JUAN IN E.U.

A one-of a kind yearbook that highlights the incredible 

stories of 100 Filipino migrants in Europe. Aptly titled 

JUAN in EU, this annual anthology culls the inspiring 

anecdotes and personal reflections of our hard 

working kababayans who have all come to love 

Europe as their land of dreams and second home. With 

pages that bream of lessons, hope and wisdom that 

could only come from the heart of the resilient 

Filipino, this annual will let you discover and celebrate 

the unique fortitude of 

JUAN DELA CRUZ THAT IS IN YOU!

As they say being a mother is the noblest profession in the world. No holidays, no salary and absolutely no resignation. I can attest to that because I for one have joined the league of motherhood seven years ago and now I am blessed with two adorable kids.  I have experienced the joys and hardships of being a mother as I struggle and toil miles away from my family in Batangas to work abroad. Being an OFW is one of the most difficult parts of it. Because I would have to leave my children behind and this put my conviction to test. With the life’s lessons I am getting from working in a foreign land, my priorities have changed dramatically. Now I put my family above all, especially my children to whom I offer all my sacrifices. I was once a girl who parties a lot like an average teenager from a long day at school. I used to hang-out with friends and stay up all night without worrying that there’s class the next day or I have work to do at the office. The thumps and jumpin-jumpin’ on the dance floor and my favorite gimmick places sometimes seem to be haunting and inviting. But the late night-outs with friends and colleagues were a thing of the past to me now. 
In fact, I wouldn’t care at all.  

My life took a big turn in 2005. Taking up Communication Arts at the University of the Philippines Los Baños that time, I had to quit studying because I got pregnant at the age of 20 and became a mother to Ashley Margarette. It was a choice I had to make, to stop schooling and work for my child. I worked in a financial institution in Alabang as a Retention Specialist and I had to shoulder all the responsibilities of raising my daughter. Even though I was earning enough money to support her, I still thought of leaving the country. I said to myself that what I’m earning was not good enough because I want the best for my child and my family.

In 2007 I resigned from work and left to Milan, Italy, with a luggage full of dreams, courage and faith. I remember clearly the day when I left Ashley Margarette who was just three years old back then. She asked why I had a big bag and I just said to her that I’m going to cover my grave yard shift at the office.

 It was on December 16, Flight Ek 0335 bound to Milan, one of the saddest days in my life, the day that I had to leave my child, so small and naive. She has to be the one to suffer the consequences of my actions and grow up without a mother on her side. Tears overflowed and there were mixed emotions.  I thought of staying but just imagining a bleak future ahead of us made me firm about my decision. Even if it breaks my heart I chose to leave. As I walked away I told myself that this was for the best. I left a promise to my daughter trying to control my tears, “Baby, Mommy will come back tapos pupunta tayo sa Disneyland pag-uwi ko.” I kissed and hugged her and hurriedly turned my back so I would not see her cry.

Love and Relationship

I did not become lucky enough with my first relationship. I learned after a few months of being away that the father of my eldest had another woman pregnant.  Immediately I decided to end things with him and moved on with my life. This is one of the consequences of being an OFW. The pain I felt that time was unbearable. But I have to be strong not only for myself but for my daughter whose future and life lies on me.

At one point in my life I thought that I won’t have the chance to get married and that I’ll live alone. I was so afraid that I might get hurt again. I can’t imagine loving someone else again or having someone else to love me. But to my surprise he came at the right time, the time when I was fully healed and just about ready to trust again. Another man came, a man who changed me, a man who convinced me to love again and look at the brighter side of things. August of 2010, I exchanged vows with Regen Mulingtapang after 14 years of friendship and I had my second child named Martina Amber.

Working Abroad

Life is totally different in Milan taking care of an 86-year-old woman. While I may be used to doing household chores in the Philippines changing diapers, giving bath and preparing food to old people are things I have never done before.

The sad truth is that I am taking care of strangers and make sure they live well, while I can’t even look after my kids nor make sure they’re free of mosquito bites. On my first month away, I scrambled after learning that Ashley had seizure attacks due to high fever. I cried every night and I couldn’t get decent sleep thinking how Ash was going. She often would have seizures when having a high fever. Working non-stop at an average of 10 hours a day makes me busy and helps me forget about the family I left at home. Days and weeks pass in a breeze in Italy where everyone is busy.

