TABUK CITY, Kalinga — The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) conferred on Apo Whang-od, Kalinga’s oldest living tattoo artist, the “Dangal ng Haraya” award on Monday.
NCCA Executive Director Virgilio Almario turned over the award to Whang-od here, witnessed by local officials led by Kalinga Governor Jocel Baac and Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy.
Maria “Whang-od” Oggay, who is over a century old, is a “mambabatok” (traditional Kalinga tattooist) from Barangay Buscalan in Tinglayan town, Kalinga.
She does the art the traditional way, by using a wood attached with a thorn from a citrus tree, and ink from natural dye and soot. She tattoos without any chemical anesthetic.
In the certificate given by NCCA, Ina Whang-od received the Dangal ng Haraya Pamanang Bayan (Intangible Cultural Heritage) for her “contribution for the promulgation and preservation of Butbut Kalinga traditional tattoo known as ‘batok” or ‘Whatok’ and engendering greater attention and awareness to Philippine traditional art practices and intangible cultural heritage in general.”
According to Kalinga folks, the Butbut tribe is a group of warriors, where the men are entitled to get a tattoo once they win a battle against other tribes, as a recognition of their bravery.
“Ina Whang-od is highly regarded in her community as well as by many Filipinos and the international community as a master Mambabatok or tattooist,” the NCCA cited.
The agency noted that her art is not only prominent in Kalinga and in the Philippines.
“(She is also) recognized internationally for her tattoos, as other Filipinos and foreigners visit her, fascinated by the ancient practice with hospitality connected to her family history. She is always amiable and gracious, welcoming and accommodating villagers and visitors alike,” the NCCA noted.
Whang-od’s neighbors in Barangay Buscalan regard her with respect and pride. She is by heart an artist, who is also an outstanding chanter and dancer, they said.
Among the tattoos she has created are traditional designs and patterns that reflect the Kalinga people’s view and philosophy in life, particularly their concepts of life cycle, the community, and the beauty of their surroundings.
Almario said Whang-od and the art she continues to pursue is a treasure that must be preserved.
“(It is an) indispensable and irreplaceable treasure we must preserve. Let us celebrate the accomplishment of Whang-od,” he said.
“Her traditional artistry contributed to the increased awareness about the Kalinga culture and I believe had made impact and contribution to the Philippines’ culture and arts,” Baac, for her part, noted. “Local and international tourists flock to her house to get inked with the traditional Kalinga designs.”
At present, Whang-od does the tattooing with her grandnieces, continuously training and passing on the cultural heritage to them. (Pamela Mariz Geminiano/PNA)
