Legendary tattoo artisan Whang-od celebrates 104th birthday

Famed Kalinga "mambabatok" (tattoo artist) Apo Whang-od celebrated her 104th birthday last Tuesday.

Contrary to common belief, the Dangal ng Haraya awardee was born on March 7, 1919 based on her birth certificate, not February, Radyo Natin Tabuk clarified as their news team visited Whang-od during her birthday celebration.

Whang-od is considered a cultural icon and game-changer in tattooing artistry that earned her several recognitions aside from the Dangal ng Haraya Award given by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) in 2018, including:

•1st Natatanging Kalinga Award (Province of Kalinga, 2023)
•Top Centenarian Awardee (National Commission of Senior Citizens, 2022)
•1st Hiyas Award for Indigenous Art (Cultural Center of the Philippines, 2022)
•Certificate of Recognition (MLGU Tinglayan, Kalinga, 2018)
•Echaychayaw Jen Be-Shya Cordillera (Department of Agrarian Reform-Cordillera, 2018)
•Certificate of Recognition (PLGU Kalinga, 2017)
•Bantayog Award (Junior Chamber International, 2017)
•Outstanding Community Leadership Award (Community Transformation for Development Foundation, 2017)
•The Outstanding Filipino TOFIL Awards Honoree for Arts and Culture (Ansa Foundation, 2017)
•Certificate of Recognition (Police Regional Office-Cordillera, 2017)
•Plaque of Recognition (Kalinga Police Provincial Office, 2017)
•Philippines Finest Women for Outstanding Contribution in Arts (Philippine Honorable Queens)

Whang-od's nomination for Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA) is ongoing.

RN Tabuk also praised all the women for their contributions as part of the celebration of International Women's Month this March. (Gilda Cortel Chico/Radyo Natin Tabuk)