05/03/2026
"My Pandemic Tattoo Story"
It all started at the end of 2019. I was filled with excitement and determination to pursue tattooing, especially after receiving the approval of my beloved mother. With that blessing in my heart, I bought a cheap full set of tattoo equipment just to begin the journey.
Then the pandemic came. The world went into lockdown, but in a strange way, it gave me something priceless time. I suddenly had all the time in the world to practice.
I never had the chance to practice on fake skin because, surprisingly, real skin was freely and willingly offered. My neighbors volunteered to be tattooed by me, even though I had absolutely zero experience at the time. I knew how to draw, but tattooing is a completely different craft compared to drawing on a flat canvas.
On the side note, around 98% of the tattoos in these photos were done free of charge. They weren’t perfect, but they were real. And through every line I made, I gained lessons, experience, and realizations that no amount of money could ever buy.
Looking back now, those moments were not just practice they were the very foundation of my journey.
But let me segue the story for a moment.
During that period, many things happened that slowly made me forget the burning passion I once had for tattooing. Aside from the fact that I was not earning any profit from it, the pressure of the pandemic and the uncertainty of having no stable source of income weighed heavily on me.
However, the most painful and unfortunate event of all was my mother’s illness. Her battle with cancer grew worse as time passed, until it eventually led to her departure from this world.
In the midst of grief, responsibilities, and the harsh realities of life, the passion that once burned brightly within me slowly faded into silence.
Now it is 2026; just another ordinary year. But at the beginning of this year, something strange kept happening. I often dreamed about my mom. In those dreams, she seemed happy. We never had a clear conversation, but simply seeing her brought a quiet feeling to my heart.
Then one day, without any clear reason or connection, a sudden thought flashed into my mind: “What if I start tattooing again?” At first, I ignored it, thinking it was just another random idea passing through my mind.
But while scrolling through social media one day, I came across a Filipino tattoo artist and vlogger with a very interesting personality. He shared inspiring lessons and tutorials about tattooing. As I watched his videos, something inside me awakened.
The burning passion I once had began to spread throughout my entire being. It felt like an ancient torch that had been hidden for millions of years, covered in thick webs of dust and silence. Then suddenly, with just a small touch of sunlight, it ignited again, bursting into a raging fire.
And maybe… that spark was never random at all.
Maybe it was a quiet reminder from someone who once believed in me the most.
So every time I hold the tattoo machine now, I carry not only a dream but also the memory of my mother’s faith in me, guiding my hands and lighting the path I almost forgot.
