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I was very moved by this video. It showed a lot of similarities between the way Polynesian/Hawaiian tattoo artists and Kalinga tattoo artists work. They had a very similar tool they used, but it appeared that the Polynesian/Hawaiian's tool was more intricate because there were many needles compared to the Kalinga's tool which only had one needle. It was touching to watch when spoke about the meaning behind their tattoos and how they both felt a deep connection with each other, knowing that they had a similar passion.
-Marifel Fuentecilla

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It was very cool to see the similarities in the tattoo styles, halfway across an ocean but still with connecting markers that show a common identity, some kind of link between worlds. The Polynesian Hawaiian tattoo artist who tears up when talking about the burden of carrying on the tradition as it disappears, shows how deeply identity is tied to cultural traditions that are passed on, and how the threat of losing them means a loss of identity, an extinction.

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It was very cool to see the similarities in the tattoo styles, halfway across an ocean but still with connecting markers that show a common identity, some kind of link between worlds. The Polynesian Hawaiian tattoo artist who tears up when talking about the burden of carrying on the tradition as it disappears, shows how deeply identity is tied to cultural traditions that are passed on, and how the threat of losing them means a loss of identity, an extinction.

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-Robin Lapid

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I first want to say that I thoroughly enjoyed watching this film because I had read a paper a few years ago that was on the Kalina Philippine tattoo artist and how far people travel to be tattooed by her. The connection between the two was not only evident in the style similarities but I believe the largest connection was demonstrated in the last few minutes of the film. When Keone was speaking about the connection he felt with Whang-ud by sharing this cultural practice, it was quite evident that their was a connection based on more than just the art. This connection is important because these are the ways that we preserve the past and take it into the future with us. I believe this connection came about much as language did when it was being developed from culture to culture. Everyone tells their version of a story or word and that is woven through to others stories and we build connections upon those ties.

-Pamela Villalobos

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First of all, that was a great video. Real interesting and not boring like any other history videos. The connection between the two cultures is the tapping technique they both use for tattooing. This connection is so important because Hawaiians and Filipinos are not the only ones doing it and it has such a great history and impact on the person that is tattooing. This tattoo method is so meaningful and has strong emotions towards the tattooer as the person getting a tattoo. There is a story behind each tattoo given. This connection became about over time and distance because of how diverse everywhere is now and people speak to new people everyday and learn something new. what the tattoos mean to both cultures is that it has meaning behind each of the tattoo. They do not do the tattoo for art or just to give it, for example like todays generation anyone can just get whatever tattoo they like and also in a different technique, therefore for the tattoos symbolizes meaning and has a story, which is really amazing. I am very pleased by what I learned.

-Mearilyn Turla-Wise

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There were several striking similarities between the Kalinga art of tattooing, and the Polynesian style of tattooing. One was the general aesthetic of both styles--black, geometric. Another was the conception of tattoos as a ceremonial act; the tattoos held meaning that went beyond the decorative, such as a fern for growth (in both cultures), and a particular design that would indicate, for example if someone had killed another person. The tools were also very similar--it was interesting to see them compared on video and to listen to the two artists remark at the differences in process and use. There was one tool in particular that was used very differently in both Kalinga and Polynesian styles. I am fairly sure both artists used charcoal for ink, but I'm not certain. I got a kick out of the fact that Whang Ud uses "lemon thorn" (I think it's a calamansi thorn, after brifly researching Kalinga online) to pierce the skin. My Filipino mother, upon hearing this, had a good chuckle--because she made a joke about her using calamansi thorns when I told her Whang Ud made a reference to using "lemon thorn" in the video.

I wondered if the connection originated with the Kalinga tradition (or some form of it, an ancient form) and spread to Polynesia, since The Philippines had been settled/occupied before the Polynesians made their way across the Pacific--it was probably a tradition that continued over thousands of miles of ocean. I suppose it's possible that it could have been the opposite as well.Many Filipinos have Polynesian blood/DNA; I recently did a DNA test through Ancestry and (it came out roughly 50/50 Asian/Caucasian) I had something like 20% Polynesian DNA. The rest of my Filipino side contained a mix of Thai/Cambodian, Chinese, Taiwanese, and Native Oceanian. It makes a lot of sense when reading about the theories of migration waves to and from the Philippines. I found the similarities in tattooing to be incredibly cool. Even though there have been generations and vast distances of ocean to contend with, this particular piece of culture shows that two distinct cultures have this really special ancestral connection which has not diverged from whatever it's origins were despite the passage of time and space.

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The connection between both tattooing cultures is the method of tattooing. They use the tapping method with hand made tools. Although, modern technology has brought about "easier" tattooing tools these individuals continue the tradition of hand tattooing. Both cultures also have specific meanings to the different designs. The connection of the method of tattooing and having symbolic tattoos show how traditions can be passed down and maintain sacred to the culture. Both tattoo artists show that the meaning behind each tattoo is important because it tells a story, it shows someones history. I think this connection has came about because both Polynesian islands and the Philippines have been effected by Colonist and tattoos have allowed them preserve their history. Tattoos are more than just body art to them but they are walking history books to keep their culture alive. As someone of Polynesian descent I have held tattooing sacred- someone does not just go out and get a tattoo for fun but they receive a tattoo as a right of passage - Victoria Kupu

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Nice observation Charilyn. Tatoo ing (batok) is almost a lost art. Once the tatoo-er dies, all that wisdom goes away.  The challenge is how to pass it on. (BTW-the researcher of Whang ud is a friend of mine)

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Nice observation Charilyn. Tatoo ing (batok) is almost a lost art. Once the tatoo-er dies, all that wisdom goes away.  The challenge is how to pass it on. (BTW-the researcher of Whang ud is a friend of mine)

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In both of these cultures hand tattooing also known as tapping is connected through deep rooted tradition that do not change and is passed down from generation to generation; even with advances in modern technology. This connection is important because there are only a few tattoo artists that still use the tapping technique. In this video these two artists know that there are others in the world carrying on the tradition. I think the connection came about over time because before advances in technology with tattoo machines these cultures had to find ways to tattoo, so they used what was available to them. In both cultures, tattoos are used to tell a story, to symbolize meaning or to represent an event in a person’s life. For example, when Whang-ud tattooed the first man, she gave him a geometric design because he has never killed anyone. When she tattooed the second man, he received a fern which in both cultures represent growth. All in all, both cultures see this is an important tradition that should be held on to and passed down.

-Charilyn Quarto