She is 106 and her whole body is in tattoos! This model surprises us with its vitality
The 106-year-old Filipino woman and renowned tattoo artist Apo Whang-Od has created history by becoming the latest Vogue Philippines cover model.
Whang-Od has gained notoriety for her traditional tattoos and has tattooed more women than men despite the outlawment of traditional headhunting (which served as a rite of passage for men who engaged in this practise).
The most significant aspect is that she is now sharing all of her expertise to preserve her culture and art.
With Apo Whang-Od, alias Maria Oggay, as its newest cover girl, Vogue Philippines has created history. She is a 106-year-old native Kalinga woman and renowned tattoo artist from the Buscalan mountain community.
Since she was a teenager, Whang-Od has been practising the ancient tattooing method known as batok, which requires only a sharp stick and charcoal soot. She is a great inspiration to many due to her talent and commitment to her craft, which have earned her international acclaim.
Along with putting Whang-Od on the map, her reputation has also served to raise awareness of the sleepy rural community of Buscalan. She receives visitors from all around the world who are tourists and tattoo lovers, which helps the local economy flourish.
The finest part is that Whang-Od shares her talents with others by teaching Grace Palicas and Elyang Wigan, her grandnieces, so that the traditional art of mambabatok would live on.
Apo Maria «Whang-Od» Oggay, according to a tweet from Vogue Philippines, «embodies the resilience and splendour of the Filipino people.» She is the last mambabatok of her generation and has expertly imprinted on people’s skin the Kalinga symbols for beauty, strength, and courage.
Even though she currently only signs off with a three-dot signature on her grandnieces’ tattoos, Whang-Od has no intention of giving up her trade anytime soon. She stated in a Vogue interview that she plans to continue doing tattoos as long as she is able to do it.
In the Butbut language, she also stated her readiness to share her artwork with tourists travelling from a distance, saying, «When visitors come from afar, I will give them the tatak Buscalan, tatak Kalinga for as long as my hands can handle it.»
Bea Valdes, editor-in-chief of Vogue Philippines, revealed that the staff unanimously agreed to place Whang-Od on the cover. One of their beliefs is the beauty of Filipino culture, which they feel Whang-Od exemplifies.
Valdes believed that variety and inclusivity should be part of the definition of beauty, and they wished to emphasise the beauty of humanity with this cover.
The record for the oldest Vogue cover model was previously held by Judi Dench, who made an appearance on the cover of British Vogue in 2020 at the age of 85. Whang-Od’s appearance on the cover of Vogue Philippines shattered that record.
This accomplishment only strengthens Whang-Od’s reputation as a key player in upholding the batok heritage and showcasing the splendour of Filipino culture.
