Dutdutan XII: Expect the unexpected

MANILA, Philippines -  “They will come armed with their pens and needle machines. Their bodies covered with back pieces and bodysuits. They will wave their flags to signal alliance and preparedness, stating their intentions in distinct colors and compelling images.”

Dutdutan is a challenge we rise to year after year.

Artists put themselves to the test every year, challenging one another to maintain and even exceed excellent qualitative standards. Ink aficionados annually affirm their support and allegiance to the art, battling long lines and massive crowds.

Now marked with 12 years of ink deeply etched within its very core, Dutdutan is all armed and ready to defy limits and showcase tattooing at its best. It’s all in the name of genuine art, and the believers who battled the storms born with it.

Currently dubbed the biggest and grandest tattoo expo in the country and now in Asia, Dutdutan XII will stage the ultimate skin art show in town on Sept. 28 and 29 at the World Trade Center (WTC).

Last year, Dutdutan hosted a mega-crowd of 15,000 attendees, 90 tattoo booths and 200 of the best inkers from all over the world.

This year, as presented by Tribal Gear Philippines, Dutdutan XII will house 130 tattoo booths and occupy three halls of the WTC, a venue made larger to accommodate the usual and expected multitude of thousands.

Once again, to gather under one roof, are the biggest guns in the local and international tattoo scenes, all ready to cater to your tattooing fantasies.

Participants from Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, France, Japan, Guam, Hong Kong, Borneo and Indonesia are flying in to take part and battle it out in the one extraordinary weekend.

Audiences are in for a show as Sen Dog and Eric Bobo of Cypress Hill, bring the house down tonight.

Members of the worldwide Tribal clique from San Diego, California will pop in for the occasion. Bobby Ruiz (founder of Tribal Gear), Big Tiny (notorious inker) and Alex Garcia (badass painter and inker) are there to celebrate with their local counterparts.

A new addition to Dutdutan’s roster of impressive show-stoppers are Russian pole dancers — all hot and ready to display their professional pole tricks and give everyone that vertical climax.

Making a grand comeback is Tribal Gear’s Pin-Up Babes Bikini Contest by FHM.

Professional URCC (Universal Reality Combat Championship) fighters will turn things higher with their fights, while Drum Duel is all set as participants prepare to roll for the coveted Drum King title.

Crossing boundaries in music are performances from Wolfgang, Kamikazee, Franco, Valley of Chrome, General Luna, Urbandub and Imago.

Dutdutan XII will kick off with the tattoo competitions in 15 categories. Winner of each category will receive P10,000 cash, gift packs and a trophy.

Dutdutan is not your usual sighting in the sunny metro. But we have only seen the tip of the iceberg as far as what this part of the world has to offer. The best is yet to come.

Get your tickets (P350 for one-day pass, P600 for two-day pass) now at any Tribal Gear boutique. Gates open at 12 noon. For details, check out www.dutdutan.com.ph.

Dutdutan XII is presented by Tribal Gear and co-presented by Skinworkz Tattoo, PhilTAG and Colt 45; sponsored by Pepsi, Kenny Rogers, JB Music, Padis Point, AEROMED, and Avatar Tattoo; with media partners FHM, The Philippine Star, Jack TV, Magic 89.9, Wave 89.1, Gala Magazine and Clavel Magazine.