A 106-Yr-Outdated Tattoo Artist Is Vogue’s Oldest-Ever Cowl Star

  • Page Views 1049
  • Apo Whang-Od is a traditional tattoo artist from the Philippines.

    Vogue Philippines has unveiled the cover star for their April 2023 issue: 106-year-old traditional tattoo artist Apo Whang-Od. Also known as Maria Oggay, the Filipina centenarian will be the oldest person to grace the coveted cover of Vogue. With muted silver hair, the heavily tattooed artist cuts a striking figure with soft eyes and weathered hands that carried local traditions safely into the 21st century.

    Living in the mountainous village of Buscalan in the Philippines’ Kalinga province, Apo Whang-od started learning the indigenous tradition of hand-tapping tattoos when she was a teenager. A cultural icon in her own right, Whang-Od is considered to be the oldest, and perhaps the last, mambabatok (traditional Kalinga tattoo artist).

    Once reserved for warriors from the Butbut tribe, the tattoos held high cultural significance and had to be earned. Now, Whang-Od mostly works with international visitors, who make the long pilgrimage to Kalinga for her famous geometric designs. As long as people keep coming to get tattoos, she believes that the tradition will continue.

    On safeguarding the processes of Kalinga tattoo artistry, Apo Whang-Od told CNN Travel, “I’m the only one left alive that’s still giving tattoos. But I’m not afraid that the tradition will end because (I’m training) the next tattoo masters.”

    For several years now, she has been teaching her grandnieces Elyang Wigan and Grace Palicas how to create tattoos using only bamboo sticks, thorns from pomelo trees, water, and coal. The art can only be passed down to blood relatives, and Whang-od is training the next generation, just as her father once trained her.

    International celebrities shared and commented on Apo Whang-Od cover photo.

    Oscar-winning actress Halle Berry is the latest celebrity to praise the Vogue Philippines cover featuring Apo Whang-Od, who at 106 years old, is the oldest traditional Kalinga tattoo artist or “mambabatok.”

    “Now THIS is real beauty,” Halle Berry wrote on Instagram, as she reposted the cover of the magazine’s beauty issue.

    Top supermodel Naomi Campbell commented with three heart emojis, while “Saved by the Bell” star Mario Lopez wrote, “She’s awesome.”

    Meanwhile, Filipino-American comedian Jo Koy said that it is “the best Vogue cover ever.”

    “At 106 years old this Filipino icon is finally getting her flowers… Mahal kita APO WHANG-OD,” he added.

    Supermodel Gigi Hadid also reposted Whang-Od’s Vogue cover on her Instagram Stories.

    The said Vogue cover also made headlines in various publications abroad like CNN and NBC News.

    Whang-Od’s Vogue cover was unveiled in March and was met with instant praise and admiration from people across the world.

    Vogue Philippines’ cover featuring the oldest mambabatok made international news over the weekend, after it was uncovered that the 106-year-old Apo Whang Od is the oldest person the global magazine franchise has ever put on its cover. (bizleg.com; K. Tsao,GMA Integrated News)

    Caption: photo credit. Shop.vogue.ph; Apo Whang-Od, Gigi Hadid, Halle Berry, Naomi Campbell, Mario Lopez & Law Roach ( IG)

    Share

    New Posts Recently publish post More

    • 29 November 2023
      18 hours ago No comment

      LIZA LUCION RELEASES HER STATEMENT ABOUT THE ALLEGATIONS FILED AGAINST HER

      VANCOUVER, CANADA — After almost 2 years of silence, suspended Immigration Consultant Liza Lucion finally speaks up about the scamming allegations filed against her. Lucion’s name was all over social media back in 2022 when former clients of hers claimed they were scammed through an immigration program that does ...

    • 29 November 2023
      19 hours ago No comment

      PAL ADDS MANILA-TORONTO FLIGHTS

      Philippine Airlines (PAL) will introduce a third weekly nonstop frequency on its Manila – Toronto route starting April 5, 2024. The resulting 50% increase in capacity aims to meet growing travel demand to and from the Canadian East Coast region, as part of a long-term investment by the Philippine ...

    • 29 November 2023
      19 hours ago No comment

      Isabelle Daza meets Elvie Vergara, the helper allegedly abused by employers, to give the P1M collected from a fundraiser

      Isabelle Daza finally met Elvie Vergara! In an Instagram reel, Belle shared a video clip of her meeting with Elvie Vergara, the helper allegedly abused by employers in Mindoro. “Finally was able to give the money to Elvie Vergara herself. A total of PHP 1,000,000 in a Manager’s check…To ...

    • 29 November 2023
      19 hours ago No comment

      Kim Chiu, Paulo Avelino to star in PH adaptation of ‘What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim’

      MANILA — Kapamilya stars Kim Chiu and Paulo Avelino are set to star in the Filipino adaptation of the hit South Korean series “What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim,” which ABS-CBN aired back in 2018. ABS-CBN Entertainment and Viu are partnering for the local adaptation of leading entertainment company CJ ...

    • 25 November 2023
      5 days ago No comment

      Parliamentary secretary’s statement on Multiculturalism Week

      VICTORIA – Mable Elmore, Parliamentary Secretary for Anti-Racism Initiatives, has released the following statement in celebration of Multiculturalism Week, Nov. 19-25, 2023: “In the third week of November, people throughout British Columbia celebrate Multiculturalism Week. This is a chance for us to come together and recognize the diverse cultures ...

    %d bloggers like this: