The Philippines celebrates the body painting tradition of the ancient tattooed pintados warriors in June. Tattoos symbolized brave warriors among the natives of Tacloban during the pre-Hispanic years of the Philippines. Held in Tacloban on June 29, the Pintados Festival holds a parade of participants mimicking the old warriors and wearing traditional costumes, a traditional music contest, and a hip hop dance competition.

“Visitors will have a chance to experience a unique culture of the Philippines through a mix of Catholic and traditional music and dance. The Pintados Festival is a cultural revival of the tattoo culture that symbolized the bravity of Tacloban warriors that has transformed into a fun body painting event,” said Maricon Basco-Ebron, tourism director and attach of the Philippine Department of Tourism-Korea.

(wylee@heraldcorp.com)