Run by two of the most talented artists I know, Ryan and Minnehaha Calleja, Good Hand Tattoo is the…read moreparlor that I go to if I need someone that I can trust to do a piece on me. Artists to the core, Ryan and Minnie are free spirits who found each other at the School of Fine Arts in UST. So you know that these two are not amateurs or wannabes; they were born to do what they do, and they've had the training to back it up. I'd always liked Minnie's style and rendering (feminine, but strong and rich), so immediately we agreed on a traditional pin-up mermaid and galleon piece, on my back. She was attentive to what I wanted, but at the same time, gave her professional artistic opinion on how it might look, so although it really was her art, it felt like a collaboration between me and her. She drew it out, free-hand and fresh, right in front of my eyes, on a sheet of paper. It took a while, but I loved what I saw. She stencilled it out, and began outlining. It took us two sessions, and a total of 7 hours to complete the whole thing. It hurt like a b****, but Minnie was very comforting and gentle the whole time. I've tried other artists before, but Minnie did my last one, and it looks like she's going to be doing a lot more of my tattoos in the future.

I got several tattoos by artist Jan Fresco. I can't recommend him enough. The shop itself is a…read moregreat low key place to get inked. I felt very comfortable there especially being a foreigner. Jan was very professional and helped me feel comfortable throughout the whole process. He is a very talented artist and does all his tattoos free hand. I'm very happy with the end product. Thank you Jan for such a great experience. Next time I'm in the Philippines I will be back. Cheers!

It was very easy to reach out and set up an appointment ahead of time. They followed up a few days…read morebefore and once I got there they were very welcoming. The whole process was smooth and everything was clean and sterile. It was great being able to learn more about the culture and my heritage. We decided on the patterns and they worked on it right away. The line work was really good and I'm really happy with how it turned out

I spend a lot of time in Manila due to work and I love the culture. A friend introduced me to…read morethese amazingly talented and caring people. It was an easy process to tell them my vision and they make it the art. The place was clean and I had zero concerns on the quality of work! It healed so nicely and I intend to go back for more! Jean and Jonathan are amazing artist and really nice people.

I stumbled across this shop while visiting Manila on business, and I'm incredibly glad I did. The…read moreartist is truly phenomenal. His ability to take my vision and bring it to life exceeded every expectation I had. Beyond his talent, he wasn't afraid to collaborate, offer creative ideas, and go above and beyond to make sure every piece was exactly what I envisioned. The customer service from Angel and the entire staff was second to none. From the moment I walked in, they made me feel like family. In fact, I enjoyed being there so much that I spent the majority of my free time in Manila at the shop. Across two visits, I ended up getting nearly 10 pieces--that alone speaks to the level of trust and confidence I had in their work. If you're looking for exceptional artistry, fair pricing, and an atmosphere that genuinely feels like home, I can't recommend this shop enough. They didn't just give me great tattoos--they gave me an unforgettable experience. P.s A few of these are cover ups but you could never tell.

I came to Workaholinkz for tattoos while visiting the PI. I had booked my appointment through…read moreemails before I even arrived. Communication through email with Angel was easy and super responsive! Ricson's work is quality and his personality is welcoming and honest. I am super happy with the results. The shop was clean and felt very "home comfort" decorated in custom art and figurines. I loved my experience so much that I referred my husband and my little brother to get tattooed there too! I would come back again and again. If you need tattooing in the PI, Workaholinkz is THE choice!!

I got my first tattoo three months ago…read more It was a dare. Really. I mean, I've always wanted to have a tattoo, but I was always afraid of the pain. And the needles. And the blood. My friend and I first went to the place on a Saturday morning. We knocked and waited for someone to open the door. Some guy then told us that we would have to set an appointment if we wanted our tattoos done in the morning. It was Monday and our appointment was set. I was panicking and needed to calm my nerves. The tattoo artist, Marlon Capuno, was still on his way to the shop. So while my friend was busy talking to some guy who was drawing our tattoos, I went out to have a smoke. Thirty minutes later, my friend told me it was time to get inked. I noticed right away that the place was clean. Marlon wore gloves and showed me the new needles he was going to use. He was very professional and confident,but didn't brag about those he inked before. Getting the tattoo wasn't that painful. I only got a small star. Marlon reminded me to keep breathing and not to panic. My friend got her tattoo and almost passed out from the pain. Marlon had her lie down for a few minutes. I guess there's nothing these tattoo artists can do to ease the pain. You just gotta toughen up. Am I going back for more? Of course. And I'm getting a bigger one. And yes, I'll still have Marlon ink me.

