Also, many people say (those who have experienced machine tattoos already) that a batok or Apo Whang-od’s traditional way of tattooing is more painful than machine tattoos so you also have to consider that. 11. Details about PHILIPPINES - KALINGA TATTOO LADY - WHANG OD - ORIGINAL WATERCOLOR PAINTING. Shameless bit of self promo here but this book is basically my dissertation on backpacking, nine years of tips and tricks and your purchase helps keep the site going. It can be bought in Buscalan, just ask your guide to buy one for you. Meet your tour guide at the turning point in Tinglayan and start your trek to the village of Buscalan. We arrived at the registration area of Buscalan, Friday, 11:30am and we only had the chance to be tattooed the following day, Saturday, at 2:00pm. 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). There’s no off-peak season for Apo Whang-od. The handmade ink is tapped deep into the skin using the … In our case, we gave her a lipstick (I learned she loves ’em), big pack of wet wipes and Lemon Square cupcakes. Some people make singit so be sure to tell or remind your guide to be vigilant as well. What is also intriguing is that 102 year old Whang-Od seems to be one of the last tattoo … 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. I really mean it! Whang Od: An Icon of Pop Culture. It was going to be dark soon. Whang Od Tattoo Designs. (Source: Wikipedia) Of course, who ever got a tattoo, will get a photo opp with Whang-Od too! The Kalinga coffee in Buscalan is VERY GOOD so make sure to take home some. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Tattoo Life Crew. My bucket list adventure to Whang Od Apo, the oldest Buscalan traditional tattoo artist and living legend, to get a tattoo in the Philippines. First to Review. In my experience, I just put Bactroban Anti-bacterial ointment the night after having my tattoo. I had waited years to meet Whang Od, a truly incredible woman. 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. It seemed impractical, to … I initially want to wear Sandugo sandals but was glad I opted to wear rubber shoes instead. a. It’s a tattoo, it’s permanent, so ask yourself a hundred times if you really want to get one. She is increasingly fussy about who she tattoos, as is her right. We arrived at Whang-od’s house at 1pm. 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…. Did I say the trek was not easy? 1. Hindi nagcucustomize si Whang-Od ng tattoo. All rights reserved. ^_^. Wait for Apo Whang-od to tell you the price of the tattoo after the session. Recent sales price provided by the seller. 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… Apo stopped tattoing at almost 6:00pm (it was summer so sunset was late). People from Buscalan say that it is advisable to go during weekdays  as there are less people lining up. She is a living national treasure being hailed as the oldest “ Mambabatok ” of the native tribe of Butbut in Buscalan Village, Kalinga. Patience is a virtue. I strongly recommend that you bring Whang Od some … Whang-Od is the oldest living mambabatok or traditional tattoo artist, and until recently, the only one left in Kalinga. It would also help if you join the Facebook Group “Tattooed by Apo Whang-od” if you have further questions before going up or if you can join a group tour going to Buscalan so you can save more. There’s an extra fee if you exceed 5). 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. In their culture, having a "batuk" or a traditional tattoo is a symbol of beauty or bravery. 5. Hyponatremia can dilute your body’s sodium level, thus, causing weakness, nausea, vomiting and confusion. IV. You can get her signature, the 3 dots, for 100p and I … Also, I would be a hypocrite If I say that it doesn’t hurt because it really does. Price: Apo Whang-Od is the only one who decides on the price. These are a coconut bowl where water, charcoal, and sweet potato are combined to produce the tribal tattoo … Prices are subject to change with out prior notice For rates for less than 06 participants please contact us. You’ll know it’s almost done when Apo Whang-od starts imprinting her signature “3 dots”. A pattern will be drawn on your skin using a thin grass stalk. Hubby had previously requested that both Whang Od and her niece, Grace, give him his batek so that he can have one unified piece that would represent both the old and the new generation of Kalinga tattoo artists. 4. , if you plan to see Apo, take lots of cardio and leg exercises before your trip. Heat of the sun can also be unbearable so bring a cap and put on some sunblock for protection. I watched as the thorn punctured my skin, again and again, forcing the charcoal inside the wound, five times a second. You have to take a guide or you are not allowed to visit the village – the guide fee is 1000 pesos per day per group. The jeepney took us as far as possible before the road dwindled to nothing and we got out to continue on foot. I. They are not persistent but the happiness you see whenever you hand them little treats is just priceless. If you are planning to go to Buscalan anytime soon, here are few things you need to know before getting a tattoo from the Oldest Mambabatok (traditional Kalinga tattooist) and National Living Treasure in the mountain of Kalinga. Animal skulls and chicken feet hung from every square inch of a nearby house. Master of the handstand pushup. 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. A: Depends on how big the design is. Start your review today. Ride a Victory Liner bus from Kamias station to Tabuk. Or get 4-5 business-day shipping on this item for $5.99 . Stick to the available tattoo designs. Yes, it’s manageable because I did not cry (hahaha) but for me it hurts and I bled a lot. Whang Od didn’t look like she was in her nineties. Pot Pot’s walkthrough over at Travel Trilogy is well worth a read for more info on Buscalan. The trek to Barangay Buscalan can be considered as an initiation already. Nov 30, 2015 - Explore Claudia Cojuangco's board "Whang Od | Kalinga Tattoos | Traditional Tattooing", followed by 164 people on Pinterest. Electro-swing pumped through my headphones as I held on tight to the metal roof-rack, my fingers white from the biting wind. To get to Buscalan, Whang Od’s village, you must first travel to Bontoc – an easy jump from Sagada or an overnight bus from Manila. Apo Whang Od is considered as the oldest living tattooist in the Philippines at the age of 103. They are usually parked across Mister Donut. 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. See more ideas about Tattoos, Filipino tattoos, Traditional tattoo. There are no hostels nor guesthouses in Buscalan and the only accommodation they can offer is a homestay. Bring a bottle of water to keep you hydrated but please don’t drink too much while trekking to avoid overhydrating or hyponatremia due to too much water intake. PICTURE with Apo! 3. A: Depends on how big the design is. I had spent most of the morning agonizing over what tattoo to get and had, in the end, decided upon a fern; a symbol of rebirth and, I later found out, fertility. A: I can only speak for myself because I believe each person’s pain threshold varies. I had snacked on local delicacies, made friends with a couple of chaps in the village and enjoyed chilling out for a bit. Apo will make two or more passes or finishing touches on the already pierced skin (for me that’s the part when it hurts the most) to make sure that pattern has been engraved properly and ink was fully absorbed by your skin. These are the usual tribal/traditional tattoo designs. She will get it if she wants. Thus, your smart phone is good for nothing except for taking photos and videos. Whang Od Oggay, who is roughly 100, a traditional tattoo artist in the Philippines. With that, if you have any plans to hit the beach anytime soon, take into consideration the healing time needed. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. There’s no phone signal in Buscalan, all the more data signal. Apo(a word to show respect) Whang-od does NOT do full tattoos anymore because she is 101 years old and her eyesight isn’t up to it anymore. However, instead of giving them candies (bad for their teeth), go for breads, fruits or even toys and school supplies if you can. 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. If I’m not mistaken, she doesn’t do customized designs. They say Grace and Elyang’s hands are more gentle than Apo’s so the batok doesn’t hurt and bleed that much. Legendary tattoo master Whang-Od was transported from her tribal village of Buscalan to the capital for the Manila FAME trade show, with the help of the Philippine Army and Air Force. The Whang-Od streetwear cap goes on sale … 7. Batok is a form of traditional tattoo; given to warriors with unprecedented achievement during the early times. This is also for the protection of the tourists so please heed their advise. Others get lucky but it’s not always the situation. III. It took us exactly 1 hour with 3 very brief stops to rest and catch our breaths. Apo (a word to show respect) Whang-od does NOT do full tattoos anymore because she is 101 years old and her eyesight isn’t up to it anymore. I am afraid of injections). Apo Whang Od is probably one of the most revered Filipinas of our generation. bacolod11 . Travelers, not just from the Philippines, all over the world visit her just to have this traditional tattoo as a form of lifetime and meaningful souvenir, but visiting her place is quite challenging. The tattoo session. IV. Mine healed after a month. Check out TakeFive Outdoors ‘s compilation of the 10 most popular Kalinga tattoos people usually get tatted on them by Whang-Od:. An hour later, I could see ahead a small village perched atop a particularly steep-looking hill. Adventurer