Maybe most of us are used to seeing gorgeous models or celebrities on the pages of glossy publications, looking immaculate and wearing eye-catching ensembles. However, after more than 130 years in print, magazines continue to astound their readers and serve as a constant reminder that beauty has no limits or expiration dates.
Apo Whang-Od, a 106-year-old tattoo artist from the Kalinga area, made history by being the oldest model to ever appear on the cover of the internationally recognized Vogue magazine. She was featured both inside and on the cover of the Philippine version of the magazine, released in April. Photographer Artu Nepomuceno took the atmospheric pictures. The 106-year-old native woman was depicted on the cover wearing traditional jewelry, but her tattoos were the primary accessories.
One of the last of her generation of tattoo artists, or “mambabatok,” as they are called in Kalinga, Apo Whang-Od creates unique patterns and embellishments for this tribe. She carries on a millennium-old legacy by mentoring and inspiring the next wave of tattoo artists who come after her. In the traditional tattooing method known as “Batok,” a thorn from a pomelo or calamondin tree is hammered into the skin with a wooden mallet along with a combination of water and charcoal.
Whang-Od learned how to apply manual tattooing at the age of sixteen, guided by her father, and now all of her tattoos are done by hand. Grace and Eliang, her two granddaughters, are now carrying on her legacy.
The managing editor of Philippine Vogue, Bea Valdes, stated of the issue with Whang-Od on the cover, “We pay homage to women who are wise and wild, creating themselves, writing their own stories.”
The article also explores the history and characteristics of the barong, the traditional Filipino garment made from pineapple leaves, and the weaving of pina, the national dress of the Philippines. We can’t help but be impressed by Whang-Od’s ability to ensure that her craft endures forever despite her advanced age.
Getting a tattoo is a great way to show respect for traditions, but there are also frequently moving tales hidden beneath them.
