'Dragon Edong:' Famous Pinoy tattoo artist in US-territory

GARAPAN, Saipan - Filipino tattoo artist Edward Elenzano, popularly known in the US Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) as "Dragon Edong," won a major award at the 2nd World Tattoo Arts Festival and Exhibition held in Bangkok, Thailand. Elenzano, 48, bagged first place in the main "Tattoo of the Day" category at the international tattoo arts festival held from May 16 to 18. His winning tattoo design is a portrait of his children Anne Gelica, 12; John Edward, 14; and John Mark, 20 -- done on the back of his wife Fe. "There were lots of talented tattoo artists and expert designs at the festival but nobody else did a portrait just like what I did," Elenzano told GMANews.TV in an interview at his studio. It took him three hours to get the winning tattoo design done at the festival, where he displayed a big flag of the Philippines and a miniature flag of the CNMI. The three-day event brought together some 50 tattoo artists from the United States, the United Kingdom (London), Japan, Italy, Singapore, Taiwan, New Zealand, France, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Hong Kong, Canada, and Norway to compete in 13 categories. Elenzano previously won in the "Best Dragon" category at the same festival when it was first held in Thailand in February 2006.

Hailing from Quezon City, Elenzano has become the most popular tattoo artist in the CNMI's capital island of Saipan since arriving here 20 years ago. Saipan is only about three hours away from Manila. He has received many awards for his creative tattoo designs. Tattoo shops and artists in the CNMI have come and gone, but Elenzano's Megavision El Drako Tattoo Studio has stood the test of time even if he has not been advertising his services. "I think it's the design and the way we treat our customers that we continue to be in business. We've been getting clients through word of mouth," said Elenzano, whose clients are mostly tourists to the CNMI, military personnel, and local residents. While body art is his main focus, he also accepts special orders such as mural paintings and airbrush painting, especially on automobiles. On Oct. 16 and 17, Elenzano will once again organize a Saipan International Tatu and Arts Festival, following a successful launching of the event last year. He will also be attending the International Tattoo Convention in the Philippines in December. For more information about this Filipino tattoo artist's designs, visit www.saipantatufest.com or www.eldrakotattoo.com. - GMANews.TV