When Filipino-Canadian filmmaker Kent Donguines moved to Canada, he felt his Filipino identity slipping away from him. This prompted an immediate decision: to travel back to the country of his birth and rekindle a fading cultural identity. Once there, he discovered that he was not alone in that search. The Philippines hosts a mosaic of arts and practices that, despite centuries of colonization by the Spanish, Americans, and Japanese, have persisted into the modern age. One of the most significant components of this Filipino identity comes from the controversial tradition of tattooing, an art form systematically banned by colonists until Filipinos themselves condemned it.

Travelling to the secluded mountain community, Donguines observes the history and symbolism of Kalinga tattoos from its most renowned artist, 108-year-old Apo Whang-od. With insight from tattoo historian Lars Krutak and Apo’s foremost apprentice, Grace Palicas, this documentary traces the evolution of a sacred tribal practice to an international sensation, covering topics from heritage and hospitality to tourism and “tattoo-mania”. Moreover, it shines a spotlight on Filipino art as a whole, exploring how fields such as design, fashion, tattooing, and cuisine communicate with one another. Donguines delves into the sense of pride and belonging that many Filipinos around the world experience, bringing hope that no matter how far you are from home, your identity and culture are never truly lost.