I got my tattoo done at Vice Tattoo on Jan/20/18. A little background, I got a tattoo of a cobra…read morewith "SWIFT*DEADLY" above it when I was young and in the US Marines, seemed like a good idea at the time. 5 years later I am thinking that I don't want that on my arm anymore, 15 years after that I had a red line put through it and had "SLOW*SARCASTIC" tattooed about it. Funny change but looked stupid so started thinking about a cover up tattoo. I spoke to artists over the years but while here in Philippines I decided it was time to go for it. I looked at on-line reviews of artists in the Manila area and saw that Marlon at Vice Tattoo was listed in the top 5 of most of them. I sent him an email with my current tattoo and a picture of an image that I liked. Marlon asked me to come in for measurements. I went to his shop and he told me that he could do it but it would be larger than I described in my email. I asked Marlon to prepare a drawing that would be the actual size. Marlon asked for a p2000 deposit but I was not convinced that I wanted to do it and offered p700 which he accepted. My cover tattoo would be a US Marine Corps image (EGA) with American flag background which I knew he was not familiar with so I was very clear on my instructions. The first couple images that he emailed me were not correct which was partially my fault. The US flag was the wrong direction for the right arm and North and South America were inverted on the globe. I was beginning to feel uncomfortable about him understanding my request due to his less than perfect English skills. Hey this is the Philippines and Tagalog is the national language so I really cannot complain. My sweetie is Filipina who translated my instructions and we got the image banged out in no time. It is a good idea to take someone that speaks Tagalog with you. Marlon may understand just fine but don't just expect him to understand precise details in English. Marlon asked that I bring my lady with me when I got the tattoo so he could speak with her and make sure that it is perfect for me. I got the big dark colored tattoo on my arm now and it is healing. I am anxious to see it once it is healed so that I can make a 100% observation and opinion but for now I am happy with it. Looking over other reviews I see there are mixed opinions. One person said that he uses a heavy hand and fast strokes. This is true, he had the gun cranked up and it was painful. Not enough pain that I wanted to quit but it was uncomfortable. Big tattoos are going to require some patience and tolerance. Also he was about an hour late for the appointment but during that time his apprentice worked hard at creating the overlay of the image and even had to redraw a couple times to get it to my requirements. When Marlon arrived the overlay had been transferred to my arm. I could see in the mirror the size and layout of the tattoo. We discussed the cost of the tattoo and he quoted me p10,000 and did not increase the price after I asked to add on some letters under the tattoo. I feel that the price was reasonable but keep in mind too that I had my lady with me discussing all of this so was not just a foreigner in the shop. Although I saw it in another review, I cannot even speculate whether or not he charges foreigners extra but I will guess that he does not do that. Now he did charge me p900 for three small packages of lotion. That was way overpriced but I paid it. Not going to argue over $18.00. Take a tube of triple antibiotic ointment with you from your country if you plan to get a tattoo in the Philippines, it is like $4.00 USD and you are not going to find it in a Manila pharmacy. At least I did not see it here. I was impressed with Marlon's awards, achievements and also the appreciation letters for being at judge a various tattoo competitions. Marlon has several books with pictures of his past work. These are good for determining his skills. A tattoo is going to be on your body forever (unless you get a cover tattoo like me) so do your research and don't make a fast decisions. I am happy with the work Marlon did. He did most of the work free hand from the drawing and was able to change the overall look so that I was not stealing someone else's tattoo. I would recommend Vice Tattoo to anyone and will honestly say that it was a good experience and I am happy with my tattoo.

Had such a great experience here! Very thankful to have found this shop online before I fly back…read morehome. Sheila, the owner, is very nice and friendly! Felt very comfortable in this shop. Ray did a great job on my tattoo and was honest about the results. Thank you Tattoo Super Shop for the experience!

I came in a few nights ago for a walk-in, but the work I wanted was going to take a few hours so I…read morescheduled an appointment instead. I was on a bit of a tight schedule since I'm only visiting for a week from the states, so they were very accommodating. I got my tattoo from Denver, one of the sweetest and caring artist I've worked with. This wasn't my first tattoo, but my first time getting it in another country. Despite the language barrier, communication and positive energy were shared. I enjoyed getting to know him, along with the other artists there. Definitely the most genuine group of humans I've met this whole trip. Meeting people like them makes going home so much harder! Thank you Denver, Luleng, Koko, and all of Don Antonio staff for your warm and welcoming experience. My heart is full with so much vibes! One of the raddest shops I have ever stepped foot in. So many talented artists and fun people to get to know! Hope to see you all soon during our next visit!!

