The One Where Ryan Gets a Batok Tattoo

Listen in as Ryan gets a batok tattoo, hand-tapped by by Mayo of Birthmark Tattoos. Mayo recalls how he journeyed into the mountains to meet legendary Apo Whang-Od, the last mambabatok of Kalinga and oldest living tattoo artist at 107 years old. He got her blessing to continue the tradition, and even tattooed her...twice!

For Ryan, the process is what makes the tattoo so meaningful. He told Kuya Mayo about where his parents come from in Pampanga, how his dad played in the Pampanga river and his mom played in the rice fields. Then Mayo designed a unique tattoo by hand on the spot to represent Ryan’s story.

This episode was recorded at the 2024 Edmonton Filipino Fiesta.