The Philippines - The Painted Ones

The Philippines has always been a kaleidoscope of awe-inspiring colours and cultures, but when the origins of the country’s artistic inclinations are traced back to its roots, the saliency of its lengthy history of the venerated art of tribal tattoos cannot be underestimated.

- Yong Xin Ni Elyssa

Whang-od Oggay, also known as Maria Oggay, is a Filipina tattoo artist from Buscalan, Tinglayan, Kalinga

DID YOU KNOW?

Apo Whang-od Oggay (Maria Oggay), born February 17th, 1917, is the only remaining mambabatok, or Kalinga tattoo artist.

The 1,000-year-old art of traditional tattoo lies in the hands of 104-year-old Whang-od Oggay, the last remaining mambabatok from the Kalinga tribe in the Philippines.

Whang-od entered the trade at 15, when her father discovered her talent and potential. Traditionally, only males were allowed to learn the art but her father made an exception. Since then, Whang-od has only taken in female apprentices to continue her legacy.

The sheer number of foreign and local tourists that have been, and still are, willing to make the arduous journey into the depths of Tinglayan, southern Kalinga for the remote village of Buscalan just for a chance to be personally tattooed by the famous mambabatok, Whang-Od Oggay, is a testament to the deep appreciation the world has for the ancient art of the Philippines’ traditional tattoos, known as batok.

Mambabatok is the title given to traditional tattooists of the Kalinga people and as the oldest of them, Marie Oggay, better known as Apo WhangOd, is the undisputed icon of the Philippines and its batok. At 104 years old, she has earned her place as the oldest tattoo artist in the Philippines and remains active to this day.