  

Instead of partying with friends I usually rest and kill time in bed and chat with my family in the Philippines. We do webcam chatting almost every day. This way I make sure I get to see them especially my kids who often ask where I am. When confronted by my daughter I just tell her that I am coming home soon. I always tell my eldest why I have to work far away, that it’s for them. It’s very hard to live life away from your loved ones. When every single year my daughter’s birthday wish would be that I come home so our family would be complete. “Mommy uwi ka na para one big happy family na tayo,” she tells me. It also breaks my hearts when my other daughter Martina who I left when she was just six months old calls me Mommy, smiles and sends me kisses with her cutest face on the camera. These are the moments that tears just flow down on my face.

On being a mother

Asked if I regret mothering at an early age, there were times I regretted quitting studies and starting my own family at a very young age. But I wouldn’t be as happy as now. I find genuine happiness seeing my angels grow up and thinking that soon all my sacrifices would pay off. My parents were of course disappointed when the news broke of my pregnancy. They never expected that I would get pregnant at a very young age. They have a lot of dreams for me—to graduate at UP, and get a high paying job. But the motherly work of course was not a piece of cake and it wasn’t too hard either. I find fulfillment on being a mom. I stood on my own without asking help from them. Now I want to prove them that I can raise my own children well.

Future plans

Life is good and God is great. My life right now is the result of the decisions, attitude and choices that I have made in the past. At times I may have regrets and questions. Now I just make sure things will sway to the better and soon I’ll be home with my family in our new house. Earning bigger than my paycheck back in the Philippines, I am planning to buy a house and lot, a car, and put up businesses when I get back. Re-enrolling at UP might be a consideration. In the meantime, I plan of schooling in an Italian institution so I can easily find an office work aside from teaching English to Italian kids as my part time job. Nakakabobo dito. Nasasayangan ako sa UP education ko pero wala ako magagawa kelangan kong

kumita at mag-ipon for my family. I scan the online Filipino papers, online news and surfs the Internet and often curled up in bed finding time to rekindle ties with good books. With my passion in writing, I write stories and articles about life, people and politics and share it through my personal blog, time permitting.

My priorities have been shuffled and goals have changed. So far the experience taught me things I’ll never get from UP or from any institution I’ve worked in. It has changed my perspective and attitude as a person. Now I can say that there are no regrets just learning for I wouldn’t be the person I am now if not because of what I have been through, I am stronger, wiser and a better version of myself.  I have learned well from my mistakes. My experiences have made me a better person and above all a better mother to my kids.

The Dying Filipino Society

In a complex society, two things are prominent, “deviousness” and “unutterable greed”. Seeking for just and equal rule of law is far from reality as you have to face chaos and destruction in the process. We must frankly face and accept the fact that there are some with inadequate conception of power and there are those who become prey and human sacrifice. People are enslaved to a world of never-ending greed, temptation and scheme. Thus the continuing decline and death of the society is not far. Our country is like a ship slowly sinking in the dark waters. What was once rich and prosperous, is now a country plagued with poverty, violence, immorality, corruption and injustice.


With democracy we all have the government we choose and deserve.  A government ruled by the people with the sole purpose of helping and serving its citizens, building a nation that would cater to its needs. During the primeval times when simplicity and contentment is supreme, when everything else is free from selfish manifestations, when there is still self-sufficiency and freedom Filipinos have lived without any dependency or influence from the government. They live in the abundance of natural resources. They cultivate their own land. There are no constitutional laws to abide because the people treat each other with respect. But with the incessant greediness of some people, who use and abuse the weakness of their countrymen brought us and the country’s posterities into turmoil.  It is just so sad that a country like ours with its natural wealth and intellectual populace is classified as a third world country.


It is never too late to act.  Any of our actions has an impact on others. Filipinos must unite and work on a common goal to bring back our country’s dignity. The people must free itself from the influence of the government. The government has to be stopped from making selfish decisions and should start to care for its people and the country’s welfare. The Filipino people are strong and wise. The choices we make today can change not only our lives but the Philippines’ future generation.  Poverty, violence, immorality, corruption and injustice are all preventable. But it will continue if we do not do something about it. We also have our own responsibilities in making a long-term change possible and NOW is the time.

