Vogue’s beauty issue features 106-year-old Filipino tattoo artist on the cover

A Filipino tattoo artist who has been practicing tattooing for over nine decades has become Vogue’s new cover star at the age of 106.

Apo Whang-Od, aka Maria Oggay, is a master hand-tapper tattooer and has been perfecting the art since she was a teenager.

As she graces the cover of Vogue Philippines, she has become the world fashion magazine’s oldest star, surpassing the previous headline, Dame Judi Dench, who was then 85 years old.

The tattoo artist is from the mountain village of Buscalan, which is 15 hours north of the country’s capital Manila in the Kalinga province, and is believed to be the oldest traditional Kalinga tattoo artist in the country, also known as mambabatok.

She creates her designs using a bamboo stick, a thorn from a grapefruit tree, water, and charcoal.

In a post on social media, Vogue Philippines said: “Hailed as the last mambabatok of her generation, she has imprinted the symbols of the Kalinga tribe, signifying strength, bravery and beauty, on the skin of thousands of people who have made the pilgrimage”. to Buscalan.

The tattoos date back to the days of the indigenous Butbut warriors, who earned their inks for service.

But now the century-old artist draws visitors from around the world seeking her geometric designs.

As the art of creating the tattoos can only be passed down to blood relatives, Whang-Od is currently teaching the younger generation of his family how to practice the art.

The centenarian (pictured in 2012) is the oldest known traditional Kalinga tattoo artist, also known as a mambabatok.

The tattoo artist is inked entirely in geometric patterns and has been practicing the art since she was a teenager.

Whang-Od, also known as Maria Oggay, receives clients from all over the world who travel to get tattooed with her.

The centenarian performs the practice using bamboo sticks, tree thorns, water and charcoal and is currently teaching it to her great-nieces.

For several years, he has been coaching his great-nieces, Elyang Wigan and Grace Palicas.

In 2017, the tattoo artist said cnn travel: ‘(My friends who did tattoos) have already passed away.’

I’m the only one left alive who keeps tattooing. But I’m not afraid that the tradition will end because (I’m training) the next tattoo masters.’

She added: “The tradition will continue as long as people keep coming to get tattoos.”

Whang-Od went on to say that he would continue to tattoo other people as long as his vision was clear.

Vogue Philippines editor-in-chief Bea Valdes said it was a unanimous decision among the publication’s staff to put Whang-Od on the cover.

He said the tattoo artist represented everything “beautiful” about Filipino culture.

“We believe that the concept of beauty must evolve to include diverse and inclusive faces and shapes. What we hope to talk about is the beauty of humanity,’ said Valdés.

Following the publication of the cover, the tattoo artist’s Instagram account posted the photo with the caption: “Beauty embracing culture.” Beauty that transcends age. Beauty is not modern, it is timeless.’

In 2018, Apo Whang-Od appeared on Tatler Asia. Speaking to the publication at the time, Whang-Od’s great-niece Elyang said: “My Apo is the strongest and bravest woman I have ever met.” I’ve spent my whole life trying to be like her.

It’s like she’s the foundation of our entire community. We all know that when she dies, everything will change.