Pacific Tattoo: Artist’s take - Chico Sarayba

(Chico Sarayba’s work is featured on the front cover of Pacific Tattoo Magazine.)

Chico Sarayba

Q. Can you describe the tattoo culture in the Philippines?

A. The tattoo culture in the Philippines is getting better and continues to grow. Our elders are starting to accept it and realize it’s art.

Q. What can you say to U.S. military personnel who come down to Palawan on TDY looking to grab some ink?

A. Tattooing military personnel is awesome. I have learned good things from them and have become friends with many. Some of them have become like family. If they are looking to grab some ink, I will say “this is the right moment to get it.” I will surely recommend getting some ink because for me, it’s like a souvenir. Getting a “I love Palawan” t-shirt is cool, but getting a tattoo in Palawan is quite an experience.

Q. What is the most rewarding thing about being a tattoo artist?

A. The most rewarding thing about being a tattoo artist is it keeps me alive and it’s how I make a living.

Q. If you could change one thing about the tattoo industry, what would it be?

A. Maybe instead of competition, let’s make a collaboration so tattoo artists can share ideas, learn new techniques from one another, and be friends with respect.

Q. What is it like traveling to different countries to give tattoos?

A. I learn new things, but not just about tattoos. It’s awesome meeting new tattoo artists and sharing ideas. I do miss my family though, but sometimes if you wanna see more, you have to go outside. It’s a blessing to be able to travel.

Q. What inspired you to become an artist and eventually open a tattoo parlor?

A. When I was young, I always loved to draw. I dropped out of school after 8th grade. My big brother had a tattoo booth in my Grandma’s resort. I would work there every summer. We did temporary tattoos, and it was fun. I really loved it. One day, we ran out of material, so we went to visit my brother’s friend, Onat Buenaventura, who owns a tattoo shop. We went there to buy materials for tattoos, and we became friends. Onat is a Master in tattoo, so I asked if I could be his apprentice. Master Onat and my big brother, Harry Sarayba, were my inspiration to become a tattoo artist. I opened my tattoo shop when my son Dylan was four months old. I decided to leave my hometown in Cavite and flew to Palawan to start a new humble beginning in June 2015. I need to make sure that my kids will be okay when I’m gone, so I decided to open a tattoo studio.

(Tatto work by Chico Sarayba)

(Tatto works by Chico Sarayba)

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“Chico Sarayba is a tattoo artist who owns Dylan’s Tattoo Shop in Palawan, Philippines. In 2021 while on TDY to the Philippines, Chico tattooed my left rib cage with my favorite anime character. It was a great experience as he made me feel at home and really made sure my tat was drawn the way I wanted. I reached out to him recently to chat about being a tattoo artist in the Philippines.”

— Luis Samayoa

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