Renascence of a 1000-Year-Old Tradition

Renascence of a 1000-Year-Old Tradition

For many generations, the people of Buscalan, Kalinga held onto their prized art of traditional tattooing or pagbabatok. Their tattoos were a symbol of pride earned by betrothed women and men for their valor and strength, their skins a living canvas embellished with the cultural heritage of their tribe. 

Considered as a dying art in the turn of the century, the pagbabatok now rests on the shoulders of Whang-Od Oggay, the last mambabatok of Kalinga and the Philippines’ oldest tattoo artist, and her successors, Grace Palicas and Ilyang Wigan. 

The unsung heroes of our generation, the mambabatoks will join the best craftsmen in the country in the 66th edition of Manila FAME to show the world the Philippine culture and its impact for generations to come.