Apo Whang-Od is the legendary Filipina tattoo artist from Kalinga and the last to hold the Mambabatok title — a true tattoo master.. The Whang-Od streetwear cap goes on sale … I initially want to wear Sandugo sandals but was glad I opted to wear rubber shoes instead. Kids in Buscalan are very used to visitors offering them treats like candies, chocolates, etc. Mine healed after a month. This is not mandatory but small gifts will be highly appreciated by Apo. Spin Locker. Hyponatremia can dilute your body’s sodium level, thus, causing weakness, nausea, vomiting and confusion. I had spent most of the morning agonizing over what tattoo to get and had, in the end, decided upon a fern; a symbol of rebirth and, I later found out, fertility. Price: Apo Whang-Od is the only one who decides on the price. Others only end up getting a signature from Whang-od, usually early in the morning at around 7:00am-8:00am before going back to Tinglayan Point. There are no hostels nor guesthouses in Buscalan and the only accommodation they can offer is a homestay. Q: Apo Whang-od uses unsterilized materials for tattooing, is it safe? People from Buscalan say that it is advisable to go during weekdays  as there are less people lining up. IV. It was passed on to her by her father who taught her the way of traditional tattooing. b. When a helicopter brought tattoo artist Whang-ud from her home village in remote Buscalan in Tinglayan, Kalinga province, to Manila for a two-day trade event, people cried “exploitation!” 100-year-old or so, Apo Whang Od is most likely the oldest tattoo artist in the world. We did not left the place until her last session because we want to know if how many people are still on queue before our turn. Having said that, if you plan to see Apo, take lots of cardio and leg exercises before your trip. She is often … The Backpacker Bible – Learn how to ditch your desk and travel the world on just $10 a day whilst building a life of long-term travel with an online income. Hubby had previously requested that both Whang Od and her niece, Grace, give him his batek so that he can have one unified piece that would represent both the old and the new generation of Kalinga tattoo artists. I have heard reports that sometimes the village now has up to four hundred visitors a day, largely as a result of the villagers actively promoting Whang Od in a bid to open up the area to tourism. It actually depends on your skin. Whang-od Oggay (First name pronunciation: [ˈɸɐŋˈʔɘd]; [check IPA] born February 17, 1917), also known as Maria Oggay, is a Filipino tattoo artist from Buscalan, Tinglayan, Kalinga, Philippines. Next, she picked a sharp thorn from a lemon tree and placed it carefully within another stick before glancing at me, checking that I was ready and preparing her hammer. The trek to Buscalan takes between forty minutes and two hours depending on fitness. With that, if you have any plans to hit the beach anytime soon, take into consideration the healing time needed. (Prices … Don’t be too finicky or ‘maselan’. And I would like to stress the posted guideline on their wall…“If you cannot wait, then you do not deserve this rare work of art.”, P.S. Whack, whack, whack. Tattoos … Whang Od: An Icon of Pop Culture. Travelers, not just from the Philippines, all over the world visit her just to have this traditional tattoo as a form of lifetime and meaningful souvenir, but visiting her place is quite challenging. Adventurer and vagabond. Please, only visit the village if you can stay a few days, do not litter, consider visiting other villages and be a responsible tourist. Every tattoo’s price varies depending on the size and area. (There’s 7PM and 8PM trips. I had snacked on local delicacies, made friends with a couple of chaps in the village and enjoyed chilling out for a bit. I crashed almost immediately, exhausted and all too aware that tomorrow I would finally be meeting with Whang Od. I am glad that tattoo … Embed review. You can arrange to stay in one of the villager’s houses relatively easy, it will only cost around $5 but be aware that it is pretty basic – you will get pillows and blankets but will basically be on the floor so if you have a rollmat you should bring it. Apo(a word to show respect) Whang-od does NOT do full tattoos anymore because she is 101 years old and her eyesight isn’t up to it anymore. a. It’s a tattoo, it’s permanent, so ask yourself a hundred times if