from numerous competitions. Award-wining tattoo artists Joe Saliendra, Butch Bautista, Ding Fernandez, and Butch Rosca provide the experience and vision while using only top-of-the-line equipment and inks. The shop also features a bar.
6. URAGON
Address: 1412 A. Mabini St., Ermita, Manila
Contact numbers: 0905-8025953 or 0906-1802536
Price range: Starts at Php1,000 for a 2″ x 2″ piece
Star artist: Alex Rodolfo
Accreditation: DOH certified, Remedios Aids Foundation accredited
Originally a henna tattoo artist and face painter, Rodolfo transitioned into permanent tattoos armed only with his talent. Uragon has developed a strong base of customers for the portraits and black and gray tattoos that Rodolfo is known for.
7. Tattoo by Edwin Miraflores
Address: Unit 213 Dona Anita Bldg. E. Rodriguez Sr. Ave., Quezon City
Contact numbers: 0920-4129799
Operating hours: Mondays to Saturdays (1 p.m. to 8 p.m.), Sundays (by appointment)
Price range: Starts at P1,000
Inks used: Intenz, Starbrite, and Dynamic Colors
Star artist: Edwin Miraflores
Sanitation practices: Autoclave sterilization
Accreditation: DOH certified
If portrait tattoos are the preference, then this is one of the places you can go to. Shop owner Miraflores is not only the ideal choice for first timers because of his warm and pleasant demeanor; he has the chops to back it up. A member of PHILTAG for 14 years, Miraflores has won numerous awards here and abroad. He is also the current vice president of PHILTAG.
8. SKINWORKZ
Address: Pasilyo D-19 Cartimar Arcade, Pasay City; 51-B, Stall No. 2, Timog Avenue, South Triangle, Quezon City; Tribal Ink, 3rd Level SM Annex, North Edsa, Quezon City
Contact number: 0905-2222012
Star artist: Ricky Sta. Ana
Accreditation: DOH certified
Sta. Ana is one of the biggest names in the Philippine tattoo scene. Originally setting up shop at Cartimar in 1990, he has since branched out into two more locations: one in Timog Avenue and another at SM North Edsa. He started to make a name in the industry back in the early 90s, when he tattooed the late English tattooist Ron Ackers. The piece, a portrait of Jesus Christ, earned Sta. Ana his first international award. He is currently the president of PHILTAG.
9. MORBID TATTOO
Address: Cash and Carry Mall, Brgy Palanan, Makati City
Contact numbers: 986-3804 or 0905-3136545
Operating hours: Mondays to Sundays, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Price range: Depends on the design
Inks used: Intenz and Kuro Sumi
Star artist: Luigi Mercado
Sanitation practices: Autoclave sterilization, ultrasonic cleaner, ultraviolet sterilizer
Accreditation: DOH certified, Remedios Aids Foundation accredited
Run by PHILTAG member Mercado, the place has a cozy, no-nonsense ambiance that appeals to hardcore tattoo fans. Mercado is known for his intricate designs and has garnered numerous awards throughout his career as an artist. He is also an honorary member of the Canadian Tattoo Artist Association.
10. 55 TINTA
Address: 55 Maginhawa St., UP Village, Diliman, Quezon City
Contact number: 0917-4120000
Operating hours: Mondays to Sundays, 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Price range: Starts at P1,000
Inks: All artists have their own set of ink, but the shop has plenty of inks with a wide range of colors such as Kuro Sumi, Dynamic, Mom’s, Starbrite and Intenze Colors.
Star artists: Dyun Depasupil, Jonathan Sanchez, Shellby Reyes, Mia Claravall-Reyes, Alain Mamon, Marlon Lorenzana, Chris Porth
Sanitation: Disposable needles, autoclave sterilization, UV sterilizer, disposable gloves and tongue depressors
Accreditation: DOH certified
55 Tinta’s appeal is its artistic authenticity. It is the brainchild of Jay Contreras, Led Zeppelin Tuyay and Puto Astete and Paolo Bernaldo. If those names seem familiar, that’s because all four are icons in the Pinoy music scene. Contreras, Tuyay, and Astete are members of the band Kamikazee, while Bernardo (also the owner of nearby hotspot Tomato Kick) plays bass for Moonstar 88. Keeping 55 Tinta, spic and span, meanwhile, are Ron Riofrio and Emboy Falcon. Collectively, these artists envisioned a tattoo shop where customers can simply hang out and keep the vibe of Maginhawa Street alive. The tattoo artists at 55 Tinta are as illustrious as its celebrated owners, exuding a sense of creativity that seems to pulsate in the area. With seven artists under its roster, 55 Tinta boasts a wide range of style wherein every artist is given the chance to showcase their respective specialty. Despite the star power, 55 Tinta still holds the distinction of being one of the most affordable places to get inked.
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