GEC 006

A FILIPINO
HERITAGE
MOMENT

ARCH11S3

ANTONINO E. AGUILAR JR.

 APO WHANG-OD: THE LAST KALINGA
TATTOO ARTIST

From the Butbut tribe in Buscalan, Kalinga, Whang-od Oggay is

recognized as the last remaining mambabatok (Kalinga tattoo
artist). In the beginning of her lengthy career, she tattooed
head hunters from an indigenous tribe. She has been doing this
for the past 80 years.
The oldest tribal tattoo artist in the Philippines, Whang Od, is
the ideal representative of Kalinga's rich culture. Kalinga is a
province in the extreme north of the Philippines.

https://teyxo.com/lifestyle/the-story-of-whang-od-the-103-year-old-tattoo-artist/
THE KALINGA TATTOOS

The Kalinga warriors had to prove themselves in order to

receive their tattoos. These warriors are responsible for
defending their villages, even to the point of killing their foes. It
represents boldness and bravery to them. She also tattooed the
skin of tribeswomen; these markings are regarded as symbols of
grace and beauty.

https://theculturetrip.com/asia/philippines/articles/meet-apo-whang-od-the-last-hand-poke-
tattoo-artist-in-the-philippines/
WHANG-OD’S TATTOO

Charcoal and water are the main ingredients of Whang od's

tribal tattoo ink. Once combined, a thorn from a citrus tree,
either a calamansi or a pomelo, is used to tap it into the skin.
After that, the thorn is fastened to a bamboo stick that is 12
inches long, and Whang-od will begin tapping the stick into
your flesh.

https://teyxo.com/lifestyle/the-story-of-whang-od-the-103-year-old-tattoo-artist/
PASSING THE TRADITION

Whang-od never married. Whang od's relationship ended

during the Japanese colonization, and she hasn't sought
another since. Due to the fact that she is childless, she adopted
her two grand nieces, Grace and Elyang, to carry on the tribe's
tattoo legacy. She feels that she can only pass it down through
her family since the tattoo would become infected if it were
passed to someone outside the tribe.

https://theculturetrip.com/asia/philippines/articles/meet-apo-whang-od-the-last-hand-poke-
tattoo-artist-in-the-philippines/
The traditional tattooing technique used by
Whang-od is an illustration of the Intangible
Cultural Heritage of the Philippines; it
displays living expressions that were passed
down to her as a descendent from her
ancestors. Our lives are enriched and our
grasp of history is expanded by the
presence of Philippine heritage
represented in the buildings that our
predecessors erected, giving us a sense of
continuity. The presence of well-known and
stunning landmarks lends a sense of security
and timelessness in a changing
environment. The preservation of historic
buildings and landscapes safeguards the
nation's memory by preserving a piece of
its past, much like how we treasure
childhood toys or old photographs because
of the feelings they induce.

https://theculturetrip.com/asia/philippines/articles/meet-apo-whang-od-the-last-hand-poke-
tattoo-artist-in-the-philippines/