you really want to get one. I am glad that tattoo enthusiasts have found their way to Buscalan and have received their precious ink. Don’t expect her to open the wet wipes and pull each ply as she’s very focused and busy on your tattoo, tendency is, she’ll just use the easily available wet wipes near her. The next day, we returned at Grace’s house (this is where Apo performs her tattoo session), excited to have our tattoos (there were only 3 people left on queue before we can have ours) but were disappointed upon learning that a lot of people were lined up to have Apo’s signature tattoo. We stayed at Kuya Santi’s Homestay and they have a sari-sari store so buying food is not a problem for us. She says that tour guides exploit Whang Od, tourists were not disciplined, hundreds line up to get a tattoo from Whang Od and she feels that she will die of exhaustion from this as she cannot even take a good break to eat her meal. Batok is a form of traditional tattoo; given to warriors with unprecedented achievement during the early times. However, please also understand that having the traditional tattoo, especially by Apo Whang-od, is really worth the wait and should not be rushed. NCCA is now finalizing the documents to confer Whang-od and have Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte sign it. Christian Sagmayao– +63920-710-5885 (he was our tour guide), Santi So-Ang – +63920-265-5536 and +63919-318-3773 (we stayed in their house and he said he’s also a tour guide). I could think of no better way to pay homage to this incredible woman and to travelling, adventure even, itself than to get a traditional tattoo… this was an idea I had been knocking around for years and, as I watched the tattoo take over my arm, I knew I had made the right decision. III. Never have I imagined myself getting a tattoo, but I did! Or get 4-5 business-day shipping on this item for $5.99 . Apo stopped tattoing at almost 6:00pm (it was summer so sunset was late). Apo Whang Od is probably one of the most revered Filipinas of our generation. You can get her signature, the 3 dots, for 100p and I … Whang Od has become increasingly famous since she was covered on this, and other, blogs. If you really want a customized one (a mix of several traditional designs available), you may want to consider having Grace or Elyang do it but it’s not always 100% sure that they would agree to do it. It was going to be dark soon. It was July 2015, when my friends and I decided to head to Buscalan, Kalinga to meet with the renowned traditional tattoo artist from the Butbut tribe, Whang-Od. Whang … It was still sore and delicate to the touch. 5. II. According to the feature story entitled “At 100 or So, She Keeps a Philippine Tattoo Tradition Alive” and written by Aurora Almendral Wang-Od is a tattoo artist from the tribe of Butbut of the Kalinga ethnic group of the Philippines.. She is one of the legends who belongs to the last generation doing the ritual inking and is also one of the few who still remembers how it was done. Shorts, leggings, few shirts (depending on the length of your stay) and one reliable jacket or shawl would do. The wind whistled past my face as I sat atop the jeepney, my eyes stretched wide to take in the plunging landscape whipping past me. Villagers say you can get a phone signal if you’re using an old model phone and when you hang it outside the window. V. Apo Whang-od applies virgin coconut oil on your tattoo and that’s it. Buscalan, The Philippines, the village of fierce (former) head-hunters, is today famous for being home to Whang-Od, the 100-year old, world-renowned tattoo artist who continues to ink enthusiastic visitors looking for a Filipino tribal tattoo… Whang-Od inks multiple tattoos a day using a few tools—a thorn from a pomelo tree, a foot-long bamboo stick, coal, and water. Upon our arrival at Santi’s Homestay, we rested a bit then headed to the place where Apo Whang-od does her tattoo session. Just drink enough water to avoid dehydration. Whang Od Oggay, who is roughly 100, a traditional tattoo artist in the Philippines. We keep a close eye on international developments and our many contributors the world over ensure we always have a fresh take on what is going on in the world of tattoo and everything that revolves around this art form. Bringing a book will also help kill boredom while waiting for your turn to be tattooed. I have decided that henceforth when I