First Female Tattoo Artist in the Philippines
Exploring the beauty of body art
By Heidi M. Pascual

Marking your body with anything permanent is against tradition in the Philippine
society. It is still considered taboo among well-respected individuals to have tattoos
on parts of their bodies that are exposed for others to see. Not so long ago, if men
were seen wearing tattoos, they were instantly believed to be former inmates or
gang members. The crude tattoos on their bodies were usually done by other
inmates who did not have better things to do than drawing on others’ skins. In other
words, the tattoo “art” always had these connotations: male-made and bad
influence. In addition, tattooing became a symbol for rebellion, for anti-
conservatism, for anti-establishment, or for anything old and stale.

But as the world changed, so has the country, though very slowly. This controversial
form of art has entered the realm of modern-art expression, and has gotten the nod
of a generation of young people eager to explore their talents beyond the ordinary
easel-and-brush work. One of them hails from Sta. Cruz, in the province of Laguna.
And the artist is a she.
Rakel Maldo-Natividad is a pioneer in tattoo art
created by a Filipina. While the journey has been
tough, persistence and genuine talent drove her
to succeed.
In the Philippines, tattoo art is still a male-dominated world; thus, the journey of Rakel Maldo-Natividad toward “stardom” has been
arduous and heart-breaking. But persistence, hard work, and a great husband who she considers her “foundation,” kept her eye on the
prize. Here’s her story.

“When I was in high school, I was into drawing,” Rakel began. “Teachers liked how I drew letters, for example, that they always asked
me to paint letters on donated cabinets and other furniture in the school.”
Racquel's first tattoo equipment was so heavy
she had to rest for hours after one art work.
Racquel's latest tattooing device is light and
easier to handle.
The thought of taking up Fine Arts after graduating from high school never left her
mind, because she could draw figures and use colors to produce vivid reproductions
of reality. But family situation prevented her from doing so.

“My mother died when I was two, so it was my aunt who raised me,” Rakel said. “She
couldn’t afford sending me to a Fine Arts School in Manila, and the alternative was
for me to take up Elementary Education here at Union College in Laguna.” When
asked about her father, Racquel said he left the family and his whereabouts
remained unknown.

While in college earning her elementary-education degree, Racquel met Ser Makus
Natividad, her future husband and main supporter, who was into music. He studied
music education at the University of Sto. Tomas in Manila, and he taught guitar
playing in his hometown. Apparently, the two artists clicked right away and decided to
tie the knot even before Rakel received her college diploma in 2001. Makus had a
tourism degree under his belt, so the prospect of both of them landing good jobs
was high.
But it wasn’t so.

In Manila, Rakel took licensure exams
in education but failed. She attributed
this failure to the fact that she attended
only half of whole-day review classes,
because she spent time watching
tattoo artists in Recto, Manila. It was
her initial exposure to tattoo art and it
left an increasing interest that
rekindled her love for drawing with
colors. But yet again, this interest had
to take a back seat due to financial
needs of the new family.
Ser Makus Natividad and Rakel Maldo fell
in love while in college, and together
created their destiny.
Tattooing needles have to be appropriately
sterilized in a special sterilizer for the purpose.
Rakel took odd jobs, including selling disinfectants and dish-washing detergents. Then
Makus threw an idea that would become a reality and an achievement for both of them:
“How about tattoo art?”
Rakel’s eyes had widened and her spirits had been lifted, but questions such as, “How do we do it?” “Where are we going to do it?”
“We don’t know enough about it; who will trust us?” kept nagging her. But realizing that she was not alone in her search for a place in
the tattoo-art industry gave her enough confidence to give it a try. Makus was ready to be her guinea pig, and he sold his amplifier to
buy her first tattoo-tools kit.

Makus did all the research work on tattoo art and gave Racquel freedom to practice her craft on his skin. Such “sacrifice” didn’t go
unnoticed, because Rakel acknowledged his work and support and admitted “All I did was to execute his work,” comparing any
project that they do to a movie production where everything behind the scene is done by her husband, and she’s just doing the acting
part.
Ser Marcus shows off Racquel's "practice" tattoo work on his arms. He
says his right arm has been her training ground.
The couple began exhibiting Rakel’s work at local
community festivals, such as the Kesong Puti Festival.
(Kesong Puti or white cheese from carabao milk is a
famous product of the province of Laguna.) Their booth
was the first ever on tattoo art exhibit, and because
festivals require swift encounters with customers, Rakel
offered temporary tattoos using henna. As expected, not
many people were enthusiastic, particularly because the
artist was female and tattoos were still taboo; but such
events started the dissemination of information on the
availability of a tattoo artist in the community.

“We distributed business cards and hoped we’ll get
clients from around our town,” Rakel said. “But they were
few and far between. Even if we offer ‘free’ tattooing,
nobody was interested.”

That was not so long ago.
The putdown didn’t dampen Rakel’s desire to pursue her dream of becoming a full-fledged tattoo artist. She wanted to be the best.
She traveled to San Pablo City where a well-known tattoo artist was based, and asked to be his apprentice. Initially, Mel Lacanilao
disagreed, for tattoo art isn’t only a skill-and-talent show, but also a trade secret. Imparting what you know to others would kill your
business, so they say.
Ser Marcus at work, taking advantage of modern
technology to express the couple's tattoo art form.
“Well, I was persistent, begging him to please allow me to watch him work,
and in return I would assist him in his studio without pay,” Rakel recollected
with a smile. “He only gave me a daily transportation allowance from Santa
Cruz to San Pablo City.” But the 6-month apprenticeship proved to be a great
investment, for Rakel learned much from a “tattoo master” hands-on,
including techniques and safety measures necessary to succeed in the field.

This hands-on training, Rakel’s innate talent, plus modern technology that
provided Ser Marcus most of the information Racquel needed combined
beautifully to form “Rakel Tattoo Studio,” now housed at #0883 Barangay
Callios, Santa Cruz, Laguna. Racquel and Ser Marcus continue to improve
their craft together, with Ser Marcus focusing on better equipment, sanitation
procedures, inking technology, and getting sponsorships (for ink and
needles) from here and abroad. The couple will now have their own brand of
ink for worldwide distribution.
And while in the past, getting clients was like having birth pains, Rakel Tattoo Studio is fully booked for the next month or so.
Business is booming, and social media has a lot to do with it.  Celebrities from manila are included in Rakel's list of clients.

“It started with Friendster and MySpace, and now it’s Facebook,” Makus said. “The word is spreading fast about what Rakel does, and
the world is getting to know that this artist lives in Santa Cruz, Laguna, Philippines.”
“This is not a one-woman show,” Rakel admitted, “while I
may be the first female tattoo artist in our country, I have my
man behind me. Without him, I’m not sure I could be here.”

Rakel received the 2013 “Natatanging Mamamayan ng Santa
Cruz” award (Outstanding Citizen of Santa Cruz), in
recognition of her outstanding contributions to the community
and the honor she has given her hometown.

In a way, Rakel has become a teacher, too. She is teaching
people how to achieve a dream. She is teaching other
women that they can also explore careers traditionally held
only by men. She is teaching other youth the importance of
persistence, patience, and hard work in order to succeed.
Racquel's new line of ink, sponsored by StarBrite, USA, for
worldwide distribution.
BELOW ARE SOME OF RAKEL TATTOOS: