Dutdutan Festival 2023 is Still Going Strong After Two Decades of Existence

Dutdutan Festival 2023 was held last Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 at the World Trade Center in Manila. These were 2 days filled with music, comfort food, and a lot of tattooing.

Powered by established streetwear brand Tribal Gear, this is one of the largest musical expositions in the country and featured well-loved musicians such as Gloc-9, Urbandub, December Avenue, Tanya Markova, Skusta Clee, Chocolate Factory, Zild, etc.

The main aim of the festival is to erase the stigma associated with tattooed people. Another highlight of the event is the bikini fashion show.

Philippine Tattoo Artist Guild (PHILTAG) Adviser and Dutdutan Festival Founder shared that their organization prioritizes hygiene when practicing their craft. PHILTAG also offers apprenticeships for those who want to become tatoo artists.

When asked why the famous “mambabatok” was not present in the event, this was Sta. Ana’s reply: “Si Apo Whang Od ay mahirap na papuntahin dito. Masyado nang mahal at marami siyang requirements.”

The international tattoo artists who flew all the way to Manila from their respective countries were really happy about the outcome of Dutdutan Festival 2023. They found the event fun, with crazy energy coming from a lot of people grooving to the music.

“I think it’s changed throughout the years and getting more open…getting accepted in the world. There’s more doctors and lawyers that are getting tattooed,” they shared.

Some of the bands this writer got to interview were Chocolate Factory, P.O.T., and The Chongkeys and these are what they have to say about the festival.

“Mas malala ngayon. Mas matindi ngayon,” said Chocolate Factory, who last performed in the 2017 edition of the festival.

P.O.T. band members shared it is their first time performing in Dutdutan Festival. “Okey naman. Na-schock sila,” they joked. P.O.T. is already decades old and they became known to the younger audience via their cover song ‘Yugyugan Na’.

“Always proud and tradition sa’min every year”, said The Chongkeys.

Dutdutan took it’s name from the Filipino root word “dutdot” which means to poke something. The tattoo and music festival began in 2000 and is always held on or near October, which is the Indigenous People’s Month.