Whang-Od nominated for Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan

Traditional tattoo artist Whang-Od Oggay has been nominated by the Senate for the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA) or the National Living Treasures Award for fostering and preserving the traditional tattoo art of Kalinga.

Resolution 2, introduced by Senators Juan Edgardo Angara and Nancy Binay and adopted by the Senate Tuesday afternoon, stated Whang-Od was the only surviving Kalinga traditional tattoo artist with the distinguished title of "mambabatok" or a master tattooist of "batek," or the folk skin inscriptions of Kalinga.

"The continuity of the batek is anchored on the well-being of Whang-Od being the last living mambabatok, which necessitates immediate action to preserve the folk art considering Whang-Od's advanced age," the resolution said.

The resolution described batek as traditional body art "distinctively known for its symmetric and intricate designs that detail the valor and bravery of ancient tribal warriors, and is customarily applied through a hand-tapped pricking method using intrinsic instruments such as Carabao horns and fruit thorns."

"The batek survived centuries of foreign influences. The traditional Filipino tattoo art must not disappear and turn extinct due to mere negligence to preserve a significant feature of Philippine culture and identity," it said.

GAMABA is equal in rank with the National Artist. It is conferred by the National Center for Culture and the Arts, the country's highest policy-making and coordinating body for culture and the arts, on Filipinos who are at the forefront of the practice, preservation and promotion of the nation's traditional folk arts. It was institutionalized in 1992 through Republic Act No. 7355.

A living treasure, indeed!

Angara said Whang-Od is the “exceptional embodiment of the Filipino's rich heritage."

"Whang-od, who reportedly turned 99 on February 17, deserves the GAMABA award given her valuable contribution to fostering and preserving the traditional indigenous tattoo art of Kalinga province," he said in a press statement.

He said Whang-od, who hails from Buscalan village, is renowned for her batek. She started practicing since her childhood years, during which Whang-Od tattooed countless warriors and headhunters of her tribe. As such, she has now garnered both local and international recognition and reverence.

Having survived centuries of foreign influences, the senator said the traditional Filipino tattoo art "must not disappear and turn instinct due to mere negligence to preserve a significant feature of Philippine culture and identity."

"These awards, grants, and recognitions are proper not only to honor Wang-od and similar individuals who contribute and enrich the Filipino cultural identify and history, but also to preserve and to further promote traditional folk arts for the benefit of future generations," Angara said.

Binay said bestowing Whang-Od the GAMABA or the National Living Treasures award does not only recognize the beauty and grace of the ancient art of tattooing, but also ensures that such Filipino heritage will survive and continue to exist, her contribution to her native craft, as well as the rarity of her situation, should not go unrecognized. — LA, GMA News