Dutdutan 2022: What to expect in PH's biggest two-day tattoo convention
"Dutdutan na!"
Dubbed as a "celebration of art and ink," Dutdutan Tattoo Convention is back to bring together acclaimed and budding artists, enthusiasts, and even first-time tatt lovers to be immersed in the Philippines' skin art industry.
Held at Metro Manila's World Trade Center this Oct. 14 to 15, the return of Dutdutan is a testament to free expression amid the pandemic, and just how vital it is to showcase different art forms in the country.
What to expect in Dutdutan
Aside from tattoo parlors nationwide offering discounted and special rates for attendees to get inked, there are also competitions among the best tattoo artists in the scene.
The celebrated tattoo artists, or "inkers," battle it out in different categories such as small pieces, tribal, neo-traditional, leg, realistic, and medium-sleeved contests to showcase their mastery of the craft.
The 'Tattoo of the Day' category especially remains the most coveted award of the convention, as it sees artists showcasing their skills in on-the-spot challenges on consenting individuals.
Apart from the actual tattooing, the tattoo parlor booths can also offer their own merchandise, souvenirs, and other paraphrenia for budding ink fans.
All in all, it's the best place to be if you either want to meet new friends or to further immerse yourself in the wide world of tattooing.
For this year's Dutdutan Convention, a number of local rock bands such as Franco, Mayonnaise, Urbandub, Chicosci, and more have graced the stage to provide live entertainment while attendees tour the booths.
Don't be fooled by the macho exterior of the festival though, as it welcomes tattoo enthusiasts from all walks of life. Famous celebrity tattoo parlor 55 Tinta made sure to make their booths aesthetically pleasing this year to prove just that.
"We usually spruce up the booth to be macho and very manly. This time we went the other way with warm colors and a more inviting feel," they wrote on Instagram with photos of their decked-out space.
"However the look though, our level of service will not change. Our best, always. Come drop by and say hi," they added.
Dutdutan Tattoo Convention is open from October 14 to 15, at the World Trade Center in Metro Manila. Doors are open starting 12 PM to 2 AM. Admission fee is priced at P700. Check out their website for further details.