Kalinga’s Living Treasure Apo Whang-od turns 109

Tabuk City, Kalinga – With Legendary and Kalinga’s very own, Apo Whang-od marking her 109th birthday today, February 17, the Municipality of Tinglayan underscored her contribution in the province goes beyond art.

Born on February 17, 1917 in Buscalan, Apo Whang-od had since mastered the art of traditional hand-tapping tattoos or ‘batok’. She began practicing the traditional art since she was a teenager until her art and name broke out not just in the Philippines but across the globe, drawing thousands of visitors and tourists to come see her and get inked by her in her village in Buscalan.

Promoting the Kalinga cultural heritage and helping preserve indigenous culture through her craft, Apo Whang-od earned the Presidential Medal of Merit in 2024 and the prestigious Dangal ng Haraya Award in 2018.

In an interview on February 17, Tinglayan Mayor Charles Abay expressed his good wishes for the oldest and the last mambabatok of her generation for her 109th birthday. He expressed that Apo Whang-od’s contribution is not limited to art as she safeguarded and helped preserve an indigenous art and strengthened cultural tourism in Tinglayan.

“Haan lang nga in-safeguard ni Apo Whang-od iti traditional art, nag-create met lang isuna iti opportunities for communities through tourism ken isuna met lang maysa mang-in-inspire kadagiti kabataan tayo tapnu i-value ken i-preserve da daytoy nga heritage tayo. Isu nga happy birthday ken Apo Whang-od tayo, your life is our pride, and your legacy is our heritage,” he said.