A tattoo artist in Ilocos Norte has organized a campaign for a child born with no skull after learning that the boy’s father had landed behind bars.
Mark Torres, a tattoo artist based in Laoag City, organized a four-day "Tattoo for a Cause" fundraising campaign for two-year-old boy.
The child was diagnosed with "anencephaly," a rare condition where infants are born without a skull.
Torres first learned about the baby through news about the child's father who was arrested in a buy-bust operation.
"Actually, una kong napanood yung tatay niya, kasi yung tatay niya is naging subject siya ng buy bust operation — drug buy bust operation," Torres said.
Intrigued by the father's story, Torres got curious and confirmed the information further.
"Eh kako sa sarili ko, hala eh pano yung anak neto, kako, eh yung nagta-trabaho lang pala sa pamilya nila ay yun lang na lalake, namumulot siya ng bato [at] gumagawa ng uling eh tapos nasangkot siya bigla sa ganung sitwasyon ng kanyang buhay," Torres said.
The child was born on October 22, 2022 in the provincial hospital of Laoag City.
His mother said her son's condition was entirely unexpected but it was heartbreaking for her when doctor's told her that her son might not survive long when born.
"Bale po hindi na ako nabigla [nung niluwal ko po siya], kasi 10 weeks [ko] palang sya nong pinagbubuntis ko pa [siya], sinabi na ng doctor, pero hIndi ko in-expect na mabubuhay siya kasi sabi ng doctor pag lumabas na siya mamamatay din kaagad... ang sakit-sakit po ng pakiramdam ng ganon," she said.
ART INTO ACTION
Unable to ignore the plight of the child’s family, Torres decided to act.
"Hindi na ako nagpatumpik-tumpik... sabi ko, 'Ma magpapa-tattoo for a cause tayo,' kako, isasakpripisyo namin yun," Torres said.
Despite initial uncertainties, Torres was determined to push through.
"Wala akong pakialam kung walang pumansin oh ano, kaya ayun pinush namin," he said.
He was surprised by the public's response.
"Nagulat ako nung pinost ko yun after ilang minuto lang bigla siyang nagva-viral, andaming nagsha-share nung post ko," he added.
His friends in the tattoo industry also started their own fundraising activities, and the event garnered support from the community.
He tattooed 44 clients during the campaign, not including the other clients that the other artists handled.
There were even others who just handed out cash.
"We didn't expect na ganun kadami yung pupunta, yung susuporta, yung magpapa-tattoo, yung gustong tumulong sa pamilya ni Ate Lilidel," Torres said.
The accumulated funds raised reached around P150,000.
The other tattoo artists who helped were Ronel Casugay and Louie Rivad from Cabugao, Robie Yadao, Joseph Ching, and John Levi from Batac; and, Ding Crist and Timothy James from Laoag.
FUNDS
To ensure the funds reached the child’s family directly, Torres sought out the baby’s mother, avoiding third-party involvement to prevent potential scams.
"Ayoko po kasing kumontak ng ibang mga tao — kasi ayaw ko naman na mai-scam kami," he said.
"Nalaman pa namin na yung GCash account na-hack, kaya kako hindi pwedeng mag-transact tayo ng cash online, dapat 'to i-abot natin ng personal," he added.
After continuous efforts, Torres eventually reached the child’s mother and they decided to meet in person.
"Sobrang naagpapasalamat po ako [kay Sir Mark], kasi malaking tulong po sa pagpapagamot ng baby warrior namin [yung naibigay nilang pera]," the boy’s mother said.
The boy is set to undergo surgery at a hospital in Ilocos Sur.
CALL TO ARTISTS
Torres started his journey with tattoos at the age of 17 in 2006, driven by a deep passion for hardcore art.
Instead of confining his art to paper or canvas, he found his canvas in people.
Reflecting on the early years, Torres recalled facing discrimination for his heavily tattooed appearance, even being shunned on public transport.
"Dati sasakay ako ng jeep parang nilalayuan ng tao kasi heavily tattooed din ako," Torres said.
However, he observed a shift in societal acceptance over the years, and tattooed individuals are no longer met with the same prejudices — somehow.
That journey led him to an opportunity to help others.
Torres said artists hold the power not only to create art but also to make a positive impact on the community.
Even with challenges faced by the art community, he said artists must persevere and create pieces infused with love.
"Lagi niyong sipagan, lagi kayong gumawa ng piyesa kalakip yung puso tsaka pagmamahal... huwag titigil, huwag tatamarin, laging magsipag, pero wag pababayaan yung sarili, at siyempre dapat ay meron tayong matimbay na pananampalataya sa Diyos," he said.
He believes that artists can contribute in many ways.
"Pwede tayong makatulong sa maraming paraan, hindi lamang sa pinansyal, makakatulong tayo una syempre sa panalangin, makakatulong tayo by moral support, makakatulong tayo sa pagiging aware natin sa mga bagay-bagay na nangyayari sa paligid natin. Pwede tayong makatulong para bigyan sila ng knowledge ang ganito ay hindi ganyan o ang ganyan ay hindi ganito," he added.