discover a hidden gem such as this I will not be blogging about it. Start your review today. A po Whang Od is famously known as the last mambabatok of the Kalinga. It just depends on your pain tolerance. Bring oil, petroleum jelly and antibacterial wipes. as well as some matches and a kilo of salt. 11. Plus other collabs with the legendary tattoo artist. Despite her popularity, preserving the rich Kalinga art faces many setbacks. Conqueror of mountains, survivor of deserts and crusader for cheap escapades. She is the oldest traditional tattoo artists in the Philippines. I suggest you. Pero ang sure ako, if iba nagtattoo sayo and gusto mo maexperience or magpasignature kay Whang-Od, P100 additional (3 dots). The uphill and downhill climb to the small barangay of the Butbut Kalinga tribe will take an average of 1-1.5 hours depending on one’s pace. It was July 2015, when my friends and I decided to head to Buscalan, Kalinga to meet with the renowned traditional tattoo artist from the Butbut tribe, Whang-Od. Whang-od uses a thorn, a bamboo stick and wet charcoal to put the design on one's skin. But please, don’t haggle. The Many Faces of Whang-od, Philippines’ Legendary Tattooist. Whang-Od’s Tattoo. Animal skulls and chicken feet hung from every square inch of a nearby house. Whang-Od is a mambabatok of the But-But tribe.Batok is the term for the technique she uses where the ink, made of a mixture of soot and water, is embedded into the skin by a pomelo thorn (which serves … She still inks eight to 10 tattoos a day in Kalinga province. Yun ang sabi samin as courtesy. Bear in mind that there are very limited trips going to Buscalan so be mindful of the bus schedule lest you want to spend a night in Bontoc or Tinglayan. I had traversed valleys and hiked through the jungle, ridden atop metallic-death vans and endured belching fumes; what were a few pin-pricks to mark the successful completion of my journey? As for the wet wipes, make sure to make every ply accessible to Apo so she will use it to wipe the ink and blood from your skin. Getting a tour guide is REQUIRED because once you reach the registration area come souvenir shop (at the top of the mountain) of Barangay Buscalan, you will be asked if you plan to get a tattoo and the name of your tour guide. The Whang-Od tattoo cap from New Era Caps Philippines is on sale for P2,095. Your group’s number is very crucial as this will be your sort of foothold if who goes before or after you in the long list of of people waiting to be tattooed. You have to take a guide or you are not allowed to visit the village – the guide fee is 1000 pesos per day per group. (Source: Wikipedia) Of course, who ever got a tattoo, will get a photo opp with Whang-Od too! Below are the steps being done to get your batok. Support the site and learn how to travel the world on $10 a day. First to Review. The biggest problem currently faced by the village is tourists littering – there is no waste management in Buscalan so please do your bit; do not litter and carry all of your trash out with you when you leave. Be the judge. III. What greeted us were long lines and people arguing who should go first to take photos with the elder tattoo artist — at PHP 50 per … Standard price of Apo Whang-od’s signature is Php100. We raced further into the country, taking hair-pin bends with reckless abandon, bouncing along on top of the Jeepney as we climbed into the mountains. Or get 4-5 business-day shipping on this item for $5.99 . They are usually parked across Mister Donut. 3. Be sure to check out the villager’s awesome bamboo smoking pipes… They are an excellent way to keep yourself entertained in the evening and to help support crafts in the village. Did I say the trek was not easy? ^_^. Plan your trip during weekdays. A month later, Apo Whang Od’s tattoo … I. (Prices may vary for AK and HI.) What is also intriguing is that 102 year old Whang-Od seems to be one of the last tattoo … Apo Whang Od is probably one of the most revered Filipinas of our generation. If you are planning to go to Buscalan anytime soon, here are few things you need to know before getting a tattoo from the Oldest Mambabatok (traditional Kalinga tattooist) and National Living Treasure in the mountain of Kalinga. Fare is Php700. Kalinga’s 102-year old tattoo legend – the last and the oldest mambabatok of her tribe – Apo Whang Od A post shared by Maine Mendoza (@mainedcm) on Mar 30, 2019 at 