Cancel

Open app

Search

Katribu Tatu

5.0 (10 reviews)
ModerateTattoo, Piercing
Closed 1:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)

By appointment only

Services - Katribu Tatu

Gauging or stretching

Piercing

Tattooing

Katribu Tatu Photos

Recommended Reviews - Katribu Tatu

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

gee b.

LOVE MY NEW HAND TAPPED TATTOO!!! Jonathan and Jean are awesome! When you're locating this place if you take grab or taxi make sure you look upstairs when you get dropped off and factor in time cause it's a busy street and traffic is crazy in the PI. Anyways, the tattoo process was simple. A few tender spots that hurt a little more than others, but yes it is less painful than a traditional gun tattoo. (that's how it felt to me!! Everyone is different) It was a lot faster than I thought it would take with it being hand tapping, but both of them are professional and are really talented at what they do. The shop is a little small, but super cozy. They clean and sterilize the work area and are super friendly overall. I would definitely recommend their services for hand tapping tattoos. They're great with replying and usually get back to you the same day. Can't wait to visit the Philippines again for my next tattoo!! The first picture attached is the day of, will post a healed photo when it's fully healed!!

Dedicated to my brother.  "Ang aking kapatid na lalaki tagapagbantay" meaning "My brother's keeper" in Baybayin script.

Jean and Jonathan are great people and dope tattoo artists! No prior ink work done but I knew I always wanted a traditional hand tapped tattoo. Did some research while I was on vacation here and found them online! The article specifically stated to contact them at least two weeks in advance so I thought my chances were pretty low when I only had a week left of my trip. Jean responded promptly and said they were willing to see me! Most of our communication was via IG message but that didn't seem to be an issue: Jean asked the necessary questions of what I was looking for, the size, the meaning, gave an estimate of pricing and we were on our way. My appt was at 3 pm but I suggest getting there earlier because everyone knows traffic sucks on the PI and we couldn't find the shop initially because it's on the second floor. They were so welcoming! She went over what I was looking for again, translated it from English to Tagalog to Baybayin, drew it and stenciled it out within one hour. The tattoo itself took roughly two hours. Be prepared, it WILL hurt especially the location I chose, but Jean was so reassuring through it all: she frequently asked if I was okay, offered me and my brother some good coffee, asked if I needed to take a break and made great conversation to provide a distraction from the pain. This tattoo means so much more to me. Not only is it my first one, but I got it in my native country, traditionally. From California, thank you so much Jean and Jonathan for squeezing me in on such short notice and your hospitality! You guys were the highlight of my trip. You will definitely be seeing me in the future again :)

Albert D.

Amazing tattoo artists and couple who run a very welcoming shop that makes you feel at home from start to finish. Kuya Jonathan and Ateh Jean are an amazing duo who put in serious work but also can make you laugh and smile. They made me feel better as I endured the 8 hour session of pain with their wonderful stories and intellect. If you're ever in Manila and want a tatu who were trained and blessed by the legendary Whang-Od please visit Katribu Tatu!!

Johnathan at work

Katribu Tatu is an amazing tattoo shop that's operated by such talented artists! Since they're appointment only, I contacted them around two weeks before I was in the Philippines and was able to secure one. The shop itself is situated in a tricky place as there is limited parking around the area. Keep this in mind if you are planning to take your own vehicle. From preparing the stencil to the actual tattooing process, Johnathan was extremely careful and meticulous. He took his time to make sure that everything was perfect. As others have mentioned, the sensation of a batok tattoo is different from that of a tattoo gun. Personally, I think it's less painful. The healing time was also extremely fast compared to a traditional gun tattoo. Overall, I had such an amazing experience at Katribu. Johnathan, Jean, and little Bagani, the shop dog, welcomed me and my family members with such warmth. They made us feel comfortable and relaxed throughout the entire process. They're the only tattoo shop that offers batok in Metro Manila so I definitely recommend checking them out!

Dennis E.

They were great! It was difficult to get ahold of them and make an appointment but I'm glad I did. Hand tap tattoos are much less painful and the healing time is a fraction of regular tattoo machines. If you're a tattoo person, you have to get one of these!

