Whang-Od, Kalinga Tattooist. Exploited

@eileenleyva (27567)
Philippines
October 24, 2017 4:33pm CST
Whang-Od. A Kalinga. Centenarian.The Last Mambabatok .Or traditional tattooist. She dwells up there, in the fresh and clean mountain of the formidable Cordlllera Range. People seek her, even if she is a hundred and one years old, because she uses the traditional tattooing of old. Her craft, or her art form, perhaps unbeknownst to her, has become popular. Exactly why artists and tattoo enthusiasts set for a long adventure trip up the range, and queue the line in her humble abode. For Whang-Od, tattooing is her living. Although her talent is an art she enjoyed, she recognized the work as her means of living. Comes CITEM's MANILA FAME, a Department of Trade and Industry's agency that showcases Philippine craft. and an invite was made to Whang-Od, to fly to Manila for the MANILA FAME. She came with her apprentices. under contract, that they would tattoo people in the event, for PhP 2,500 per tattoo. Of course the line was filled. Whang-Od worked, for two, long days. Cruel, on the part of the organizers. It is not even an oversight on the part of the directors. It is callousness. Rename thy self: MANILA SHAME. Please resign. You have just abused a natural treasure.
4 people like this
4 responses
• Calgary, Alberta
25 Oct 17
on the bright side her artwork got mainstream attention. She did it because she doesn't want the art form to die.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27567)
• Philippines
26 Oct 17
Her two great-grandchildren are her apprentices. They have learned the craft quite well..The trip to Manila was physically exhausting. Whang-Od could have been rendered the most comfortable stay. She proceeded to work at once. The organizers could have paid her a huge amount, just for her presence, without making her work. Her tattoo is already marked on many a skin. People from all walks of life have come to her, up there, in her mountain.
2 people like this
@allen0187 (58447)
• Philippines
27 Oct 17
@CaptAlbertWhisker Whang-Od's tattoos were popular before Manila Fame. She did Manila Fame a favor and not the other way around. According to the the Kalinga elders, doing tattoos were not part of the contract. There was suppose to be an exhibit, doing one of two tattoos and that was it. She was doing 3-4 tattoos a day in Buscalan. She ended up doing more than a hundred tattoos here in her two day stay. Plus, the fee that Manila Fame charged was exorbitant, Php700 to get in the event and P2,500 for a tattoo.
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (58447)
• Philippines
27 Oct 17
@eileenleyva I've had the pleasure of getting a tattoo from both Grace and Ilyang. Getting one from Whang-Od is still in my bucket list.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
26 Oct 17
I believe they cleared this issue out. Her relatives said that Apo Whang Od wanted to go, but with a few conditions that was stipulated on a contract. This included being shuttled to and fro via chopper and meeting local actor Coco Martin. She had two assistants who did most of the tattooing, Apo put just her signatures on them. As per a report, what she would have wanted though was a more private room to do the tattoos.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
30 Oct 17
@eileenleyva probably, although the statements came from Apo Whang-Od's direct relatives, as told in news outlets. I read a commentary in Rappler about this issue, the author said that even before Manila FAME, Whang Od has already commodified her tattoos, as the tattoos she makes used to be worn only by Kalinga warriors. And that she went voluntarily to the event (of course with some stipulations). But I guess we really have to hear about Apo herself, since it would be her who can say if she really felt exploited or taken advantage of during the event.
@eileenleyva (27567)
• Philippines
29 Oct 17
That is probably an after thought, a press release, CITEM's way of defending itself. My take? Why would I agree to a contract demeaning of my stature? Of course Whang-Od is clueless of her worth, that is why she agreed to it. Does she know she is a national treasure? As a centenarian, her time is priceless, too. And they made her work to earn a keep. Shame. The directors pay are way too high for the work they produce. Shame on them. They took advantage of an old woman who knows not the cruel world.
• Philippines
25 Oct 17
What happened, she didn't get paid? They better sue. How could they do this to an old woman! I thought she was sick or something. The people in line should have paid it themselves! They should have given her own personal BUS were she could rest and NOT commute. It's another shame people does.
@eileenleyva (27567)
• Philippines
29 Oct 17
knight, she was made to tattoo two long days, in an air-conditioned MANILA FAME event. She fell asleep as she awaited her turn to speak as guest of honor. Probably tired. CITEM flew her in from Kalinga. Still, the three-day event was strenuous.
@acelawrites (19274)
• Philippines
29 Oct 17
I saw that post on FB where Whang-Od felt asleep while waiting for her turn to speak in a forum. Netizens say people who wanted to have her tattoo should go up to mountains of Kalinga to meet Whang-Od, a national treasure.
@eileenleyva (27567)
• Philippines
29 Oct 17
I see. That makes it worse. Whang-Od should have been allowed to get her siesta. It is imperative old people get their much needed rest. It is called power nap today. Mandatory sleep, the way we call it yesterday. Very sad, indeed.
1 person likes this