House of Representatives adopts resolution commending Apo Whang-Od’s Vogue PH cover

Vogue Philippines has earned a new accolade for featuring Apo Whang-Od on its magazine cover.

The magazine's editor Bea Valdes shared that the House of Representatives has adopted a resolution for its April 2023 issue featuring the tattoo artist.

"The Philippine House of Representatives just adopted Resolution 1949, 'congratulating and commending Vogue Philippines for making history by featuring Kalinga’s Apo Whang-Od, ‘Vogue’s oldest ever cover model,’ on the cover of its April 2023 issue,'" Bea shared on her Instagram page.

She adds: "The resolution reads: 'The April 2023 Vogue Philippines issue highlights the beauty and diversity of Filipino culture and heritage, and serves as testament to the richness of the country’s history and traditions.'"

Various personalities were quick to congratulate Vogue Philippines for the new milestone.

"Beautiful 🇵🇭 Iconic! Congratulations @_beavaldes_ @voguephilippines team 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼," broadcaster Karen Davila commented.

"What an incredible thing it has been witnessing this story grow," photographer Artu Nepomuceno wrote.

Whang-Od became the cover star of Vogue Philippines for its beauty issue in April 2023.

"Apo Maria 'Whang-Od' Oggay symbolizes the strength and beauty of the Filipino spirit," the magazine posted upon unveiling the tattoo artist as its cover star last year. 

"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."

"When visitors come from far away, I will give them the tatak Buscalan, tatak Kalinga for as long as my eyes can see," she told the magazine in her interview. 

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Whang-Od's Vogue cover was photographed by Artu Nepomuceno.

In February 2024, Whang-Od was awarded the Outstanding Government Workers of 2023 and the Presidential Medal of Merit awards by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. during the Civil Service Commission’s (CSC) Honor Awards Program.

Apo Whang-Od is Vogue Philippines’ latest cover star

"We are honoring Apo Whang-Od for works that have made her and the country famous for other achievements that make her Filipino worthy of our respect and of our admiration. She’s a pioneer in shattering gender stereotypes venturing into tattooing when it was just a man’s exclusive preserve," the president said in his speech upon awarding the tattoo artist.  

In 2018, Whang-Od was also given the Dangal ng Haraya Award by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

Whang-Od was also nominated for the National Living Treasures Award (Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan) in 2017, which is currently being processed by the NCCA.