See all

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

7 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of gee b.
98
92
16

7 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

7 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

7 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

7 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Dennis E.
10
239
260

8 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Melle M.
251
19
9

7 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

Review Highlights - Katribu Tatu

Kuya Jonathan and Ateh Jean are an amazing duo who put in serious work but also can make you laugh and smile.

Mentioned in 7 reviews

Read more highlights

Verify this business for free

People searched for Tattoo 437 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

Verify this business

Vice Ink - After

Vice Ink

4.7(3 reviews)
4.0 kmMakati City
₱₱₱

I got my first tattoo three months ago…read more It was a dare. Really. I mean, I've always wanted to have a tattoo, but I was always afraid of the pain. And the needles. And the blood. My friend and I first went to the place on a Saturday morning. We knocked and waited for someone to open the door. Some guy then told us that we would have to set an appointment if we wanted our tattoos done in the morning. It was Monday and our appointment was set. I was panicking and needed to calm my nerves. The tattoo artist, Marlon Capuno, was still on his way to the shop. So while my friend was busy talking to some guy who was drawing our tattoos, I went out to have a smoke. Thirty minutes later, my friend told me it was time to get inked. I noticed right away that the place was clean. Marlon wore gloves and showed me the new needles he was going to use. He was very professional and confident,but didn't brag about those he inked before. Getting the tattoo wasn't that painful. I only got a small star. Marlon reminded me to keep breathing and not to panic. My friend got her tattoo and almost passed out from the pain. Marlon had her lie down for a few minutes. I guess there's nothing these tattoo artists can do to ease the pain. You just gotta toughen up. Am I going back for more? Of course. And I'm getting a bigger one. And yes, I'll still have Marlon ink me.

I got my tattoo done at Vice Tattoo on Jan/20/18. A little background, I got a tattoo of a cobra…read morewith "SWIFT*DEADLY" above it when I was young and in the US Marines, seemed like a good idea at the time. 5 years later I am thinking that I don't want that on my arm anymore, 15 years after that I had a red line put through it and had "SLOW*SARCASTIC" tattooed about it. Funny change but looked stupid so started thinking about a cover up tattoo. I spoke to artists over the years but while here in Philippines I decided it was time to go for it. I looked at on-line reviews of artists in the Manila area and saw that Marlon at Vice Tattoo was listed in the top 5 of most of them. I sent him an email with my current tattoo and a picture of an image that I liked. Marlon asked me to come in for measurements. I went to his shop and he told me that he could do it but it would be larger than I described in my email. I asked Marlon to prepare a drawing that would be the actual size. Marlon asked for a p2000 deposit but I was not convinced that I wanted to do it and offered p700 which he accepted. My cover tattoo would be a US Marine Corps image (EGA) with American flag background which I knew he was not familiar with so I was very clear on my instructions. The first couple images that he emailed me were not correct which was partially my fault. The US flag was the wrong direction for the right arm and North and South America were inverted on the globe. I was beginning to feel uncomfortable about him understanding my request due to his less than perfect English skills. Hey this is the Philippines and Tagalog is the national language so I really cannot complain. My sweetie is Filipina who translated my instructions and we got the image banged out in no time. It is a good idea to take someone that speaks Tagalog with you. Marlon may understand just fine but don't just expect him to understand precise details in English. Marlon asked that I bring my lady with me when I got the tattoo so he could speak with her and make sure that it is perfect for me. I got the big dark colored tattoo on my arm now and it is healing. I am anxious to see it once it is healed so that I can make a 100% observation and opinion but for now I am happy with it. Looking over other reviews I see there are mixed opinions. One person said that he uses a heavy hand and fast strokes. This is true, he had the gun cranked up and it was painful. Not enough pain that I wanted to quit but it was uncomfortable. Big tattoos are going to require some patience and tolerance. Also he was about an hour late for the appointment but during that time his apprentice worked hard at creating the overlay of the image and even had to redraw a couple times to get it to my requirements. When Marlon arrived the overlay had been transferred to my arm. I could see in the mirror the size and layout of the tattoo. We discussed the cost of the tattoo and he quoted me p10,000 and did not increase the price after I asked to add on some letters under the tattoo. I feel that the price was reasonable but keep in mind too that I had my lady with me discussing all of this so was not just a foreigner in the shop. Although I saw it in another review, I cannot even speculate whether or not he charges foreigners extra but I will guess that he does not do that. Now he did charge me p900 for three small packages of lotion. That was way overpriced but I paid it. Not going to argue over $18.00. Take a tube of triple antibiotic ointment with you from your country if you plan to get a tattoo in the Philippines, it is like $4.00 USD and you are not going to find it in a Manila pharmacy. At least I did not see it here. I was impressed with Marlon's awards, achievements and also the appreciation letters for being at judge a various tattoo competitions. Marlon has several books with pictures of his past work. These are good for determining his skills. A tattoo is going to be on your body forever (unless you get a cover tattoo like me) so do your research and don't make a fast decisions. I am happy with the work Marlon did. He did most of the work free hand from the drawing and was able to change the overall look so that I was not stealing someone else's tattoo. I would recommend Vice Tattoo to anyone and will honestly say that it was a good experience and I am happy with my tattoo.

