Though the society today is more accepting that tattoo is a form of art, there’s no denying that up until now some people look at it with certain misconceptions. Some see tattoos as a form of rebellion–a thing you check off your bucket list when you reach the legal age; a souvenir from being convicted, or a symbol for joining a certain fraternity and gang.
The buzzing pain of the needle and the deep-skinned ink forms a name, a figure, a memory we want to keep with us, or a person. It can also be a reminder of who we are or what we’ve become–a tattoo that might be for ourselves but can help other lives.
Husband and wife Bop and Jez Roa recently put up a “Tattoo for a Cause” on Facebook to raise funds for their daughter Kisha who has an Arachnoid Cyst in the left fronto-temporal of her brain, and their friends Katrina and Bryan Alagon’s baby who has multiple congenital anomalies (hypoplastic heart syndrome, underdeveloped lungs, stomach bubble, cleft lip and cleft palate).
Bop told InqPOP! that the “Tattoo for a Cause” started when their friend Jeffrey Estudillo, a tattoo artist and Kalisha’s godfather, said he wanted to help them. According to him, they’re both working as a graphic artist in an advertising company so tattoo is just a normal thing for them.
He said he was overwhelmed by the number of people who wanted to join, most of them are having their first tattoo.
“Sobrang nakakatuwa na willing sila magkaron ng permanent mark sa katawan nila to help Kisha and baby alagon. It’s like giving a part of them for the two princesses. A lot of them pa sinasabi na gusto nila na yung first tattoo nila is for something na may meaning,” he shared.
Bop said they didn’t expect that a lot of people would be willing to join the cause. He shared that people got encouraged because of the cheaper price and some even told him that it made them feel good to have a tattoo that could help someone in need.
Many are still interested to get inked and help the two babies so Bop said they might extend the Tattoo for a Cause.
It’s one thing to have your body decorated with ink and colorful tattoos, but to have a meaningful tattoo reminds you everytime you look at it that you did something right and the pain was all worth it.
You can check out Baby Kisha and Baby Princess Alagon’s website to know more about their condition and how you can help.