P.S. (Prices may vary for AK and HI.) Or get 4-5 business-day shipping on this item for $5.99 . 3 days and 2 nights package available upon request for better chances of getting a tattoo Mambabatok refers to the people who practice the art of traditional tattoo … Whang-od is the last Kalinga membantok or tattoo artist from Buscalan, Kalinga. Yes, it’s manageable because I did not cry (hahaha) but for me it hurts and I bled a lot. So go ahead and be generous. Whang-od Oggay (First name pronunciation: [ˈɸɐŋ.ˈʔɘd]; born February 17, 1917), also known as Maria Oggay, is a Filipino tattoo artist from Buscalan, Tinglayan, Kalinga, Philippines. Others get lucky but it’s not always the situation. If I’m not mistaken, she doesn’t do customized designs. In our case, we gave her a lipstick (I learned she loves ’em), big pack of wet wipes and Lemon Square cupcakes. The next day, we returned at Grace’s house (this is where Apo performs her tattoo session), excited to have our tattoos (there were only 3 people left on queue before we can have ours) but were disappointed upon learning that a lot of people were lined up to have Apo’s signature tattoo. These are the usual tribal/traditional tattoo designs. Fare is Php700. 9. A: I can only speak for myself because I believe each person’s pain threshold varies. Apo Whang-Od is one of the Philippines' national treasures. There’s an extra fee if you exceed 5). Besides, Whang Od’s family has hung a sign on their house door as an indication for lost tourists and she provides them with food and lodging. Whang-Od belongs to a generation of people from the Philippines’ Buscalan community, who are probably the only few people left with elaborate inked designs on their body. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. I really mean it! Kalinga’s 102-year old tattoo legend – the last and the oldest mambabatok of her tribe – Apo Whang Od A post shared by Maine Mendoza (@mainedcm) on Mar 30, 2019 at 10:05pm PDT According to the report, Maine Mendoza considered their trip going to the tattoo artist as one of her most memorable experience. Bring something for the kids. , if you plan to see Apo, take lots of cardio and leg exercises before your trip. Also, I would be a hypocrite If I say that it doesn’t hurt because it really does. She was sprightly, humorous even, and smiled from beneath a heavy black hoodie – the kind of thing a teenager might wear. For decades, Whang Od has kept the traditions of the Butbut tribe alive by tattooing with thorns, charcoal and a small bamboo hammer. Truly, nothing worth having comes easy and this is especially true with Whang-od’s precious batok (tattoo). Thus, your smart phone is good for nothing except for taking photos and videos. Support the site and learn how to travel the world on $10 a day. It was July 2015, when my friends and I decided to head to Buscalan, Kalinga to meet with the renowned traditional tattoo artist from the Butbut tribe, Whang-Od. The biggest problem currently faced by the village is tourists littering – there is no waste management in Buscalan so please do your bit; do not litter and carry all of your trash out with you when you leave. The hike to Barangay Buscalan and trek back to the Tinglayan turning point is a little dangerous, especially with the small rocks and stones along the way so make sure you have sturdy and comfortable shoes that won’t let you down or literally fall down. Walk few meters, past the police station , and look for a jeepney (Php60) or van (Php150) to take you to the turning point in Tinglayan. The Many Faces of Whang-od, Philippines’ Legendary Tattooist. The Whang-Od tattoo cap from New Era Caps Philippines is on sale for P2,095. Your tour guide would be happy to carry your bags but please be easy, after all, he only has two hands. but you can also buy from some of the sari-sari stores in Buscalan (a little bit pricey than the usual but I actually prefer this option so they can have additional income). The jeepney should take you off the main road and up to the trailhead where you can begin the hike to Buscalan Village, home of Whang Od. Spin Locker. Shorts, leggings, few shirts (depending on the length of your stay) and one reliable jacket or shawl would do. It was July 2015, when my friends and I decided to head to Buscalan, Kalinga to meet with the renowned traditional tattoo artist from the Butbut tribe, Whang-Od. Plan your trip during weekdays. Whang Od - Oldest Tattoo Artist - National Artist T-Shirt Price: $19.99 FREE Shipping Get free shipping Free 5-8 day shipping within the U.S. when you order $25.00 of eligible items sold or fulfilled by Amazon. Whang Od didn’t look like she was in her nineties. Again, it depends on how big the design is and if how easy your skin can absorb the pine tree soot (ink). 