Photos
Vice Ink
Vice Ink - Before

Before

Vice Ink - After product

See all

After product

Republic Tattoo - My tat by Republic

Republic Tattoo

4.0(2 reviews)
5.6 kmSan Juan City

You know what they say about getting a tattoo -- it's a huge commitment, it requires a lot of…read moremental preparation and strength of will, etc etc. Yes, to all of that. You're basically altering the biggest organ you've got, so yes. So apart from all the mental preparation that YOU have to do for yourself, one of the biggest things you have to work on is finding the right shop to get your ink. A quick checklist would look something like -- What are their sterilization procedures and equipment? Who are the artists in that shop? What is their reputation in the tattoo world? (Yes, that tells you a lot.) How much does a tattoo cost per inch? And so on. When i was getting ready to get my second tattoo, I didn't automatically go to the one that made my first -- his schedule was always full. I wanted to go somewhere where the artist/s can take their time and really work on your design and make you feel at ease (because they are, too!). So i went through that checklist again, and decided on Republic Tattoo in San Juan. They were very easy to talk to from my first inquiry, had a good reputation, and were very helpful about translating my friend's design for me on to something that would work well as a tattoo. The inking went off without a hitch -- except for the small matter of me forgetting to NOT be hungry before the session and almost blacking out from combined hypoglycemia and pain, and they had to get me a can of soda to chug right away to bring my blood sugar levels back up (thanks for recognizing the signs, guys! Haha.). Everything was clean (they had ultrasonic cleaners, dry heat sterilizers, and autoclave machines!), the artist had a good, steady, light hand -- and banter! -- going. All in all it was a great, memorable experience -- which is exactly what getting a tattoo should be, pain and blood and all. PS. Not that it should matter more than safety and skill, but their artists are award-winning vets with their own specializations in style. Don't forget to ask them about it :)

I got my first tattoo in Republic Tattoo about 5 years ago and I still remember it clearly. I still…read moreremember what I ate for dinner with my friends before we all headed to the place to get our tattoos (FYI it was steak, home-cooked by one of my awesome friends). I still remember what I was wearing that night (because the ink that oozed out of my fresh tattoo hours later ruined that shirt). I still remember getting a small order of salami from the Santi's downstairs. I remember walking into the tattoo studio with my mind fixed on the design that I wanted to get . I remember the first plunge of the needle that pierced my back. I remember the lights going out in the place, and the building's security guard came running to announce that there was a street-wide blackout. Of all the days that the street's main electric transformer would mysteriously stop working, it had to be on the night when I got my first ever tattoo. Weirdly enough, I don't even remember the name of my artist. I just remember his strokes to be very deliberate and consistent, and it was such a therapeutic and nice sensation that I got hooked on getting inked from that day on. I would wait another 2 years to get my next tattoo, but that great first-time experience really made a good impression on me. (In case you're wondering, no, I'm not showing you the tattoo that I got. I didn't know what I was thinking. I was 19 and stupid.)

Katribu Tatu - tattoo - Updated May 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...