Can't believe we met the oldest tattoo artist Apo Whang Od! A living legend 🇵🇭

Whang Od, the legendary batok artist, began tattooing at a young age, learning this ancestral tradition from her Kalinga community. For decades, her art symbolized stories of bravery and rites of passage within her village. Today, despite the changes brought by time, Whang Od continues to practice this craft using traditional tools, such as pomelo thorns and soot, keeping alive a heritage many believed was lost.

Her impact goes beyond the borders of Buscalan: she has drawn tourists and travelers from all over the world to discover not only her work but also the profound cultural heritage of her community. What’s most admirable is how she has ensured the continuation of this tradition by teaching the younger generations, particularly young women from her village, so that the batok can endure.

Through Whang Od, we see not just an exceptional artist but also a bridge between the past and the present—a symbol of resilience and cultural pride.

According to various sources, such as the German documentary DW Documentary (available on YouTube for the past 6 years), the ways in which guests are received in the village have changed significantly. It could be interpreted that, in the past, there was greater caution, and it was uncommon to welcome so many visitors. However, the community seems to have adapted to the new demands since Whang Od gained greater recognition. Today, opening their homes to the constant flow of tourists who visit daily has gone from being unusual to becoming one of the village's main sources of income.

Personally, I’m happy to see the benefits that the people of Buscalan are receiving from their cultural practices and how the village is developing alongside these changes. As you might have noticed in other videos, the humanity and kindness of these villagers remain infinite, despite the many visitors arriving almost every day. Thank you for this wonderful experience.

What do you think about this change in the village’s dynamics? Do you believe it has brought more benefits or challenges to the community?

VIDEO CHAPTERS.
0:00 - 0:08 Intro: Whang Od's eyebrows
0:09 - 1:20 Going back to the house
1:21 - 2:50 Filipino food Jo prepared for lunch
2:51 - 3:22 Explaining how we arrived to Buscalan and prices
3:23 - 4:55 Conversation with our guide Jo
4:56 - 7:39 Going to see Whang Od
7:40 - 10:25 Going back to the house again xd
10:26 - 13:48 Going back to Whang Od xdd
13:49 - 15:18 Thoughts about Whang Od