Vogue Philippines has revealed the cover of their April 2023 beauty issue, which features Apo Whang-Od , an Indigenous tattoo artist who is the oldest person ever featured on a Vogue cover.
Whang-Od Dethrones 85-years-old Dame Judi
She dethrones the previous holder, 85-year-old Dame Judi Dench when she graces the cover of Vogue Philippines and becomes the global fashion magazine’s oldest-ever celebrity.
She Is The Oldest Traditional Tattooist
The tattoo artist is said to be the nation’s oldest traditional Kalinga tattooist, also known as a mambabatok.
She Lives In A Mountain Town
She comes from the mountain town of Buscalan, located in the Kalinga province and 15 hours north of the nation’s capital Manila.
Things She Uses To Do Artwork
She uses a bamboo stick, a pomelo tree thorn, water, and coal to make her artwork.
She Tattooed Thousands Of People
Vogue Philippines said on social media, “Heralded as the last mambabatok of her generation, she has imprinted the symbols of the Kalinga tribe—signifying strength, bravery, and beauty—on the skin of thousands of people who have made the pilgrimage to Buscalan.”
Tattoos Trace Back To Indigenous but Warriors
The tattoos trace back to the days of indigenous Butbut warriors who earned them as a reward for their service.
People Are Impressed By Her Work
But, the centenarian artist is now attracting people worldwide who come to view her geometric designs.
She is Now Teaching The Next Generation
Whang-Od is now teaching the next generation in her family how to create tattoos because art can only be handed down via blood relations.
Her Grand-nieces Are Her Students
She has been teaching her grand-nieces, Elyang Wigan and Grace Palicas, for many years.
Her Friends Have Passed Away
“(My friends who gave tattoos) have all passed away. I’m the only one left alive that’s still giving tattoos. But I’m not afraid that the tradition will end because (I’m training) the next tattoo masters,” the tattooist told CNN travel in 2017.
This Tradition Will Never Stop
“The tradition will continue as long as people keep coming to get tattoos,” she continued.
She Won’t Stop Tattooing People
Whang-Od went on to say that as long as her vision was clear, she would continue to tattoo others.
Whang-Od On The Cover Was A Unanimous Choice
Bea Valdes, the editor-in-chief of Vogue Philippines , stated that putting Whang-Od on the cover was a unanimous choice among the publication’s employees.
Tattooist Has A Beautiful Filipino Culture
She described the tattooist as having everything “beautiful” about Filipino culture.
Beauty Of Humanity
She added, “We believe that the concept of beauty needs to evolve, and include diverse and inclusive faces and forms. What we hope to speak about is the beauty of humanity.”
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Beauty Embracing Culture
Following the publication of the cover, the tattooist’s Instagram account uploaded the picture with the caption: “Beauty embracing culture. Beauty transcending age. Beauty is not modern, it is timeless.”
Apo Whang-Od Appeared In Tatler Asia In 2018
Apo Whang-Od showed up in Tatler Asia in 2018. Whang-grand-niece Od’s Elyang told the magazine at the time, “My Apo is the strongest, bravest woman I’ve ever known. I’ve spent my whole life trying to be just like her. It’s like she’s the foundation of our whole community. We all know that when she dies, everything will change.”
Vogue Praised Her Attempts To Maintain Her Heritage
Vogue Philippines have praised her for her hard attempts to maintain her heritage at a time when Western beauty standards threatened to wipe out the tattoo method. When American Catholic missionaries arrived in Kalinga, tattooed women in the hamlet were compelled to cover up their tattoos, which were considered disgraceful.
Waves Of Tattoo Tourism To The Philippines
According to Vogue, her artwork has driven waves of tattoo tourism to the Philippines, where individuals worldwide come to get one of her iconic designs.
