Dutdutan '11: A rockin' fete of skin art

MANILA, Philippines - Doing justice to the caliber of artistry this country houses is no simple feat, especially for a nation born with creativity in its blood.  Yet Dutdutan ’11 lived up to the most demanding of expectations, and once again created a venue for the ultimate tattoo showdown in town.

Dutdutan ’11, the biggest and grandest annual tattoo exposition in the country, hosted a two-day mega event that saw a multitude of 15,000 converging in one colossal lifestyle experience. Ink enthusiasts, tattoo virgins, curious onlookers, inked celebrities and the best local and international tattoo artists gathered at the World Trade Center on Aug. 26 and 27.

Presented by Tribal Gear Phils., Dutdutan 11’s first day kicked off with the opening of the much-awaited tattoo competitions.  

This year’s celebrations featured works from acclaimed local and international inkers who vied for prestige in 15 various categories. “Tattoo of the Day” remained the most coveted award as entries for this category were created on the day of the event itself. Winners received cash and a trophy symbolic of the full recognition earned through amazing skills and creativity. 

Special international guests, who flew in just for the occasion, were Tribal crew headed by infamous inker, Big Tiny of Unauthorized Ink, an addition to Tribal’s notorious pool of international artists; exceptional multimedia artist Willie T.; hardcore rapper/MC Ceekay Jones; and femme fatale inker Morgan Eyes. 

Intensity turned on Dutdutan’s Friday night as the URCC (Universal Reality Combat Championship) invaded the scene with its combat exhibition fights. 

Also highlighting Friday night was the infamous DJ/ drummer duo, 51 Fifty, of Dustin J and Presto One. True to their name, which is actually the police code for a lunatic, 51 Fifty came in with their load of insane hip-hop/rock mashups. The duo, which has already made a name for itself on the celebrity-soaked Las Vegas strip, captivated crowds.

On Saturday night, 10 super hot babes paraded it all in Tribal Gear’s Bikini Contest.

Also stealing the spotlight that night was Dutdutan’s very own drum Duel.  Sticks broke and drums smashed as contestants displayed their skills and tricks, with JB Music’s very own special drum setup. And with the winner and 51 Fifty’s Dustin J’s ultimate drum showdown, the experience was totally insane. 

Not to be left out was Dutdutan’s newest addition to its slew of event features, the Flip-Top. Throwing lines like punches, the event’s first ever flip-top battle scored and toppled opponents with versatility, delivery and rhymes.

Ending the nights were fully-amped performances from some of our top local music artists today: Valley of Chrome, General Luna, Tanya Markova, Franco, Chicosci, Grin Department, Sinosikat, Maplesyrup, The Breed, Kamikazee and The Dawn.

Dutdutan boasts of pioneering the biggest tattoo event in the country, becoming the first tattoo convention participated in by international inkers, the first-ever full lifestyle event, and also the first to converge differing cultures under one roof. Add to that the mainstreaming of concepts once thought of as taboo.

Dutdutan ’11 was presented by Tribal Gear; co-presented by Colt 45, Skinworkz and Philtag; sponsored by Kenny Rogers, JB Music, Cobra, Airphil Express, Pepsi, Liver Fit, Bliss Pleasure Enhancing Lubricants, Avatar Tattoo and Victoria Court; with media partners Jack TV, The Philippine Star, FHM, Powerwheels Magazine, pilstarngayon.com, Magic 89.9, Wave 89.1, UR 105.9, Dig Radio & Sarisari Sounds.com.