Tattoo Lover Endured Exorcism By Priest Because Of 'Daemonic Style' Inkings

She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of San Carlos, where the student population displayed their individualism in extremes.

DeeDee's first tattoo was a simple tribal design on the back of her neck.

However, she became immersed in the culture after learning about the rich historical value and worldwide import of tattoos in the Philippines and elsewhere.

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DeeDee has spent over 150,000 pesos (£20,000) tattooing 60-70 percent of her body, including her eyeballs, over the last 12 years.

Her tattoos, except her stomach and legs, took over 200 hours to complete and cover her whole body.

DeeDee has 12 facial piercings in addition to her tattoos, which she considers to be one continuous interconnected work of art.

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In the Philippines, being a heavily modified, LGBT, non-binary person poses significant obstacles.

DeeDee was exorcised of the demon by a priest on public transportation, and she frequently has people quote bible verses at her for her or their own 'protection.'

"I got my first tattoo during my emo goth college phase, mainly due to peer pressure," says DeeDee.

"At first it was a fashion stance and later it evolved into an outlet for me.”

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"When I felt extreme emotion or suffered from bouts of depression or anxiety tattoos became my coping mechanism.”

"It did not last very long, and I underwent rehab to overcome my depression, but tattoos became a permanent form of expression for me.”

"I got permanently invested in them when I did a course on art appreciation and learned the rich historical significance of tattoos.”

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"However, being a heavily modified, gay, non-binary person in the Philippines comes with undeniable challenges.”

"I have spent my adult life advocating against tattoo discrimination and things have slowly gotten better however, that is not always the case.”

"On one memorable occasion, I had just boarded the public bus in the Philippines, when a priest on board saw me, raised his hands, and started chanting.”

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"He was trying to exorcise the devil from me and as we were in a bus full of passengers it caused quite a scene."

"In the Philippines, it is a challenge still, I am to this day regularly verbally abused on the street," she says.

"However, there is a change noticeable, there are careers that the heavily modified can apply for and thrive in.”

"There was a time when you would not get a face-to-face interview with a visible tattoo and that has changed.”

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"There had been incidents where it was difficult to get government IDs or apply for the police force.”

"It's tolerated here, but I wouldn't say that it's fully accepted, just as homosexuality is tolerated but not accepted.”

"It is difficult as the Philippines are mostly Catholic conservative population.”

"The stigma stems from the fact that once you are tattooed you're either a drug addict or from prison."

DeeDee believes that social media has had the largest impact on the acceptance of extensively changed individuals in Philippine society.

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"I have (number) followers on TikTok, (number) followers on Facebook, and (number) followers on Instagram," she says.

"My social media presence has become so much so that people recognize me on the streets now.”

"I believe the internet and western influence has led to increased acceptance of the modified community in the Philippines.

"However, the internet still being the internet I get my fair share of hate on it.”

"I would say 60% of the comments I receive are positive, however, I do have people quoting bible verses at me.”

"Or negative or nasty comments about me, my parents, siblings, friends, etc."

Image: mediadrumimages.com/@thedeedeevi