President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. hailed Apo Whang-Od, a master mambabatok (tattooist) and cultural icon from Kalinga, with the Presidential Medal of Merit for her contributions to the country’s traditional arts.
“We are honoring Apo Whang-od for works that have made her and the country famous, for other achievements that make her a Filipina worthy of our respect and of our admiration,” President Marcos said during the Awards Rites for the Outstanding Government Workers of 2023 and the Presidential Medal of Merit in Malacañang on Wednesday, Feb. 14.
The Presidential Medal of Merit is an award bestowed by the country’s president to recognize exemplary people in various fields such as arts, entertainment, literature, and science.
President Marcos called Maria “Whang-Od” Oggay, a national treasure for her invaluable work preserving the “Butbut Kalinga” art form.
“She is a keeper of the oral traditions and a mentor in teaching a new generation of artists, thus ensuring her art form lives on to tell tales of her community’s history,” the President said.
Whang-Od’s traditional tattooing has gained local and international recognition, resulting in tourists flocking to her village to see her work personally.
President Marcos also lauded her for breaking gender stereotypes by venturing into a traditionally male-dominated field. “Her contributions to the preservation of Philippine traditional arts and practices cannot be overstated,” he said.