At some point in our lives, we all wanted to get tattooed, whether it was to proclaim our independence, profess eternal love, prove that one isn’t chicken, fit in, or just be different.

We know you’ve always wanted to bare your tattoo, and we want to hear your story.

Share a good-resolution photo of your tattoo and tell us, in 150 words or less, the story behind the tat. The PinoyCentric team will pick the best three tattoo stories, and the winners will get a special edition Pinoycentric T-shirt. Contest ends April 17, 2010 (Philippine residents only). Now go and get that tattoo you’ve always wanted and tell us about it!

Image: Wanderlust by Leon B. Dista. © All rights reserved

Canvas, a nonprofit organization that promotes Filipino arts and culture, is calling out for entries to the Romeo Forbes Children’s Storywriting Competition.

Entries may be in English or Filipino, not more than 1,600 words, and should not have been previously published. The theme of the stories should center on an untitled piece painted by CCP Thirteen Artists awardee Don Salubayba (see photo above). The winning entry will receive a P35,000 cash prize and will be published as a full-color book by Canvas.

Last year’s winner of the Romeo Forbes story-writing was Fernando Gonzalez, whose story “Mga Huni sa Loob ng Kawayan” was based on an oil painting by Juanito Torres.

Previous winners include Palanca awardee Becky Bravo, whose story “The Rocking Horse” was inspired by Elmer Borlongan’s painting; Rowald Almazar, whose entry “Si Lupito at ang Baryo Sirkero,” was based on a work by Jose Santos III;  fiction writer Fernando Rosal Gonzalez, who wrote “Ang Batang Maraming Bawal” from a painting by Rodel Tapaya; and Eline Santos, whose “Doll Eyes” was inspired by Joy Mallari’s painting.

Now on its sixth year, the storywriting competition was named after award-winning artist Romeo Forbes, who succumbed to cancer in 2006. Forbes had a prolific career as an artist, winning the 2000 Asia-Europe Young Artists Competition, the 1998 Instituto Cervantes art competition, as well as other contests by Petron, Shell, and the Asian Development Bank. Along with some artists, he pioneered the Malate-based visual-literary group Artery.

For contest rules and details, read the Canvas blog.

To the lovers and the hopeful, here’s balladeer Richard Poon’s version of the classic Rey Valera song, “Kahit Maputi na ang Buhok Ko.”

And to you all, for loving us and wanting us back–happy Valentine’s Day!

Kung tayo ay matanda na
Sana’y di tayo magbago
Kailan man, nasaan ma’y
Ito ang pangarap ko . . .

Makuha mo pa kayang
Ako’y hagkan at yakapin, hmm
Hanggang pagtanda natin
Nagtatanong lang sa ‘yo
Ako pa kaya’y ibigin mo
Kung maputi na ang buhok ko . . .

Pagdating ng araw
Ang ‘yong buhok ay puputi na rin
Sabay tayong mangangarap
Nang nakaraan sa ‘tin . . .

Ang nakalipas ay ibabalik natin, hmm
Ipapaalala ko sa ‘yo ang aking pangako
Na ang pag-ibig ko’y laging sa ‘yo
Kahit maputi na ang buhok ko . . .

No one could have said it better than the late senator and national hero Benigno Aquino Jr., who, in a 1975 letter from prison, told his son Noynoy, “There is no greater nation on earth than our Motherland. No greater people than our own. Serve them with all your heart.”

Today, Ninoy Aquino Day, remember Ninoy and Cory’s love for the Filipino by wearing something yellow or lighting a yellow candle. Or if you happen to be on the road between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m., switch on your hazard lights to symbolize the yellow spark.

To read Ninoy’s three-page letter to Noynoy, click here.

Image: “Rest in Peace, President Aquino” by Oebanda

NEW YORK – Imelda, a bio-musical about the rise and fall of former first lady Imelda Marcos debuting on September 22, stars an all-Pinoy cast and is the first Filipino-themed production to be run off Broadway.

Playing the first lady notorious for having more than 3,000 pairs of shoes is Jaygee Macapugay, whose theater credits include Miss Saigon (Kim) and Jesus Christ Superstar (Mary). Other members in  the cast are Mel Sagrado Maghuyop as Ferdinand Marcos, Liz Casasola as Corazon Aquino, Brian Jose as Benigno Aquino, Jr., Alan Ariano, Angelica-Lee Aspiras, Billy Bustamante, Leanne Cabrera, Loresa Lanceta, Jonelle Margallo, and Romney Piamonte.

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Bring your kids to Museo Pambata on Thursday, August 20, Ninoy Aquino Day. The museum has lined up a show-and-tell activity and film showing to educate kids on the life of this national hero who served his country well. Children will also learn to make Ninoy’s famous glasses in an arts-and-craft session. Activity starts at 10 a.m.

Other activities this month at Museo Pambata include the following:

• Book on the Spot features Apolakus (August 22, 10 a.m.). Interact with Alice Mallari, author of the children’s book Apolakus, which tells about a boy who loves to perform magic tricks. Enjoy a day of storytelling and arts and crafts and see original illustrations from the book done by Leo Agtuca.
• The Dentist Is In (August 28, 10 a.m.). Dr. Celian  Teng demonstrates how to keep teeth healthy and strong.
• Linggo ng Wika sa Museo Pambata (August 29, 2 p.m.). Celebrate the glory of the Philippine language with a balagtasan and sabayang-bigkas presentation by the Museo Pambata Child Advocates.
• Haraya Storytelling Hour (Saturdays, 10 a.m.). Volunteer storytellers from the Aliptaptap Storytellers Philippines share exciting stories from your favorite Filipino children’s books.

Museo Pambata is located at Roxas Boulevard corner South Drive, Manila. Museum hours are Tuesdays to Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission fee is P100 for children and adults. Discounted rates apply for group tours. Free entrance on Tuesdays for Manila residents with valid IDs and 50% on regular days. Call (+632) 523 1797 and 98 and (+632) 536 0595 for inquiries.

Image: Diamonds in the Soles of Her Shoes