"Face Tattoos Among Bontoc Igorots"
During a forum a few months back at the University of the Philippines Baguio, a speaker mentioned that tattooing the face was quite common in the past especially among Igorots in Bontoc and adjacent regions.
I was doubtful about the claim until I came across a collection of old photos taken in the Bontoc area between 1898 and 1912. Many of the Bontoc men who posed for portraits had tattoos on their faces. The designs which are very similar to the ones on the chest and arms/torso were usually tattooed on the lower half of the face.
I'm yet to see a modern person today sporting this traditional face tattoo. It looks cool though. Gives the bearer that "Bontoc warrior" aura.
[Images Source: Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University; website]