Image via Google

Atake sa Kalye

Nowadays, just who among us haven't seen walls, streets and properties without colorful graffiti and stickers on them? Even if there are clear signs imposed by the government prohibiting such acts, you can still see a rash of vandalism everywhere. They say sticker art and vandalism defaces or destroys public or private property and there's severe punishment for it. But for artists, these pieces of street art mean more than just that. Some of these artists or shall we say "vandalists" explore their potential and creativity through this medium. They will mark and stick on almost anything to make a name for themselves and spread their message to the people through art.

Providing message by the use of adhesives and spray paints is an exhibition in the street. They may rant on sociopolitical issues or can also be an art campaign. But for whatever reason, you can see all the contradictions of the society through these exhibitions. Sticker art and graffiti emphasizes the desire to elect the road as their own personal "gallery of reference". Sticker becomes an aesthetic medium for everyone, exchangeable and reproducible, immediate and anti-commercial. Graffiti, tells us to look and discover the surprises hidden with the signs, alphabets and images that run through the infinite.

 The Filipino youth nowadays have different ways of expressing themselves. It can be by mouth through democratic rallies or by hand as seen through artistic manifestations. Some refrain from speech and choose to express their unfavorable disapproval by means of art. It is again a question of social attitude. Art does not get much support from the government. Why do these artists showcase their talents on the streets anyway? Because there are not enough galleries and museums where they can display their works and taking up a course in the arts costs a lot.  Fine art is limited to only few and those who have the innate ability and skills are rather trashed. These artists are left alone to do their own marketing that is why they settle on the street level imagery.

If art is not your cup of tea then you might just consider these creative stickers and graffiti as mere vandals and property damage. But if you appreciate it just like I do then it's high time that we promote awareness, acceptance and support of artists in public.

Photo credit: www.facebook.com/mhelen.shimmy/photos

http://newshopper.sulekha.com

The Right Tattooist (Part II)

Dyani Lao

Crafted Custom Tattoo Designs in All Styles. "Dyani Lao Tattoos You are welcome to experience it".

Jean Pierre Lao is also known in the tattoo community as “Dyani Lao”.  He wouldn’t be considered one who can just trace a design with a tattoo machine. Having a formal art training, Lao is a Bachelor of Fine Arts graduate from the College of Fine Arts at the University of the Philippines Diliman. Majored in Painting, he earned the Best Thesis Award for Tattooing  my Pig ”Sining” entitled ”Ritwal”.

His skills with color, saturation, lighting, texture, and shading are truly top-notch. Maintaining his signature in oriental style, Dyani has a substantial number of clients wanting and waiting to have the “Dyani Lao Experience. Currently he only does custom tattoo designs by appointment.

Check this interview as Dyani Lao talks about his journey, his first tattoo, who influenced him and his advice for aspiring tattoo artists. .

What got you in tattooing?
Since I was a child, I am already amazed with tattoos.  Saw it on "cargadors" at the market near our house in Davao City. There's magic in it for me. Until i was in high school, I saw an actual tattoo session from friends who belong to a gang. It was "jail house style" aka mano-mano. That's when i got the idea of trying it my-self. I was also influenced by rock icons from "song-hits" since tattoo magazines are quite rare those days.

Tell us about your first Tattoo experience? Have you tattooed yourself?

When I was about 16-17 back then, I bought a sticker tattoo of a rose then applied it on my arm. That's what I used as my stencil. Then goes the poking...outline lasted 3 days, because I stopped every time my parents arrived home. I was an out of school youth that's why I have nothing to do at home. So yeah, that's how it started. I colored it after 3 years!

Who are your influences?
I have a lot. My professor in college, Mr. Bob Feleo. Painters like, Bosch, Dali, Munch, Van Gough, Da Vinci, Klimt, Kawasaki, Vallejo, and Ryden.  In tattooing, I like Filip Leu, Horiyoshi 3, Guy Aitchison, Shige, Tom Renshaw, Arron Cain, Anil Gupta, just to name a few.

How do you choose your tattoos?
Personally, I choose concepts that are related to my beliefs. This could be something I consider as talismans or stories I want to record, moments I would like to recall in the future, stuffs like that, symbols. And of course, the right artist who can interpret what ever ideas you have in get something posted in Google.

What does a tattoo artist have to focus on? 
Focus on quality. Develop your skills not your pocket. Good income will follow those who don’t hurry getting big buck without learning. Professionalism is about a lot more than getting paid.


How much thought do you put into your ink?

With my clients I see that we meet and discuss first. They should provide me everything I want to know. Then I draw the study for them to approve. Then I schedule them.

What do tattoos mean to you?

For me tattoo is a visual diary. A conversational piece about myth, afterlife, beliefs, talismans, and experiences I had, that I think is relevant in the future. I get my tattoos spontaneously. I don’t plan. I just know when I want to get it when the design shows up in my head.

 If you could tattoo one person in the world who would it be? A judgmental, political entity, a religious icon,  or a celebrity?
I don’t know. Perhaps,  Angelina Jolie. I have a crush on her, that’s why.

If you could get tattooed anywhere in the world, by anyone in the world, where and who would you go to? 
I’ll go to the master himself! Horiyoshi3 in Japan.  Next choice is Fillip Leu from Switzerland or Shige, also from Japan. Getting tattooed by them is like downloading skills, right into your hard drive.

If you are only allowed to make one tattoo in the world what would it be?
Tough question, my dream is to make a body suit with one design and concept. I guess that would be something new. I don't know what it is yet.

What do you think of collaboration tattoos and who would you want to do it with? Foreign and local?
I love doing that, I did it once with a friend. Oman Daluz. I often do collaboration drawings with friends. I really enjoy drawing spontaneously, enhancing my skills and creativity. It's something pure. Just like children's drawings. I'm open with anybody. It's a learning experience, so it's a lot of fun. I don't have any particular artist in mind to do it with though. Hope somebody invites me.

From your point of view, how did tattooing change your life?
I wouldn't know. I started tattooing at a young age and this is the life I planned and dreamed of living. Tattooing is a lifestyle for me, so it's hard to think what would I be without it.

What plans do you have for the future?
I am so conscious on focusing with my color palette and trademark especially when it comes to the level of intricacy of my details. I am hoping to develop a certain style to call my own. I plan on working hard to evolve my style into what I envision.

Email	dyanilao@facebook.com dyanilao@hotmail.com dyanilao@yahoo.com
Website	http://dyanilaotattoos.multiply.com

Ato Legaspi

Exceptional Ink on Human Portraits and Wildlife Subjects

Email coupletats@yahoo.com

Art has always been a passion for Ato Legaspi. Back then he used to participate in school contests but never really saw himself pursuing a course in the Arts. He became very curious with tattoos and at thirteen he got his first tattoo done by a neighbor in their kitchen. Who said that after getting one that he’d stop from having more? With this came the idea of buying his own machine and practicing on his own skin. Back then getting a tattoo kit is just like buying a candy from a candy store. It just came with basic instructions on how to set up the machine and which needles to use. But with his talent came out fantastic art pieces one could not even imagine came from an amateur. He never really intended to make money out of it. . For Ato it was just a hobby apart from his full time job as a truck driver in the United States. His appreciation of skin art led him to take his passion to a different level and asked artists there for apprenticeship. He thought that it would help him hone his skills in tattooing.  He went to different tattoo artists but never found one that is willing to give him an apprenticeship.” I do not blame them, teaching your skills to someone you barely know is something you would not just give like that. Also apprenticeship in US is not free, it cost a lot of money!” he said.  So he went back to practicing on his own body which did not turn bad after all according to his friends and relatives. When on vacation in the Philippines he would practice on his relatives, friends and his wife too. Grynne was the second person I did a tattoo for besides myself according to Ato.

Through continuous practice he became better on what he does and thought of charging a little bit just to cover his expenses on tattoo supplies.  What was then a hobby became a source of income for him. He quitted from driving 18 wheelers and found another job that gave him more days off. He finally found a studio that gave him his break. Pleasure and Pain in Easton, Pennsylvania was among the many shops Ato went into to ask for a part time job as a tattoo artist. He did not have a good portfolio to show back then but they trusted him and said that they would give it a shot. After a year he was asked to work full time. In 2009 he started then a promising career as full time tattoo artist. Just recently, he opened his own tattoo studio located in Lucban, Quezon the Infernal Tattoo Gallery.

From 2006 when he first started tattooing and until now Ato never stopped in trying to improve his skills and now he shares his talent and passion with his kababayans. He is now starting to make a name as one of best tattoo artists in the Philippines.

