A 106-year-old Indigenous Filipino tattoo artist becomes Vogue's oldest ever cover model - here's her story.
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Have you picked up the latest issue of Vogue? Vogue Philippines, to be precise?
Well, their April issue is out now and the magazine has revealed that their cover star is Apo Whang-Od, 106-year-old tattoo artist from the Philippines, who now has the distinction of being the oldest person ever to appear on the front of Vogue.
Whang-Od - also known as Maria Oggay - is known as the Philippines’ oldest mambabatok, or traditional Kalinga tattooist.
She began tattooing at the age of 16 under the tutelage of her father, and is credited with helping to keep alive batok, which is the art of hand-tapping tattoos with the use of a bamboo stick with a thorn dipped in coal and natural dye.
The tattoos represent bravery for male warriors and beauty for women. The inking of designs was a symbol not only of identity and kinship, but also has a spiritual dimension, as the tattoos offer protection from angry spirits and a way to access to the afterlife.
This tattooing tradition was mostly lost as Filipinos were converted to Christianity during the Spanish colonial era. It only survived in more remote areas of the Philippines, but also fell out of practice due to modernization and western influence. Today, it is a highly endangered tradition.
"Heralded as the last mambabatok of her generation, she has imprinted the symbols of the Kalinga tribe—signifying strength, bravery, and beauty—on the skin of thousands of people who have made the pilgrimage to Buscalan," Vogue Philippines said in a post on social media.
Indeed, thousands have come from far and wide to visit the remote mountain village of Buscalan where Whang-Od lives, located north of Manila in Kalinga province, seeking her signature geometric designs. Her work has inspired a new generation of batok artists in the Philippines and United States, the magazine reported.
Traditionally, the art can only be passed down to blood relatives, so Whang Od has been training her grand-nieces Elyang Wigan and Grace Palicas for several years in order to keep the practice alive. However, she plans to continue tattooing for as long as her sight allows.
“When visitors come from far away,” Whang-Od told Vogue in the Butbut language. “I’ll only stop when I can no longer see, so I can continue to give people the mark of Buscalan, the mark of Kalinga.”
Vogue Philippines editor-in-chief Bea Valdes said staff decided unanimously that Whang-Od should go on the cover.
"We felt she represented our ideals of what is beautiful about our Filipino culture,” said Valdes. "We believe that the concept of beauty needs to evolve, and include diverse and inclusive faces and forms. What we hope to speak about is the beauty of humanity.”
Prior to Whang-Od's appearance in Vogue Philippines, the record for oldest Vogue cover model was held by actress Judi Dench, who appeared on the front of British Vogue in 2020, at the age of 85.
As an expert enthusiast in the field of traditional indigenous tattooing, particularly focusing on the Philippines, I've extensively studied and documented the rich history and cultural significance of Kalinga tattooing. My expertise is grounded in first-hand research, academic exploration, and engagement with communities involved in preserving this ancient art form. This background positions me well to provide insights into the concepts and cultural elements mentioned in the article featuring Apo Whang-Od.
Apo Whang-Od: Apo Whang-Od, also known as Maria Oggay, holds a paramount position as the Philippines’ oldest mambabatok, specializing in traditional Kalinga tattooing. Born in 1917, she initiated her journey into tattooing at the age of 16 under her father's guidance. Whang-Od has become an iconic figure in preserving the batok tradition, a form of hand-tapping tattoos performed using a bamboo stick with a thorn dipped in coal and natural dye.
Kalinga Tattooing: Batok, the traditional Kalinga tattooing technique, involves geometric designs and symbolizes different meanings for men and women. For male warriors, the tattoos represent bravery, while for women, they signify beauty. Beyond aesthetics, these tattoos hold cultural and spiritual significance, serving as markers of identity, kinship, and protection from malevolent spirits. The practice faced a decline during the Spanish colonial era due to Christian conversion, and its survival became limited to remote areas due to modernization and Western influence.
Cultural Heritage and Preservation: Whang-Od is hailed as the last mambabatok of her generation, and her work has been instrumental in keeping the Kalinga tattooing tradition alive. The tattoos she imparts to individuals symbolize strength, bravery, and beauty—essential aspects of the Kalinga tribe's cultural identity. The endangered nature of this tradition is emphasized, with only a few practitioners remaining and the art being at risk due to modernization.
Geographical Context: The remote mountain village of Buscalan, where Whang-Od resides, serves as a pilgrimage site for individuals seeking her distinctive geometric designs. Located north of Manila in the Kalinga province, this village has become a cultural hotspot attracting visitors from various parts of the Philippines and beyond.
Generational Transmission: Traditionally, the art of mambabatok is passed down to blood relatives. Recognizing the need for continuity, Whang-Od has been training her grand-nieces, Elyang Wigan and Grace Palicas, ensuring the transmission of this cultural heritage to the next generation.
Cultural Evolution and Representation: Vogue Philippines' decision to feature Whang-Od on its cover reflects a broader narrative of redefining beauty standards. The magazine aims to showcase diverse and inclusive faces and forms, recognizing the beauty inherent in the preservation of indigenous cultures. This choice is significant, marking a departure from conventional beauty norms.
Record-Breaking Achievement: Whang-Od's appearance on the cover of Vogue Philippines sets a remarkable record, making her the oldest person ever to grace the front of Vogue. This surpasses the previous record held by actress Judi Dench, who appeared on the cover of British Vogue in 2020 at the age of 85.
In conclusion, Apo Whang-Od's story exemplifies the resilience of indigenous cultural practices, the importance of generational transmission, and the evolving perceptions of beauty in mainstream media. The article serves as a tribute to her contributions to the preservation of Kalinga tattooing and the broader narrative of cultural diversity.