and vagabond. Shorts, leggings, few shirts (depending on the length of your stay) and one reliable jacket or shawl would do. I guess this also depends on the pain tolerance of a person because others say otherwise. I strongly recommend that you bring Whang Od some gifts, we bought her some basic food stuff – soft bread (she doesn’t have that many teeth left!) 425 reviews. Once you have been tattooed, Whang Od will then tell you how much your tattoo costs – it will probably be between 400 and 1000 pesos. Hahaha. Her enigmatic tattoos are the main reason travelers from all over the world come to … I kept observing the tattoos. I am glad that tattoo … 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. Plus other collabs with the legendary tattoo artist. I went on the long journey to meet the famous Apo Whang Od, the last mambabatok (tribal tattoo artist) in her village, Kalinga. 2. Save the world, one backpack at a time. I was here to find Apo Whang Od, a living legend and the last Kalinga tattoo artist to hold the title of Mamababatok – the tattoo master. Compass This was not why I was here. The villagers are all wonderfully friendly people and you will end up staying in one of the villager’s homes. MANILA -- Ninety-six-year old Apo Whang-od is the oldest "mambabatok" in Tinglayan, Kalinga province. She still inks eight to 10 tattoos a day in Kalinga province. A fun fact about tattooing here is about the legendary Maria “Whang Od” Oggay. We believed they just arrived the previous day and we obviously arrived first, but then again, since they just want Apo’s signature, we can’t do anything but give way. Whack, whack, whack. Wear your most comfortable and sturdy shoes. People with tattoo in the past decades are considered as ex-convicts because the idea of tattoo … The tattoos will come afterwards starting at a price of 500 Philippine pesos. A living legend in the Philippines, she has mastered the indigenous inking art of the “batok” and is a … Apo Whang Od’s tattoo has almost healed but the Fern tattoo was only healed from the outside. Rate of tour guide is Php1,000 per day (max of 5 pax. Spin Locker. Get a tour guide. Despite her popularity, preserving the rich Kalinga art faces many setbacks. As for the wet wipes, make sure to make every ply accessible to Apo so she will use it to wipe the ink and blood from your skin. It was still sore and delicate to the touch. 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. Required Cookies & Technologies. Bring oil, petroleum jelly and antibacterial wipes. Practicalities of visiting Whang Od – July 2016 Update, Pot Pot’s walkthrough over at Travel Trilogy. Their house is located just beside Buscalan Elementary School. The Whang-Od tattoo cap from New Era Caps Philippines is on sale for P2,095. Tiny droplets of blood decorated my arm as slowly but surely, the design came to life upon my flesh. II. You save: PHP 1,450.00 (50% off) Price: Discounted price PHP 1,450.00 Whang–od paints her art unto the canvass of 15-20 persons daily, flanked by her apprentices, and can accommodate close to a hundred sessions with a price ranging from 300 to thousands of pesos depending on size and complexity. Again, it depends on how big the design is and if how easy your skin can absorb the pine tree soot (ink). 29 July 2017 on CODA Lines, apo whang od, fang od, buscalan, kalinga, backpacking philippines, bus to buscalan, legendary tattoo artist, photos coda lines bus If you're dreaming to reach Apo Whang … We stayed at Kuya Santi’s Homestay and they have a sari-sari store so buying food is not a problem for us. Whang Od lives in Kalinga province located in the mountainous area in the northern Philippines and is the last mambabatok—a traditional Kalinga tattooist.This tattoo … I had been conformable travelling in Sagada, happy to be in a small mountain town with a cool climate and numerous hike. With so few reviews, your opinion of Apo Whang Od Tattoo Artist could be huge. You can also travel by zipline for 100 pesos if the zipline is running (it often isn’t). I sat there waiting for Pot Pot, a local chap who had offered to take me to visit Whang Od. She is a living national treasure being hailed as the oldest “ Mambabatok ” of the native tribe of Butbut in Buscalan Village, Kalinga. You can get her signature, the 3 dots, for 100p and I recommend getting there at 6am to get in line. Also, please be reminded that going to the beach or swimming in pools are not allowed until your tattoo is completely healed (exposing your tattoo to the sun and water for a long period of time might affect the final look of the tattoo) . Be sure to check out the villager’s awesome bamboo smoking pipes… They are an excellent way to keep yourself entertained in the evening and to help support crafts in the village. Will has been on the road for thirteen years, travelling to far-flung lands on a budget. Once you have been tattooed, