Andi Eigenmann, Philmar Alipayo issue: Why couples get tattoos?
MANILA, Philippines — Couple tattoos have been the rage, and it is more pronounced now that it is the Valentine’s season.
While getting inked is a personal preference, it can be a controversial topic, especially when only one of the couple is inclined to get it.
At what point can a special someone agree to have it for the sake of professing one’s love and dedication to his or her partner? Can these matching tattoos affect the bond between couples?
In an interview with Glamour, licensed psychotherapist Rachel Wright said that matching tattoos can serve as a “physical and permanent reminder of a person, commitment, care, experience, feeling, or moment.”
Wright added that a tattoo can elicit feelings, and with matching couples tattoo, it can give a feeling of “belonging, joy, commitment, or something else.”
Of recent events, the viral story of Filipino celebrity couple Andi Eigenmann and Philmar Alipayo comes to mind.
The Siargao-based couple recently patched things up after their rift went viral. Andi posted on her Instagram stories her feelings about Philmar getting a matching tattoo of “224” with his friend Pernilla Sjoo, a Swedish photographer who has been living in the island.
After her cryptic posts, Andi addressed cheating allegations by saying Philmar never cheated on her. Philmar later on said that they have patched things up and that their personal matter should have been addressed privately.
It’s all huge smiles and good feelings on Valentine’s Day as Philmar surprised Andi with an improvised bouquet of flowers with puso ng saging (banana bud or heart).
And on today, news about Andi and Philmar getting inked at the same time broke. Photos of them getting tattoos went viral. Andi reportedly got a palm branch design, while Philmar’s tattoo has yet to be seen.
Over at Hollywood, the most famous celebrity tattoo is arguably of Johnny Depp, who had the name of his “Edward Scissorhands” co-star Winona Ryder inked on his right shoulder as “Winona Forever.”
He might be the only one to have it immortalized on his body as they dated in the 1990s. But when their romance failed, Depp had his Winona tattoo altered by having the last two letters of the actress’ name removed to read “Wino Forever.”
A cursory internet search of tattoo prices in the Philippines showed that a tattoo can cost P1,000 and the price can increase as the size and area to be tattooed, such as a full sleeve, gets bigger.
Tattoo removal prices in the Philippines, on the other hand, is estimated to be around P1,000 to P5,000 per session.
One clinic offers its Pico Laser removal, with a price range from P1,000 to P2,000, from small to large areas for 5+3 options. Another well-known clinic offers its laser tattoo removal procedure at P5,000 per session depending on the size.
Whether to get inked or not, especially for couples this Valentine’s season, it remains to be their prerogative. As long as they can live with it — and have the means to have it altered or removed when things get sour.
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