Whang-od Oggay is known for being thought of as the last and oldest Filipina tattoo artist from Buscalan, Tinglayan, Kalinga, Philippines. Whang-od is using a thorn from a pomelo tree, a foot-long bamboo stick, coal, and water in making permanent motifs that range from lines. She has been drawing those who visit and admires their town and art, she might look frail but when she does her work her arms had power, vigorous, and both gentle and forceful. Hands and arms are her sources of power while her mind holds the valuable designs of her people and her spirit is to preserve and persevere.
Whang Od was honored with the 2018 Dangal ng Haraya award, the highest recognition of the national government agency for arts and culture for Intangible Cultural Heritage from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). The award citation says she is recognized for her valuable contributions for the promulgation and preservation of Butbut Kalinga traditional tattoo known as fatok or whatok with the Dangal of Haraya conferment she joins the esteemed roster of awardees including past cultural advocates. Practicing the ancient art of hand tapped tattooing, Whang Od has tattooed not only elders, women, and warriors from her community but also other people such as tourist foreigners and celebrities. Her art has gone far and wide that made their home Buscalan filled with tourist and foreigners who wants to get inked with the traditional designs and her signature three-dot design and also to witness and understand how they do whatok techniques. Whang Od remains single and childless but despite of that the passing of the outstanding whatok techniques is continuously active.
Apo Whang Od Oggay is being revered more since her traditional way of tattooing gains a lot of acceptance, fascination, and appreciation.
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