LOOK: Filipina celebrities with eye-catching and empowering tattoos on their hands and arms
Many individuals get tattoos on different parts of their bodies, whether it's for aesthetic purposes, commemoration of a life event, or other personally significant reasons.
In particular, many Filipina celebrities have proudly inked themselves on their hands and arms, serving as lasting reminders of who they are as humans and what life is for them.
In line with International Women's Month, here are Filipina celebrities whose tattoos are not only eye-catching but also empowering.
Arci Muñoz
Arci Muñoz is a big fan of Japanese culture. She has a cherry blossom tattoo below the area between her thumb and index finger, and in 2020, it became a full-circle moment when she admired sakura trees in Tokyo.
Arci also has a kitsune mask on the area above her left elbow. It's a Japanese creature with shapeshifting abilities, and she said that as an actress, she's a shapeshifter with the different characters she portrays.
Arci is also fond of South Korean culture. As a member of ARMY, K-pop sensation BTS' fandom, she has four heart tattoos on her wrist inspired by its compilation albums Love Yourself (Her, Tear, Answer, Wonder).
Her right arm, meanwhile, has an inscription of the Korean phrase "hwaiting" or "fighting" in English, a means of cheering someone up.
Ultimately, as a Filipino Catholic, she has two tattoos on the side of her wrists: a cross-shaped rose and a pink infinity symbol. These images become more pronounced when she clasps her hands to pray.
Cristine Reyes
Cristine Reyes' right forearm showcases a rosary tattoo, acquired in California in 2010.
What sets it apart from the usual rosary designs is that the beads form the infinity symbol.
The crucifix also has a halo-like design.
Heart Evangelista
Heart Evangelista has a befitting red heart tattoo on her left wrist.
Born Love Marie Ongpauco, she also has a handwritten "Love" tattoo beside it, penned by none other than her husband, Senate President Chiz Escudero.
She also has a red line tattoo on her pinky finger that looks like the red string of fate. In Japanese and Chinese folklore, it refers to an invisible red string that keeps two people in true love connected—from the man’s thumb to the woman’s pinky finger—no matter what happens.
Her right wrist, meanwhile, has a black dandelion tattoo. The flower symbolizes hope, healing, and resilience.
Kylie Padilla
Kylie Padilla has the word "Freedom" tattooed on the side of her left hand.
She previously talked about wanting to get a freedom tattoo, saying, “I want to get a freedom tattoo. Then I want to live it."
Louise Delos Reyes
Louise Delos Reyes has the word "faith" tattooed on the side of her left wrist.
Aside from the religious meaning, it also suggests bravery and self-confidence. In an Instagram post, Louise shared a photo of her "faith" tattoo with the caption, “Sometimes your only available transportation is a leap of."
In 2019, she got a "This too shall pass" tattoo on her left wrist.
Later on, she also got a plant tattoo just above the expression.
Maxene Magalona
Maxene Magalona paid tribute to her late father, the legendary rapper Francis Magalona, with her debut tattoo.
She had the words "la fille à papa," or "daddy's girl" in French, followed by a heart drawing on her left wrist.
In an interview with ABS-CBN's Magandang Buhay in 2023, Maxene explained that she got it in 2010, during his dad's death anniversary.
"I want to remember his love for me," she said. "Ang naisip ko, parang si Papa lang talaga ang magmamahal sa akin nang tunay."
She noted that it was in French because her dad's nickname was Frans. Putting it on her wrist also means her seeing it constantly.
To make it even more poetic, Maxene had the tattoo done by Francis M's tattoo artist.
Maxene also said she's "obsessed" with Hello Kitty and had the Japanese pop culture icon's ribbon tattooed on her right wrist.
"When I see Hello Kitty, she brings me so much joy," she said. "The simple things in life are the most important ones."
Maxene recalled staying in Bali for a year during the pandemic and having three symbols tattooed on her forearm: the third eye, heart, and manipura chakras.
"I was finding myself, I was connecting more to myself," she said. "These are the different energy centers we meditate on... It reminds me of my time in Bali, how I became more spiritual."
Shaira Diaz
Shaira Diaz has been an advocate of self-love—and a self-confessed ARMY.
In 2021, she got a heart tattoo on her left wrist. But it's not just any heart, as it's the design specifically found on Love Yourself: Answer.
She also has a purple outline heart tattoo in the area between her thumb and index finger. Purple is associated with the group.
Days after getting the Love Yourself-inspired tattoo, Shaira wrote in a Facebook post, "Reminder to everyone, always be kind and love yourself."
