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20240214-bbm-whang-od-merit-award-PPA-3

Katrina Domingo

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/20240214-bbm-whang-od-merit-award-PPA-3.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left"><span dir="ltr" id="isPasted">President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. awards the Presidential Merit Award to 106-years old traditional tattoo artist Apo Whang-Od during a ceremony at the Malacanang Palace on February 14, 2024. <em>KJ Rosales, PPA pool</em></span><em> </em></span></span></span>MANILA — Apo Maria Whang Od Oggay — the Philippines’ oldest traditional Kalinga tattooist — was among those who received the Presidential Medal of Merit on Wednesday for her “impact and influence on Filipino culture and craft.”</div><p>The 106-year-old “mambabatok” was lauded in Malacañang, where a ceremony for other recipients of the Presidential Lingkod-Bayan Awards, Dangal ng Bayan Award and Civil Service Commission Pag-Asa Award was held.</p><p>“Her contribution to the preservation of Filipino arts and practices cannot be overstated,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said.</p><p>“We are honoring Apo Whang Od for works that have made her and the country famous, for other achievements that make her a Filipina worthy of our respect and admiration,” he said.</p><p>Whang Od — who won an award from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts in 2018 — “is a pioneer in shattering gender stereotypes, venturing into tattooing when it was just a man’s exclusive preserve,” Marcos Jr. said.</p><p>“She is a keeper of the oral traditions and a mentor in teaching a new generation of artists, thus ensuring her art form lives on to tell tales of her community’s history,” the President said.</p><p>“Her craft and stature as an internationally recognized artists, raised international awareness of our country’s rich cultural heritage, as Apo Whang-Od’s work appealed to diverse cultures and across political divide, she becomes a enabler for unity and example of an idea that binds as all,” he said.</p><p>“She is truly a national treasure.”</p><p>Whang Od’s tattoos have been sough after as each artwork is unique and depicts a story from the esteemed Kalinga native.</p><p>In 2023, Whang Od became the cover star of Vogue Philippines, who hailed her as a Filipina who &quot;symbolizes the strength and beauty of the Filipino spirit.&quot;</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/life/03/30/23/look-whang-od-graces-cover-of-fashion-magazine">LOOK: Whang-Od graces cover of fashion magazine</a></div><div><ivs-player data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-vid="2960215"></ivs-player></div><script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script><div><br/></div>

<p>The Philippines’ oldest traditional Kalinga tattooist received the Presidential Medal of Merit on Wednesday. </p>

The Philippines’ oldest traditional Kalinga tattooist received the Presidential Medal of Merit on Wednesday.

Whang Od earns Presidential Medal of Merit for ‘impact on Filipino culture and craft’

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Whang Od earns Presidential Medal of Merit for ‘impact on Filipino culture and craft’

Katrina Domingo,

ABS-CBN News

Published February 14, 2024 05:43 PM PHT

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Updated February 14, 2024 07:31 PM PHT

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Malacañang

Ferdinand Marcos Jr

. Civil Service Commission

Whang Od

Presidential Medal of Merit

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