10:05pm PDT According to the report, Maine Mendoza considered their trip going to the tattoo artist as one of her most memorable experience. You can choose to have Whang Od select the design and placement of the tattoo, as is traditional in Kalinga culture, or you can choose it yourself from a board of designs in the village. First, I had to get there. This is also for the protection of the tourists so please heed their advise. Whang-Od is a mambabatok of the But-But tribe.Batok is the term for the technique she uses where the ink, made of a mixture of soot and water, is embedded into the skin by a pomelo thorn (which serves as the needle).The thorn is attached into a bamboo stick which would then be repeatedly tapped by another bamboo stick until the desired design is tattooed on the skin. To get to Buscalan, Whang Od’s village, you must first travel to Bontoc – an easy jump from Sagada or an overnight bus from Manila. 4. See more ideas about Tattoos, Filipino tattoos, Traditional tattoo. It is well worth riding on top; you will be rewarded with stunning views. Her skills and talent made Buscalan famous for the Kalinga tattoo. The Whang-Od streetwear cap goes on sale for … These are a coconut bowl where water, charcoal, and sweet potato are combined to produce the tribal tattoo … 1. It took us exactly 1 hour with 3 very brief stops to rest and catch our breaths. At the registration area, you will be asked to pay for an environmental fee of Php75.00 per head, the date and time of arrival and the number of people who plan to have a tattoo in your group will also be listed down in a small piece of paper. This was not why I was here. There’s no phone signal in Buscalan, all the more data signal. After getting your tattoos, visitors are asked to go to Apo Whang Od to ask for the price. Slowly but surely we traipsed further from the road and higher into the hills. Walk few meters, past the police station , and look for a jeepney (Php60) or van (Php150) to take you to the turning point in Tinglayan. The hike to Barangay Buscalan and trek back to the Tinglayan turning point is a little dangerous, especially with the small rocks and stones along the way so make sure you have sturdy and comfortable shoes that won’t let you down or literally fall down. Mambabatok refers to the people who practice the art of traditional tattoo … Also, I would be a hypocrite If I say that it doesn’t hurt because it really does. Fruits and Sustagen Premium are nice ideas too. Home » South East Asia » Receiving a Tribal Tattoo from Whang Od. Your group will then be assigned a number based on your arrival. I strongly suggest that you consider heading to OTHER villages in the Buscalan area so as not to overwhelm Whang Od’s small village and so as to help spread tourist dollars around the area. Legendary tattoo master Whang-Od was transported from her tribal village of Buscalan to the capital for the Manila FAME trade show, with the help of the Philippine Army and Air Force. Thus, your smart phone is good for nothing except for taking photos and videos. Also, many people say (those who have experienced machine tattoos already) that a batok or Apo Whang-od’s traditional way of tattooing is more painful than machine tattoos so you also have to consider that. There are already groups lining up to get her signature tatto, the three dots, and the designed tattoo. I was turning up blind, hoping she would like me, hoping she would tattoo me. Whang–od paints her art unto the canvass of 15-20 persons daily, flanked by her apprentices, and can accommodate close to a hundred sessions with a price ranging from 300 to thousands of pesos depending on size and complexity. Share review. Prepare yourself emotionally and physically. Starting price is usually Php300-Php500 and up. You save: PHP 1,450.00 (50% off) Price: Discounted price PHP 1,450.00 Whang-od will start tapping along the lines using a pomelo thorn, bamboo sticks and pine soot as ink. 425 reviews. They are not persistent but the happiness you see whenever you hand them little treats is just priceless. You may alter it a little but if I may suggest, just stick to the original designs, especially if you want to be tattooed by Apo. Whang-Od belongs to a generation of people from the Philippines’ Buscalan community, who are probably the only few people left with elaborate inked designs on their body. 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