WHANG-OD

OGGAY
“APO WHANG-OD”
Who is Whang-od?
BIOGRAPHY OF WHANG-OD
Maria Oggay, or Whang-od Oggay, is a well-known tattoo artist in the Philippines'
Kalinga region. She began her tattoo career in the past eight decades, earning her
the title of "last" and "oldest" mambabatok. She is a member of the Kalinga ethnic
group, namely the Butbut tribe. She was born on February 17, 1917. She never
settled down to start a family, therefore her traditional tattooing skills are carried
on by no direct heirs.

Whang-od represents the batok (hand-tapping) tradition of his people. She has
tattoos all over her body, and all of them have distinct meanings and designs.

Even though she's 105 years old, Whang-od is still inking tourists from other
countries and the Philippines. In the year 2018, she was honored by the National
Commission for Culture and the Arts with the renowned Dangal ng Haraya
Award.
 “APO WHANG-OD” AND HER CRAFT
Whang-od is a Kalinga tattoo artist who learned the craft at 15 years old from
her father. The people in Kalinga, call the process of tattooing, “batok.” For her
work, Whang-od makes use of Kalinga designs which represent strength and
power. In their culture, tattoos were also seen as a symbol of maturity, fertility,
and beauty for women. Every design has a symbolic representation that is
believed to protect and endow power to those who are inked. Despite tourists
not being locals, she continues to ink them as she believes that everyone should
be protected and to feel powerful. There are 20 tattoo designs in which
individuals could choose from during their session with her.
WORKS OF WHANG-
OD
 Mediums and Techniques
Apo Whang Od has a unique way of marking tattoos. She has 20
designs you can choose from. Each design has a meaning — for
protection, direction, and for long life. She makes her own ink
from charcoal and water. Her needles are made from dried thorns
from the trees, fastened to a bamboo stick. Her own way of
drawing on the skin is by tapping the needle in a fast proper way,
putting the right pressure so blood will not burst. At the age of
103, her hands are still very firm, steady, and strong and she can
tap 100 taps in one minute. As it sounds, perhaps a test of your
pain tolerance.
 Why have you chosen Whang-od?
Whang-od is a living representation of the traditional art of
tattooing. She deserves a GAMABA for maintaining Filipino
tattoo art after decades of foreign intervention. Whang-od began
pambabatok in childhood. She designed badges for brave soldiers
who earned their tattoos. Whang-od continues to pass on her
knowledge and experience to the current generation in his or her
community, teaching them to reach her technical and creative
standards. Whang-od's GAMABA award celebrates traditional
art's grace and Filipino tradition. Without a doubt, Whang-od is a
true Manlilikha ng Bayan.
 What about their work or their story have
struck you the most?
It is certainly impressive how committed Whang-od is to maintaining
traditional Kalinga tattooing and passing on her knowledge to the following
generation. Her dedication to maintaining cultural heritage in the face of
modernization and shifting cultural views is admirable. Whang-od's level of
expertise in her field is also outstanding. She has spent her whole life
perfecting a traditional art form, honing her abilities over many years to
become a revered expert. Last but not least, Whang-od's tale serves as
evidence of the tenacity of cultural legacy and the significance of conserving
and transferring ancient customs. Her experience serves as a reminder that,
even in a world that is continuously changing, cultural traditions are
important and ought to be preserved.
Distinguishing Whang-od from other artists /
artisans:
1. Cultural Significance: Whang-od's tattoos have deep cultural importance
since they depict traditional Kalinga motifs and symbols that signify
significant junctures in a person's life. Her tattoos are a special way for her
to exhibit her culture and connect to the Kalinga people's rich cultural
history.

2. Traditional Manner: Whang-od employs time-honored Kalinga tattooing

methods that have been handed down through the generations. She does
elaborate tattoos with a hand-tapped bamboo needle and charcoal ink that
are strongly influenced by the Kalinga people's cultural customs.
Distinguishing Whang-od from other artists /
artisans:
3. Longevity and Expertise: Whang-od is regarded as a master of the
Kalinga tattooing art and has been performing the technique for more than
80 years. Her perseverance and expertise are proof of her commitment to
and love of classical art.

4. Cultural Preservation: Whang-od is committed to maintaining the

traditional tattooing practice, and she has made steps to pass on her
expertise and skills to the following generation. She serves as a vital
connection to the Kalinga people's cultural history and works to maintain
the practice of the ancient art form for future generations.
 References
• Dumaraos, G. (2017). Meet apo Whang-od , the last Kalinga artist in the Philippines. Retrieved from
https://theculturetrip.com/asia/philippines/articles/meet-apo-whang-od-the-last-hand-poke-tattoo-artist-in-the-philippines/
• Hutton, B. (2018). The last tattooed women of the Philippines’ Kalinga tribe. Retrieved from
https://www.anothermag.com/art-photography/10962/the-last-tattooed-women-of-the-philippines-kalinga-tribe
• Lago, A.T. (2021). Who is Whang-od, legendary tattoo artist. Retrieved from
https://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/arts-culture/things-to-know-whang-od-legendary-tattoo-artist/
• Popa, L. (2020). The story of Whang-od: The 103-year-old tattoo artist. Retrieved from
https://teyxo.com/lifestyle/the-story-of-whang-od-the-103-year-old-tattoo-artist/
• Redfern, C. (2018). Whang-od: The last tattoo artist. Retrieved from https://www.tatlerasia.com/lifestyle/arts/whang-od-the-last-tattoo-artist