Sigue-Sigue Commando Gang
Founder of the group: Arturo Balinbin.
At first the group was composed of twenty two persons and they
called themselves the 22 commandos.
Tattoo symbols:
- SSC
- Black Panther
- Alegre (might come from the Spanish language meaning "happy")
- Commando
- Three dots
- Swastika with bend lines in a half circle
- Motto: "Do or Die"
Do you know if Boy Paco (Francisco Lopez) is one of the members of sigue sigue commando?
Posted by: Theresa Artillero | January 28, 2012 at 12:27 AM
I thought BABONG ROQUE is the founder of SSC?
Posted by: sammy | November 05, 2010 at 02:43 PM
alegre is a surname of the tattoo artist in manila city jail JUN ALEGRE is his real name
Posted by: mac mac | May 28, 2009 at 08:00 PM
Good day! I'm looking forward of meeting you one day because i am about to have a study on the major gangs in the Philippines and I believe that you are one of the people who have enough knowledge and resources with regard to these gangs.
Posted by: MAP | April 28, 2009 at 02:53 PM
Hi Sydney. welcome back to the world of blogging. I have not visited your site for sometime. Anyway, I will e-mail you when I am in Manila for coffee and conversation. I have a new blog on Marinduque
http://marinduqueonmymind.blogspot.com
Posted by: David B Katague | October 28, 2008 at 03:34 AM
So which group did you join? ;-)
Posted by: Ashish Sidapara | October 16, 2008 at 07:57 PM
Hi Sidney welcome back...this is Haze ! I am glad you're back blogging.
I like tattoos but I'm afraid to do it. The thought of needle makes me tremble. Wait were you able to finally go to prison to have these wonderful pictures?
BTW, just change my URL though to http://frenchtaglishaze.blogspot.com find out why :D !
Posted by: haze | October 16, 2008 at 07:04 PM
The dot thing is pretty common here too.
So sad such a cut creature can be a symbol for a gang
Posted by: Doris | October 16, 2008 at 03:35 AM
This is a good and informative post about gangs in the Philippines.
Have you heard of Akyat Bahay?
Posted by: Shoshana | October 16, 2008 at 02:59 AM
yay! you're back! fascinating new series you have here! looking forward to seeing more photos
Posted by: johanna | October 16, 2008 at 12:16 AM
Tu nous montres des bandes dessinées
Posted by: Gérard Méry | October 15, 2008 at 05:39 PM
I'm not able to get tattoos. I am very afraid of pain.
I am very glad for your return. Greetings.
Posted by: Ricardo | October 15, 2008 at 05:25 PM
Those are interesting marks. Each one must have its own significance.
Posted by: Rach (Heart of Rachel) | October 15, 2008 at 04:28 PM
Gangs or groups identification are not limited on tatoos. Some groups use body burns or simply called "burns" to show their affiliation. Similar to a mark of a cow or a bull to signify its owner.
They mostly use a cigarette or pre-heated coin as a tool and place it usually in the arm or shoulder.
Posted by: Tito Boy | October 15, 2008 at 03:44 PM
To Zhu:
For Hispanic gangs three dots mean:
"Mi vida loca." My crazy life.
But alas I am not sure it has the same meaning here in the Philippines. But it is clearly a sign they belong to the Sigue-Sigue Commando Gang.
Posted by: Sidney | October 15, 2008 at 10:28 AM
What's the meaning of the three dots? Do you know?
I heard that it meant that one spent time in jail... not sure.
Symbols are fascinating.
Posted by: Zhu | October 15, 2008 at 09:57 AM
hello sidney,
im sorry for not visiting for awhile ,but IM VERY HAPPY to see you back blogging :) by the way thanks for the visit and comment...
take care!
Posted by: eden | October 15, 2008 at 08:47 AM
Am I mistaken or do those guys really mean business?
Posted by: pieterbie | October 15, 2008 at 05:47 AM
Truly fascinating! I've never seen something like this before.
Posted by: AC | October 15, 2008 at 05:27 AM
I'm very impressed by the image of your last report. I imagine that these men are proud to show you their tattoos.
Posted by: Still | October 15, 2008 at 04:56 AM
You know these remind me of the Hispanic gangs we have around here. They all have Tattoo's and they enjoy showing them off. They always have words across their backs or chest.
Posted by: Doris | October 15, 2008 at 02:44 AM
I thought there are only gangs as such in America and not Pinas. This is an eye-opener, definitely.
:)
Posted by: Kyels | October 15, 2008 at 02:13 AM
Hey Sidney,
How can I join the Sigue-sigue. Does one need to be an inmate in order to join? Or do they have outside members? Do they have membership fees? If not, how do they manage to exist? maybe they have patrons? Sorry for these questions, I you just struck the curiosity in me heheheh
Tattooing is an old tradition in the Philippines. Pigafetta, the friar-historian in the Magellan expedition, called the Visayan warriors "pintados" because of their tattooed bodies.
I love this series of yours. I think you broke grounds in blogging with this very powerful photographic document.
Congratulations, I'm proud to be your friend!
Posted by: dennis | October 15, 2008 at 02:09 AM
Very interesting post on the gangs and there tattoo's will be back later today to read more of your posts
Posted by: JJ | October 15, 2008 at 01:10 AM