PIERCINGS have long been a part of Philippine history. A simple trip to the museum and you’ll find earrings of gold from pre-colonial times, as Filipinos of all classes used to wear them before the Spaniards came. You’d also see them don panikas, pamarangas, and many other different kinds of plugs used for their earlobes.

After the country was colonized though, the view on piercings considerably changed. In many workplaces in the Philippines, they’re seen as unprofessional or inappropriate; some companies may even choose not to hire someone if they have plenty of piercings visible, even though this doesn’t say anything about one’s character.

Despite the negative stigma that may surround piercings, it hasn’t stopped people from getting them. Whether they use it for self-expression or as a form of release from negative emotions, these people just keep coming back for more when it comes to getting poked. 

Why they do it

Gabriel Uy, an 18-year-old 12th-grade student at the National University, got his first piercing when he was 17. He described the decision as an impulse that he found to be very much worth it in the end. 

He’s since added another piercing to his collection; at present, he has one lobe and his septum pierced.

“I felt more confident, and it falls in my brand and style,” he said. 

“It fits how I want to present myself to people. The moment I thought I looked prettier, I knew I’d try a new piercing again someday,” he added. 

Ariana Yang, a 19-year-old 1st-year student at York University, is currently sporting 11 piercings: six on her ears, four on her face, and one on her navel. 

What makes her come back is the pain: “It makes me look forward to experiencing something exciting.” 

Aside from that, she said she also loves the thrill and impulsivity that comes with getting pierced. She explained that once she has gotten used to what she looks like, she has to change something ASAP.

Jhasmine Pascual, a 21-year-old 3rd-year student at the University of Santo Tomas, said she enjoys getting pierced whenever she doesn’t feel good. 

“Pag na-feel mong na-overcome mo yung pain, may satisfaction,” she said. 

Meanwhile, Angelica Santiago, a 20-year-old 3rd-year student at UST, said she sees getting pierced as a confidence booster.

“It’s a form of self-expression and I like how it looks,” she said. 

She often does the piercings on herself; she currently has six on her left ear and three on her right.

“Piercing for me became my coping mechanism, a hobby, and a part of my style,” she said. 

Push through the pain

Pain is an inevitable part of getting pierced. While everyone’s pain tolerance may be different, they expect to feel at least a little bit of discomfort during the procedure. 

To overcome this, Pascual recommended just closing your eyes. 

Yang also said cold compresses and sea salt with lukewarm water may be your best friends during the healing process.

There will be judgment

And the pain doesn’t just stop at the physical; Uy recalled how his dad reacted negatively when he first got pierced, saying that it looked informal and that he should remove it because it looked cheap.

But he wasn’t deterred by his dad’s words. 

“I thought it was nonsense, and I expected this reaction from people who don’t have enough [of a] concept on things like piercings or tattoos,” he said. 

Pascual faced a similar reaction from her grandmother. 

“Nung nakita niya yung piercings ko, nagalit [siya] at sabi niya ‘mukha kang adik’ or ‘nag-aadik ka ba?’” she recalled. 

Yang often felt judgment from others as well, even at work. 

“I was working, and this Filipino customer told me I looked like a failure–that because of my piercings, I wouldn’t have a very good life,” she recalled.

For older generations, there’s still something taboo about piercings.

But Uy thinks that this manner of thinking is outdated.

In dealing with the situation, he said that he did his best not to let his dad’s judgment affect him. 

“Most likely, it was ingrained na sa kanila to have this conservative mindset, even though it’s completely different na nowadays,” he said, 

Yang says that she’s gotten used to the judgment of others because their insults are probably coming from a place of insecurity or concern.

“Maybe they’re just not used to it and somehow they project it,” she said.

“Nonetheless, their reaction doesn’t equate to who I am as a person, considering I’m not hurting anyone,” stressed. 

Get ready to pay

Uy got pierced by his friend at Her Pierce. His lobe piercing cost P350, while his septum piercing cost him P600. You can also check out our article on other notable piercers in the PH. 

Prices always differ from piercer to piercer as well. For example, Angelica Dalogdog, a 22-year-old student at Adamson University, often gets pierced by Tatay Recto. She rarely ever pays anything above P200 for her piercings. 

Yang, on the other hand, spent around P500 to P1,000 on piercings when she was still in the Philippines.

By her estimate, she has shelled out around P9,500 for all her piercings, not counting the ones on her lobe that she did herself. 

You only live once

Don’t be afraid to take the plunge if you want to get poked with a needle. Other people’s opinions should not be a hindrance, said Uy. 

“If it’s just about what people have to say about you because you have a piercing, it’s complete nonsense, kasi their opinions don’t matter,” he said. 

“There are some who will admire how you look because of it, and the only thing you must think about is how you feel about yourself. Just own it! And if you’re scared sa pain, just remember to get a good, trusted piercer,” he added. 

If you’re not confident doing it alone, Yang said you could bring a friend to get you through it. 

She said that during most of her piercing sessions, she had a friend by her side–whether it was someone who would get a piercing too, someone just there for moral support, or someone to record her as she got stabbed in the face with a needle.

She jokingly added: “Most importantly, piercings make you look gayer, which is a win-win situation.”

And of course, you must be 100 percent sure about your choice to get pierced. 

While it may be fun to see piercings as a quick impulse decision, these require months of aftercare. In the words of Pascual: “‘Di biro pag na-pierce ka na, tapos ayaw mo pala.”

Meanwhile, Santiago simply said: “It’s worth the pain, hun.”