Exclusive Interview with Mayo Landicho: Tribal ‘Batok’ Tattoo Artist
Mayo Landicho, hailing from San Pablo City, Laguna, Philippines, embarked on an artistic journey that began in his early years with crayons, pencils, and various mediums. Throughout his college years, Mayo delved into T-shirt printing, signboards, and billboards before migrating to Canada. There, he honed his skills as a sculptor and airbrush artist, contributing to theme parks in both Canada and the USA.
I got inspired by the history behind the tattoo culture and the amazing ancestral history about our very own and unique way of doing it. I was inspired when I saw their designs, and knew about the meaning behind it.
A versatile artist, Mayo worked as a stage designer, background props creator, and eventually transitioned into a full-time tattoo artist, winning accolades at prestigious events like the West Coast Tattoo Show and the Urban Tattoo Convention. His Vancouver-based tattoo shop, Birthmark Tattoos, became a hub for his exceptional work.
Beyond tattooing, Mayo is also a professional singer, songwriter, and musician. An outdoor enthusiast, he engages in activities like hiking, mountaineering, rock climbing, and a member of the British Columbia Mountaineering Club. His dedication to preserving traditional Filipino tattooing led him to Kalinga, Philippines, where he learned the traditional hand-tapping technique called “Batok.”
Mayo Landicho’s contributions to arts and culture have earned him the GAWAD SINING AWARDS in 2018. He has exhibited his work in various galleries, connecting with his roots and showcasing the rich tapestry of Filipino and Polynesian tattoo traditions.
I put my own twist on it pinoy style then fuse it with other styles like black and gray, colored, oriental, portrait, geometric, etc. I like to preserve and promote our dying tattoo practices especially while living abroad. I still practice the ritual of offerings and prayers before doing the Batok style, trying to be authentic and grounded to pay respect to our ancestors and the spirits of the land where I am.
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