Dutdutan 2017 recognizes Apo Whang-Od

(Photo Courtesy by Google Images)

On its 17th year, Dutdutan, a two-day Philippine tattoo expo paid tribute to the oldest mambabatok, Apo Whang-Od on September 1-2 at the World Trade Center, Pasay City.

Almost 300 tattoo artists from around the globe showcased their modern tattooing apparatus, style in putting skin art, and design which were artistically and skillfully made. But one of the main attractions in the ink fest was the booth of Kalinga's oldest traditional tattoo artist, Apo Whang-Od.

Unfortunately, Apo Whang-Od was not able to attend the exposition due to dizziness, according to the report of Mario Dumawal of ABS-CBN. But Whang-Od's grandchildren were present in the event to carry on the traditions of their mambabatok grandma. Grace and Elyang Palicas who came all the way from Cordillera represented her.

Spectators did not miss the chance to experience the hand-tapped tattooing technique called “batok”. Using the traditional apparatus in tattooing like thorn and charcoal, Grace and Elyang sampled their work of art in the audience.

Apo Whang-Od was dubbed as a living legend, wherein tourists from around the globe trek the long slopes of Buscalan, Kalinga to experience the traditional “batok”. She just turned 100 last February and has been practicing "batok" for more than eight years now.