Tattoo:From Anti-Social to Mainstream

There is always a stigma attached to people with tattoos. Some are mistaken to be drug addicts, in a gang, engaged in illegal activity or convicts. I remember a quote that says ‎"The world is divided into two kinds of people: those who have tattoos and those who are afraid of people with tattoos”. Some enjoy art on their walls in their home, yet disapprove of people who express the art they enjoy on their bodies.  People will never change the way they approach or judge them. They're a part of a whole group of diverse individuals who have multitudes of reasons of having a tattoo. Other countries don't really bat an eye at the things people obsess about like tattoo.  With the decision to get tattooed, one has to look objectively and understand that there are those who just don't understand it. Some people still see those individuals with tattoos as "low class". There is no legitimate reason to think that. These individuals choose to modify their bodies the way they want them to be but there are still a few who just forget about individualism and are happier to be a clone of society. We are not all the same and should express ourselves one way or another. In some cases the people who end up hating are sometimes the ones who only see the poorly done basement tattoos or have received those, they never are really exposed to the beautifully done personal sentimental ones that take time, thought, skill, and imagination to create.

Isobel Varley-Most Tattooed Woman in the World

I think that in this day and age that we would go beyond even having this discussion about tattoo's cultural phenomenon. Just because someone has ink it doesn't classify them as bad people. It should be accepted to a certain point. People who sit in judgment of others who have tattoos need to rethink. We have the freedom to express ourselves. Tattoos aren't for everyone but one must not judge on skin color. Tattoos don't make you bad person, those who have them chose to be that way knowing how society feels on the subject. Not because a lot of people don't like them mean that they're a disease. We have our differences and that's what makes us unique.

Tattoos have been around for thousands of years and it has entered the mainstream of society. It is more common than ever and is being accepted as a new generation moving into positions of power and authority. It’s a form of art and self-expression and they usually mean something to each person who gets them. The world is just now becoming more accepting of tattoos in everyday life.  Tattoos are scars with better stories. It is art pure and simple, but so much harder to create. Because this is not like some oil and canvas or some pencil sketch, this is going to be carried on a person for the rest of their lives, flesh, bone, and blood. You must be very careful in choosing tattoos because it will forever be a part of you.

(Article published 2012/03/14 at Definitely Filipino Blog)

http://definitelyfilipino.com/blog/2012/03/14/tattoo-from-anti-social-to-mainstream/

Sacrifice

My first blog entry published last March 11, 2012 on Definitely Filipino-The Blog for Online Filipinos

http://definitelyfilipino.com/blog/2012/03/11/sacrifice/

Around 11 million is the estimated count of Filipinos worldwide. More than 3000 of our kababayans leave the country every day to seek a better lifestyle for their families. The past few years have been very tough. With our country’s economy, unstable government and growing population who would not think of migrating? The Ninoy Aquino International Airport has always been witness to heartbreaking goodbyes, stories of hope and optimism and of tragedies and misfortunes.  A father leaving his wife and kids and unsure of when he’s coming back. A single mother, full of dreams seeing a bleak future for her child choose to work far away. Filipinos, who among many others became unfortunate with their experiences in foreign land. Some lost their jobs, get harassed and even killed. Regardless of the risk they still opt to leave in pursuit of a greener pasture. With these, many questions are raised. Is leaving the country the only way to escape from the nation’s crisis? Do our children have to grow up far away from their parents? Will the government take actions on its current dilemmas or will the Filipinos carry the burden of its nation’s chaos?

Filipinos migrate for different reasons.  Working abroad is not all about the money. It’s all about dreams to fulfill and a life to improve.  It is never wrong to seek for betterment. But we must all be conscious of what is at stake.  What are the things that really matter to us?

Many of us dream to have a better life. A beautiful house, a car and money in the bank are some of the things we aspire. But are these still within reach or for us to have them realized that means a life far away from our loved ones?  Family comes first for us Filipinos and we do a lot of sacrifices for their sake. How many among us have missed their son or daughter’s birthday? Or was not able to attend their kid’s graduation? Or is the only person missing during reunions? Were you there to attend the funeral of your relatives who passed away? At the end of the day you might want to ask yourself are these sacrifices all worth it? We are all given with choices on how to live our lives.  But we must always know how good do we have to be and how much is enough.

Each one of us struggle to attain our dreams and with the decision of leaving the country, did we really make a good choice or are we losing the most important thing worth all the money in the world which is FAMILY. We earn money but we lose TIME with family and LOVE from family. We have seen the benefits of working overseas but we never really thought of what we have given up.