At 106 years of age Apo Whang-Od has become the oldest model to appear on the cover of Vogue - and is credited with keeping the art of batok alive.
Philippine Apo Whang-Od is one of the world's oldest traditional tattoo artists. Born in 1917, Whang-Od hails from the Kalinga tribe, a mountainous region in the northern Philippines. She began practicing the art of traditional tattooing, known as "batok" or "batuk," at the age of 15 and has since become an icon in the world of tattoo art.
Whang-Od's unique style of tattooing involves using a "thorn" or "bamboo needle" to create intricate designs on the skin. She mixes soot and water to make black ink, which she then applies to the skin using the needle. The process is painful and can take hours or even days to complete, depending on the complexity of the design.
Her designs are often inspired by nature and Kalinga culture, featuring symbols such as rice terraces, ladders, centipedes, and snakes. Each tattoo is unique and holds a significant meaning for the person receiving it. For the Kalinga people, tattoos are a way of expressing identity, status, and cultural heritage.
Whang-Od's talent and dedication to her craft have gained her international recognition. She has been featured in numerous documentaries, magazines, and news articles. In 2018, she received the Dangal ng Haraya award, the highest honor given to Filipino artists, for her contribution to the preservation of traditional Kalinga tattooing.
Despite her age, Whang-Od continues to tattoo, passing on her skills to the younger generation. She has trained her grandnieces, Grace and Elyang Wigan, in the art of batok, ensuring that the tradition lives on. She also welcomes visitors from all over the world to her home in Buscalan, Kalinga, to receive a tattoo and learn about Kalinga culture.
Apo Maria “Whang-Od” Oggay symbolizes the strength and beauty of the Filipino spirit.
— Vogue Philippines (@vogueph) March 30, 2023
Heralded as the last mambabatok of her generation, she has imprinted the symbols of the Kalinga tribe signifying strength, bravery & beauty on the skin.
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