Vinta Inks

“Burnt Sugar [Arnibal1856]” pays homage to the sugar syrup or Arnibal commonly used in ‘Taho’,a delectable soy drink that is a classic staple among Filipino street snacks. On cold,rainy afternoons in particular,Taho is the perfect snack to warm yourself up with.

Sugar cane farming in the Philipines predates the Spanish colonial period, but it was first industrialised n1856

This ink has an enticing dark brown base topped with a delicious amount of  gold shimmer

“Marbles[Holen1946]” is inspired by the introduction of marble games or ‘holen ’during the American colonial period. The game was instantly popular and took off well among Filipino children as it could be easily played,rain or shine.

The year 1946 marks the end of American occupation in the Philippines

The ink has a dark-blue grey, with a sprinkling of bright blue metallic shimmer

“Overcast Blue[Badya1865]”is inspired by the country’s National Metereological and Hydrological Services Agency. It has a longer official name but is usually refereed to by its acronym,PAGASA,which also means ‘hope’ in Tagalog.

The agency’s history can be traced all the way back to 1865 when it began under the Observatorio Meteorologico de Manila, now the present-day Manila Observatory

This ink has a stunning teal-blue base, overlaid with a fine curtain of gorgeous gold shimmer 

“Rain shower [Amihan1901]” is a nod to the reorganisation of the Manila Observatory into ‘The Weather Bureau ’.

For nearly 45 years, the Weather Bureau had been active and famous in international expositions and scientific expeditions; It continued to be well-known for its accurate typhoon forecasts and scientific works in the fields of meteorology, geomagnetism and astronomy.

The ink has a crystal clear aqua blue base, smatted on top with a light gold shimmer

“ When It Rains [Tuwing Umuulan 1980]” is a tribute to the hit love song “Tuwing Umuulan at Kapiling Ka”.Celebrated for its timeless sound and lyrics, this song conveys the sheer joy of being with your loved one on a rainy day.

This song was originally recorded in1980 by Basil Valdez and composed by Ryan Cayabyab who is regarded as one of the pillars and icons of Original Pilipino Music (OPM).

This romantic ink has a dusky, bright red base with a fine layer of silver shimmer on top

“Apex Silver [Haribon 1994]” is inspired by one of the world’s rarest birds of prey, the Great Philippine Eagle, also known as the Monkey-Eating Eagle or by
its native name, Haribon. This magnificent bird is endemic only to the Philippines and was declared ‘critically endangered’ in 1994.

This ink is a marvelous grey with the faintest tint of purple and green, overlaid with the most brilliant silver shimmer. This color evokes the elegance of this apex predator.

“Elusive Blue [Tandikan 2000]” is inspired by the Palawan Peacock-Pheasant. This spectacularly vivid forest-ground bird features prominently in the culture of the indigenous people of Palawan. The bird is also depicted in the official seal of the
city of Puerto Princesa. Classified as ‘vulnerable’ in 2000.

This ink is a mysterious and enthralling shade of blue overlaid with a pretty, pink shimmer.

“Liquid Sepia [Isabela 1999]” is inspired by the Philippine Freshwater Crocodile, also known as the Mindoro Crocodile. This species of crocodile is endemic only to the Philippines with the largest known population being in Isabela, San Mariano. Officially recognized as a separate species in 1999.

This is a sepia-toned ink with subtle shades of pink and a gorgeous gold shimmer. This color pays tribute to the raw earthiness and beauty of the Philippine Crocodile, an ancient symbol of power, femininity and the divine.

“Sailfin Green [Ibid 1829]” is inspired by the The Philippine Sailfin Lizard also known as the
Soa-soa Water Lizard, Crested Lizard or by its native Philippine name, ‘Ibid’. It is an oviparous lizard endemic to the Philippines, New Guinea and some parts of Eastern Indonesia. It was first discovered in 1829.

This is a light-hearted and playful green ink with a subtle sheen of brown, topped off with an electric blue shimmer.