5. I told myself before that if ever I am to get one, it should be something special, it should mean a lot to me and it should be worth the pain (heck! The first time I went there was only one other foreigner there, the second time I went I did meet about a dozen other foreigners – the scene is certainly getting busier and, sadly, more commercialised. What is also intriguing is that 102 year old Whang-Od seems to be one of the last tattoo … You’ll know it’s almost done when Apo Whang-od starts imprinting her signature “3 dots”. Prices are subject to change with out prior notice For rates for less than 06 participants please contact us. Below are the steps being done to get your batok. Whang Od is currently in poor health and is turning away the vast majority of those who come seeking tattoos. There are lots of tattoo aftercare suggestions on the group “Tattooed by Apo Whang-od” that it’s actually confusing already. Apo stopped tattoing at almost 6:00pm (it was summer so sunset was late). Bear in mind that there are very limited trips going to Buscalan so be mindful of the bus schedule lest you want to spend a night in Bontoc or Tinglayan. A: Depends on how big the design is. I went on the long journey to meet the famous Apo Whang Od, the last mambabatok (tribal tattoo artist) in her village, Kalinga. Also, since Apo Whang-od is not very fluent or has very  limited tagalog or english vocabulary, your guide will also serve as your interpreter, he will also be the one to talk to Whang-od, Grace or Elyang (Apo Whang-od’s grand daughters whom she also trained to be. Next, she picked a sharp thorn from a lemon tree and placed it carefully within another stick before glancing at me, checking that I was ready and preparing her hammer. The Whang-Od streetwear cap goes on sale for … Also, in my opinion, this helps the Butbut Tribe earn a living, get a tour guide who is a native of Buscalan or from Butbut Tribe and not from anywhere else. Whang-od Oggay (First name pronunciation: [ˈɸɐŋˈʔɘd]; [check IPA] born February 17, 1917), also known as Maria Oggay, is a Filipino tattoo artist from Buscalan, Tinglayan, Kalinga, Philippines. Hahaha! However, please also understand that having the traditional tattoo, especially by Apo Whang-od, is really worth the wait and should not be rushed. (Source: Wikipedia) Of course, who ever got a tattoo, will get a photo opp with Whang-Od too! The Whang-Od streetwear cap goes on sale … ^_^. You save: PHP 1,450.00 (50% off) Price: Discounted price PHP 1,450.00 We did not left the place until her last session because we want to know if how many people are still on queue before our turn. Other guests also said Apo loves chocolates and anything Coco Martin. I watched as the thorn punctured my skin, again and again, forcing the charcoal inside the wound, five times a second. Those who had their batok in Buscalan say that it usually takes a month or so before their tattoos get completely healed. Getting a tour guide is REQUIRED because once you reach the registration area come souvenir shop (at the top of the mountain) of Barangay Buscalan, you will be asked if you plan to get a tattoo and the name of your tour guide. They say Grace and Elyang’s hands are more gentle than Apo’s so the batok doesn’t hurt and bleed that much. This is also one of the beauty when going to Buscalan, perfect time to detach from the stressful world below. Don’t be too finicky or ‘maselan’. Having said that, if you plan to see Apo, take lots of cardio and leg exercises before your trip. Apo Whang Od is probably one of the most revered Filipinas of our generation. Fruits and Sustagen Premium are nice ideas too. Cost of homestay is Php250.00 per head for a one night stay, inclusive of unlimited rice and coffee. Healing takes time. After a week, I washed my tattoo using Dove Body Wash and put unscented moisturizer to keep it from being too dry. For better or for worse, tourism has now arrived at the village as word of Whang Od and her tattooing skills continue to spread far and wide. Prepare yourself emotionally and physically. The jeepney usually leaves some time between 1 pm and 2 pm. My bucket list adventure to Whang Od Apo, the oldest Buscalan traditional tattoo artist and living legend, to get a tattoo in the Philippines. Just drink enough water to avoid dehydration. Whang-od will start tapping along the lines using a pomelo thorn, bamboo sticks and pine soot as ink. This rare look into her daily life paints a beautiful portrait of Apo Whang-od, an artist molded by traditions and a … 6. Others only end up getting a signature from Whang-od, usually early in the morning at around 7:00am-8:00am before going back to Tinglayan Point. There were three of us by the way. Save the world, one backpack at a time. I crashed almost immediately, exhausted and all too aware that tomorrow I would finally be meeting with Whang Od. Occasionally, if she liked you, she would tattoo a westerner. Master of the handstand pushup. You only need the guide for the first day; make it clear that you don’t want to pay the guide fee after the first day. As soon as you get off the jeepney, you will probably be met by local guides. Apo Whang-Od is the legendary Filipina tattoo artist from Kalinga and the last to hold the Mambabatok title — a true tattoo master.. Whang Od carefully outlined the tattoo upon my arm using charcoal and a small stick. Close, https://www.facebook.com/thebrokebackpacker, Writer and entrepreneur. The Kalinga coffee in Buscalan is VERY GOOD so make sure to take home some. In ones and twos, the villagers came out to greet us, they spoke only limited English but luckily Pot Pot acted as a translator and before I knew it I was whisked away by a friendly family and shown a place where I could lay my pack and sleep for the night. But hey, even though it’s just 3 dots, it still eats a lot of time especially if many people are lined up for her signature. With THE Whang-Od. Starting price is usually Php300-Php500 and up. Never have I imagined myself getting a tattoo, but I did! She says that tour guides exploit Whang Od, tourists were not disciplined, hundreds line up to get a tattoo from Whang Od and she feels that she will die of exhaustion from this as she cannot even take a good break to eat her meal. Antayin muna matapos pero hindi naman overpriced si Whang-Od. Be the judge. Wear your most comfortable and sturdy shoes. Stick to the available tattoo designs. Hyponatremia can dilute your body’s sodium level, thus, causing weakness, nausea, vomiting and confusion. She still inks eight to 10 tattoos a day in Kalinga province. You can get her signature, the 3 dots, for 100p and I recommend getting there at 6am to get in line. Tattoo from Apo Whang-od depends on availabilty. I had snacked on local delicacies, made friends with a couple of chaps in the village and enjoyed chilling out for a bit. Whang-Od inks multiple tattoos a day using a few tools—a thorn from a pomelo tree, a foot-long bamboo stick, coal, and water. Show her the respect she deserves and do not hug her, touch her or invade her space with close-up photography. He urged me to climb atop yet another jeepney and with a belch of exhaust fumes we left Bontoc behind us. Standard price of Apo Whang-od’s signature is Php100. She will get it if she wants. The wind whistled past my face as I sat atop the jeepney, my eyes stretched wide to take in the plunging landscape whipping past me. And I would like to stress the posted guideline on their wall…“If you cannot wait, then you do not deserve this rare work of art.”, P.S. Mine healed after a month. 694 photos. The tattoo artist’s relatives said that Whang-od could earn as much as P5,000 a day given the stream of tourists. Charlie Pan, available at 09981888697, pretty much runs the whole backpacker scene in the village – he can arrange accommodation for you which will cost around 300 pesos per person per night and includes food. First to Review. The villagers are all wonderfully friendly people and you will end up staying in one of the villager’s homes. Pack light. Buscalan, The Philippines, the village of fierce (former) head-hunters, is today famous for being home to Whang-Od, the 100-year old, world-renowned tattoo artist who continues to ink enthusiastic visitors looking for a Filipino tribal tattoo… I initially want to wear Sandugo sandals but was glad I opted to wear rubber shoes instead. The tattoos will come afterwards starting at a price of 500 Philippine pesos. Their house is located just beside Buscalan Elementary School. (Prices … Practicalities of visiting Whang Od – July 2016 Update, Pot Pot’s walkthrough over at Travel Trilogy. You can choose to have Whang Od select the design and placement of the tattoo, as is traditional in Kalinga culture, or you can choose it yourself from a board of designs in the village. She took a quick look at our freshly-inked tattoos and told the guide the total price. Embed review. IV. Once you are inked, there’s no more turning back. She then passed it on to her grandniece, Grace Palicas, who has been to Dutdutan, the country’s biggest and grandest tattoo … In their culture, having a "batuk" or a traditional tattoo is a symbol of beauty or bravery. Now, I hoped to join the privileged few who could say that they had been tattooed by the last Kalinga tattoo master. Wait for Apo Whang-od to tell you the price of the tattoo after the session. You can choose from several traditional designs on the wooden boards provided. Hahaha. Just make the wet wipes ply available on her sight, don’t push her to get it. Batok is a form of traditional tattoo; given to warriors with unprecedented achievement during the early times. 8. So, please, pretty please, if you really want to get tattooed by Apo Whang-od, I hope you stay at least 2-3 nights in Buscalan just to be fair to other people who have waited long (did not make singit) for Apo. Waiting for the most coveted batok from Apo Whang-od can really test your patience especially if you only have one or two days to spare. Buscalan is a great spot to start more adventurous off the beaten track adventures into the hills and from Buscalan it is possible to arrange multi-day treks to other, very rarely visited Kalinga villages…. Electro-swing pumped through my headphones as I held on tight to the metal roof-rack, my fingers white from the biting wind. She was already back at her house when we were done with the tattoos from all 3 of them. Bringing a book will also help kill boredom while waiting for your turn to be tattooed. The trek to Buscalan takes between forty minutes and two hours depending on fitness. 2. The tattoos will come afterwards starting at a price of 500 Philippine pesos. A small framed 95 years old woman with shy eyes and I can see that she has that colorful vibrant personality too. The travel to Barangay Buscalan is no walk in the park and the long wait and queue to be marked by Apo is another thing. The New Era x Whang-Od line features caps and a shirt, each in black with gold prints of the mambabatok’s designs. (There’s 7PM and 8PM trips. Don't miss to visit the best Tattoo Store ever: www.tattoolifestore.com After I published my story about Getting Inked by Whang Od a couple of years ago, I’ve received numerous e-mails and private messages from people from around the world asking for more information about Buscalan and the famous tattoo artist, Apo Whang Od. Whang-Od is the oldest living mambabatok or traditional tattoo artist, and until recently, the only one left in Kalinga. These are a coconut bowl where water, charcoal, and sweet potato are combined to produce the tribal tattoo … Pero ang sure ako, if iba nagtattoo sayo and gusto mo maexperience or magpasignature kay Whang-Od, P100 additional (3 dots). Manila -- Ninety-six-year old Apo Whang-od sari-sari store so buying food is not a for. For P2,095 q: Apo Whang-od ” that it usually takes a month or so households with. Couple of chaps in the Philippines, it really did not, for in truth, really! 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