Netizens say Manila FAME trade show exploited tattoo artist Apo Whang-Od

Netizens are accusing a trade show in Manila of exploiting the last mambabatok (traditional Kalinga tattooist) Apo Whang-Od, who supposedly accommodated hundreds of patrons in a span of two days.

The 100-year-old arrived in Manila for the first time on Wednesday to showcase traditional tattoos at the 66th Manila FAME trade show, held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City from October 20 to 22. She was accompanied by her grandnieces and apprentices Grace Palicas and Ilyang Wigan.

Organized by the Trade Department's export marketing arm Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), Manila FAME is a place for buyers to seek out "high-quality, design forward and Philippine-made products with an artisanal touch."

According to the schedule of activities posted on the trade show's website, there was a scheduled live mambabatok tattoo demonstration from 9:20 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on October 20 which then continued from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

On the second day of the event, another live mambabatok tattoo demonstration was held from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

One of the netizens, a certain "Gen Gen," said in a Facebook post that she paid the P700 entrance fee in order to see Apo Whang-Od last Friday, hoping that the last living mambabatok would be awarded.

However, she said, she noticed that the centenarian looked "tired and sleepy" after tattooing patrons for almost the whole day.

In a photo she took, Apo Whang-Od was seen sleeping in the middle of a forum where she was expected to speak as one of the panelists.

Gen Gen, who declined to reveal her identity, told GMA News Online that she hopes the outrage would serve us a '"wake-up call," and called on the government to expedite the conferring of Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan Awards (GAMABA) to Apo Whang-Od.

"I am not against Manila Fame nor the organizers, I saw the bodyguards taking care of her and I am sure she stayed in a grandiose hotel BUT may I please suggest if they will.. hope next time if Apo will be visiting manila again, PLEASE don't let her work here and get paid instead let her sit and relax watching documentaries created by their staff showing about her life, accomplishments, how important she is to us and how she made Philippines proud of her," she said.

"That presentation in the next exhibit will be more captivating than seeing people lining up to be inked by her. There are a lot of ways and marketing strategies to promote their culture and not in this manner," she added.

In a press release, CITEM said that all proceeds during the event were "completely handled by the Kalinga elders."

CITEM executive director Clayton Tugonon also said that Philippine Air Force and Philippine Army have ensured Apo Whang-Od's safety prior to and during her travel to Manila and back to Buscalan.

"Whang-Od's comprehensive care prior to and throughout her participation and travel back to Kalinga was done by a dedicated medical team lead by Dr. Miguel Ramos, head of the Department of Health's National Geriatric Hospital, Geriatric Medicine consultant of the Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center, National Center for Geriatric Health, and St. Luke's Medical Center Security," he added.

Tugonon also said that proper channels were used to invite Apo Whang-Od, including getting in touch with the Kalinga community of elders (which includes Whang-Od), the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, concerned local government units, Department of Tourism, and the DTI regional offices.

'Natulog, na-picture-an'

In a separate phone interview with GMA News Online, Tugonon denied that Apo Whang-Od was exploited, saying that they only want to showcase her craft and to formalize her nomination for the GAMABA, which is conferred by the national government through the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

"In the first place, Whang-Od was brought here so that we can show her craft at the same time yung sa first night, yung nomination niya sa GAMABA which was accepted in a ceremonial acceptance by the NCAA," he said.

"Pero ang gusto niya talagang magta-tattoo siya. In fact, ayaw niya munang kumain kasi magta-tattoo daw, kasi pumunta raw siya dito kasi para maraming matattoohan, gusto niya, wala kaming magawa eh," he added.

On October 20, Apo Whang-Od was formally nominated for the GAMABA, or the National Living Treasure Award, at the World Trade Center. The nomination was led by Kalinga Acting Governor James Edduba.

Tugonon said that the CITEM did not receive a single centavo from the estimated P800,000 income incurred from the two-day tattoo demonstration.

He added that more than 200 people received po Whang-Od's three-dot signature tattoo, worth P500. Meanwhile, intricate designs made by her grandnieces were priced at P2,500.

Asked to comment on the photo of Apo Whand-Od sleeping at a forum, Tugonon said that the latter got "bored" waiting too long for another panelist from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) to finish speaking.

"Na-bo-bored siya sa isang taga NCIP, kasi siya yung parang moderator. Parang inaantok si Whang-Od kasi mas maraming sinabi yung babaeng taga-NCIP because supposedly ang mangyari doon sana, Whang-Od will talk about the how the tattoo of Kalinga came about," he said.

"Ang problema yung taga-NCIP, mas marami siyang sinabi tungkol sa sarili niya na tattoohan niya, kaysa kay Apo Whang-Od. Si Apo inaantok, natulog, na-picture-an," he added.

Tugonon vowed that Apo Whang-Od will be one of the GAMABA recipients.

"Gusto namin is makuha niya yung GAMABA awards. It's an honor. Talagang we will really work on it na yung GAMABA makuha ni Apo, because it's an honor, it will be the instrument na makuha ni Apo, which is the dream of [the late] Senator [Miriam] Santiago," he said.

Apo Whang-Od returned to Buscalan on Sunday morning with the assistance of the Philippine Air Force. — BM, GMA News