“Solitary Teal [Nahan 2010] is inspired by the rare Pygmy Blue W hale, a subspecies of the
blue whale found in the Indian Ocean and the Southern Pacific Ocean. The last sighting of
this majestic animal in the Philippines was in Bohol, 2010.

This is a delicate teal ink overlaid with hidden depths of light green, overlaid with a fine silver shimmer. This color is reminiscent of the sparkling glints of light on the ocean.

Based on the Lola Basyang story “Ang Binibining Tumalo sa Hari”, wherein a slave’s daughter, Sharay, overcomes a King’s many challenges with wit and cunning in order to win the prince’s hand in marriage. 1950 is the year when the Lola Basyang radio drama show became popularized.

“The Maiden” is a gorgeous pink with faint nuances of brown-purple, overlaid with a dazzling gold shimmer.

This ink takes its name from the Lola Basyang story “Kapatid ng Tatlong Maria” wherein a young boy is tasked by his dying father to search for his long-lost sisters who were taken away from their family as divine punishment. 1861 is the year Severino Reyes, the writer of the Lola Basyang stories, was born.

“Sea and Sky” is a light bluish teal, reminiscent of the sea. It is overlaid with an earthy red shimmer.

This color is inspired by the Lola Basyang story “Kastilyong Gawa sa Bakal” which is about a young princess trapped in an iron castle by an evil sorcerer and the brave prince who rescues her. The year 1958 is when the Sampaguita Pictures released the first Lola Basyang film.

“Clouds of Gray” is a gray-toned ink with brown and purple nuances, flecked with a beautiful gold shimmer.

Inspired by the Lola Basyang fairytale, “Prinsipe ng mga Ibon”, this ink captures the story of a beautiful princess named Singsing who transforms into a bird to be together with her lover, Prinsipeng Ibon. 1949 is the year when the Lola Basyang comics were first printed and released.

“Plume” is a lovely bright purple ink with deeper blue undertones and a pale pretty pink shimmer.

This color is based on the Lola Basyang fairytale, “Rosamistica” wherein a kind-hearted orphan girl is mystically rewarded for giving away her only coin (a 25 centavo) to a starving mother and child at the fair. 1925 is the year when the Lola Basyang stories first appeared in the Tagalog magazine “Liwayway”.

“Mystical Eve” is a purplish black ink with hidden depths of deep green, overlaid with a fine shimmer.

Seasonal Christmas Inks (Available only from Oct-Dec)

In 1908, Francisco Estanislao created a Christmas lantern that people started calling a "parol." Parol comes from the Spanish word "farol" which means "lantern." The Parol is an irreplaceable Christmas icon that decorates nearly all Filipino households. It symbolizes the bright star that led the Three Kings to a newly born Jesus.

Seasonal Collection (30ml)

“Vesper Blue [Bisperas 1669] is inspired by the Filipino tradition of “Simbang Gabi” which is a devotional, nine-day series of Night Masses attended by Catholics in anticipation of Christmas. The last day falls on Christmas Eve, which is then called “Misa de Gallo”
(Spanish for "Rooster's Mass"). The first Simbang Gabi was held in the year 1669.

This ink is a brilliantly luminous blue with a vivid, red sheen and a glorious amount of gold shimmer.

Vigan, Ilocus Sur is a UNESCO world heritage site renowned for its Spanish-Filipino architecture and terra-cotta / red clay craftsmanship.

Damili is the Ilocano term for molding. Over the years, it has become a family tradition to pass down the knowledge and artform to the younger generation and that is why today there is still a thriving community of damili producers in the region. 1572 is the year the Spanish colonizers first explored this region in the northern part of the Philippines

Ochre will be the first color that will come to mind when describing the Miag-ao Church, in Iloilo. This unique façade is due to the combination of materials—including eggs and limestone---used for its construction in 1797. 

Apart from being a UNESCO heritage site, it is also known as a Fortress church. Built on the highest vantage point to guard from invaders, its thick walls were built especially to protect the town of Miagao against the frequent Moro invasions during that time.