About Apo Whang Od
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| photo credit : |
She's probably the main reason why people from all over make the trek to this little village called Buscalan in Kalinga. She looks far more younger than her actual age, and at 95 years old, Whang Od is keeping her people's tradition of "batok" (tattoo) alive. But it was Apo Whang-od’s father who taught her the art and skill of batek at 18. Today, Apo Whang-od is 95 years old and holds the highest recognition of being the only surviving master of traditional Kalinga batek. Whang Od (or Fang Od) is from the Butbut tribe of Kalinga. Nowadays most refer to her as the "last mababatok of Kalinga" (last traditional tattoo artist). Although many may argue that there are still living tattoo artists in Kalinga, she certainly is the most known figure still practicing the art.
Whang Od's Kit
Whang Od's kit comprised of pine soot and water for the ink and a citrus thorn for the needle. The needle is attached to the end of a small stick. Whang Od uses a hand tapping method, similar to other traditional tattooing methods, but with the distinction of "back-handing" the stick. |
| photo credit: TRAVELTRILOGY |
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| photo credit : TRAVELTRILOGY |
Whang Od Tattoes
Gone are days of headhunting and tattooed warriors. The tattoos were once reserved for the bravest of warriors - those who actually killed enemies in combat. Today some of the traditional marks are tapped into the skin of those who make the pilgrimage to Buscalan. Certain patterns are still reserved for the warriors.
A pattern is laid out first on the skin using a thin grass stalk to mark the lines. Whang Od then starts to methodologically tap along the lines. The thorn runs through the stenciled design from a thin blade of dried grass. It bleeds the skin until the ink from the soot of burned pinewood gets into its desired lucidity.Just like any other tattoos, the process is bloody and stingingly painful. But it is the rhythm of the tapping sticks that induces natural anesthesia as Apo Whang-od brings you into the trance of the Kalinga tattoo.
It may take two or more passes before Whang Od is satisfied that the pattern have been properly etched. Sometimes the tattoo can be done in one sitting, but most often the tattoo recipient comes back after a few hours or the next day for the finishing touches.
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| photo credit : LANTAW |
Beauty, Humor and Temper
She stands in a slender frame but her toned body speaks otherwise of her age. Even with the inevitable wrinkles, the contours of her face show a pretty highlander lady. Whang-od loves to chitchat and her toothless chuckles are contagious. But whenever she is not in the mood, she really gets grumpy and even calls off any scheduled tattoo.Whang Od Next Generation
There is hope that the art will not be lost when Whang Od's generation of tattoo artists is gone. Nowadays, 19 year old Gelles ("Grace") is picking up the craft from her great aunt (Whang Od is single). Apo Whang-od is training her sister’s granddaughter Grace to be her successor. Today, Apo Whang-od remains to be the last mambabatok as Grace’s future in continuing the tradition is yet undetermined. |
| photo credit : LANTAW |
Recognition
Both local and foreign media companies have released many documentaries about Apo Whang-od over the past 10 years. Social and cultural anthropologists study her works closely and these are the only valid links everyone could get in the outside world. But it is the social media that really catapulted her to instant fame. Despite all of these, a fitting national recognition is not yet conferred, as more studies are needed to validate how her works have panned and how it will be sustained. Today, more strength the call of all people and other artists to honor Whang Od as a National Artist.Source : LANTAW by Allan Barredo, TRAVELTRILOGY by Pot Pot , KMJS
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