Tinglayan LGU to tourists: "Respect Kalinga traditions" after viral report of foreigner asking for tattoo on his penis

TINGLAYAN, Kalinga — The Tinglayan Municipal Local Government Unit (LGU) has reminded tourists to respect Kalinga cultural traditions after reports circulated on social media that a foreign visitor allegedly requested to have a tattoo placed on his intimate body part by renowned mambabatok Apo Whang-od.

Recognizing visitors’ appreciation of Kalinga’s traditional batok, the municipal government stressed that the practice is more than a tourist attraction or a form of body art. It is a living cultural tradition carrying generations of knowledge, identity, symbolism and heritage.

The statement was issued by the municipal government headed by Mayor Charles Abay on Friday, September 11, following the circulation of a social media post showing Apo Whang-od tattooing a foreign visitor. The post claimed that the visitor had requested to be tattooed on his genital area.

Tinglayan LGU said it was concerned by the report, stressing that while it respects Apo Whang-od’s personal discretion as a cultural practitioner, the willingness of a practitioner to accommodate a request does not automatically make every request culturally appropriate.

“While we respect Apo Whang-od's personal decision as a mambabatok, we likewise emphasize that visitors have a responsibility to approach Kalinga traditions with respect, sensitivity, and cultural understanding,” the LGU said.

The municipal government emphasized that batok has been passed down through generations by Kalinga ancestors and continues to be preserved by present-day mambabatok.

It said the opening of Kalinga communities and their heritage to visitors should not be interpreted as permission to reduce cultural practices into a “novelty, spectacle, or personal dare” for entertainment.

“We call on all tourists, content creators, tour operators, and other stakeholders visiting Buscalan and other Kalinga communities to observe proper cultural etiquette, respect our elders and cultural practitioners, and understand the meaning and significance of the traditions they encounter,” the LGU said.

‘Visitors have a responsibility’

The issue also drew reactions from members of the Buscalan community, where Apo Whang-od practices the traditional art of batok.

Ireyna Agod, an indigenous artist from Kalinga, stressed that visitors should understand that the community’s willingness to welcome tourists should not be mistaken for permission to disregard its traditions.

She explained that people in the close-knit community are accustomed to helping and accommodating others, including sharing food and other necessities, and that refusing requests may sometimes be viewed as impolite.

For this reason, she said visitors also have a responsibility to understand the cultural setting and avoid placing community members in situations where they may feel pressured to agree to requests that could be considered inappropriate or disrespectful.

Her message underscored the importance of mutual respect: tourists should approach Kalinga traditions with cultural sensitivity, while communities should not be placed under pressure simply because they welcome visitors.

LGU urges cultural sensitivity

Municipal Administrator Atty. Mark Dave Bang-as likewise urged communities and tour organizers to help educate visitors about Kalinga customs and the proper way to engage with cultural practitioners.

The LGU said it welcomes visitors from around the world and recognizes the important role tourism plays in allowing people to appreciate Kalinga heritage.

However, it emphasized that tourism should go hand in hand with respect for the culture, traditions and people who preserve them.

The statement comes amid the continued popularity of Buscalan as a destination for visitors seeking traditional Kalinga tattoos and cultural experiences.

Tinglayan LGU said tourists, content creators and tour operators should take the opportunity to learn about the meaning and significance of batok, rather than treating it merely as an unusual experience or entertainment.

The municipal government also called on stakeholders to help protect the dignity of Kalinga elders and cultural practitioners as interest in the province’s traditional tattooing continues to grow.