EXCELLENT STAFF AND SERVICE. My expectations were highly met after the artist Koko finished my…read moretattoo. Very family oriented shop with great values and respect. This shop houses talented artists so if you are looking to get a tattoo then come here! It was my first time coming here and I will most definitely come back next time I visit the Philippines. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK DON ANTONIO TATTOO SHOP!

The whole process of getting a tattoo is like courtship. You don't just go with the first tattoo…read moreshop you see and commit right then and there. It takes time. You research, ask around about their reputation and the work they've done before. You have to make sure they can cater to your needs and can take care of you before you show your skin to them. 55 Tinta in Maginhawa Sreet (unfortunately named because they left #55 but I digress) is the tattoo place you can go all the way with. Behind their laidback exterior lie years of tattooing experience between famed and award-winning local tattoo artist Dyuntats and the members of the rock band Kamikazee. As you're lying down, apprehensive and scared, 55 Tinta's artists will gently hush you and reassure that it's going to hurt only for a while and that everything's going to be okay. Before you know it, it'll be over and you'll have something to remember the whole experience by for the rest of your life. That's enough double entendres. Just go here.

Rip Off! They jacked up the prices once they saw us walk in. The 3 of us are obviously from out of…read moretown. We are volunteering our services in building homes here in the city. The moment we asked for small 2x2 inch tats on our wrists they upped the price to more then we can get in the states. NO tattoo shop should use a measuring tape for AWFUL pricing. A 2inch by 2inch with them was gonna cost 4,000 Pesos! ($88)...are you kidding me! RIP OFF! DO NOT GO! TOURIST TRAP! There are better and cheaper artists in the area. Just ask. They weren't even willing to negotiate! Horrible horrible place. AVOID AT ALL COSTS!

I have been wanting to get a tattoo ever since I was in high school. My Dad would always tell me to…read morewait until I finish college, then I could do whatever it is that I want - get dreadlocks, color my hair pink, or get a tattoo. Fast forward to more than a decade after, I still haven't gotten one. Seriously considering getting one before I turn thirty, I decided what better way to do research than to go to Dutdutan - the biggest (and quite possibly the only) annual tattoo convention in the Philippines. When I got there, the first sight of the long line made me think twice about going. However, I thought to myself that if I couldn't even go through with checking it out, then how will I even push through with getting a tattoo, right? The registration and process of going through was efficient and effective, yet there were just so many people wanting to get in. After about an hour, I finally got in. I must admit that I was overwhelmed by the number of tattoo shops that were there to offer their services, even doing tattoos onsite! I also came across tattoo models, posing gladly with fanatics. The models would take breaks and head to the stage for the judging of the tattoos done one them. There were several different categories for the awarding and I must say, that I am impressed by the workmanship and capability of our local artists. I even got to watch a band, whose lead singer also happened to be a popular tattoo artist. Going to Dutdutan really made me see so many things and made me realize even more just how serious and how fun getting a tattoo can be. I didn't get a tattoo right there, but because of that experience, I'll definitely be getting one soon.

Call me a pilgrim…read more In my early 20's, I had the idea that I had what it took to be a tattoo artist. Fueled by binging on Miami Ink and my fascination with Japanese woodblock, my greatest and most overarching passion was to be a tattooist in the tradition of old Japanese masters, my services sought by gangsters in fundoshi (that would be the pilipit ns bahag of the Japanese. It's painfully cool). Fast-forward to the present, my late 20's, and I am not quite there. So while I may have had to accept that I won't be called Hori-something anymore (sadly, tattooing by hand pricking isn't in the cards for me), I still have a love for tattoo culture, but this now, it also includes the people. This is all thanks to Dutdutan. I first came to Dutdutan, happily, when it was still a niche event, and wasn't so heavily sponsored. Sure, there was already a bikini contest, but it wasn't crawling with mouth-breathing creeps with cameras, only there to hungrily snap pictures of half-naked women, to be uploaded for bragging rights (sorry for the rant, but damn, fellas be thirsty lately). With the stage events barely relating to tattoo anymore, you walk the floor. This is where Dutdutan is still largely the same. Year after year, you meet the same cool, chill people, whether they are artists (surprisingly, yes, they're the boss but they're not too busy within reason), models (both dudes and girls), fellow enthusiasts, and even the friendly Tribal staff (for people working in retail, they sure are chipper). I even met friends there in their respective booths, like Sarah and Paolo (snowflake on the floor, Turbogoth on stage), Wildchild Tattoo (represent!) and the ever-friendly Dyuntats booth (if you're not friends with them yet, you will be). This is the showcase of tattoo, both as an art and as a lifestyle. You'll come to Dutdutan for the curiosity, but you'll stay for the people.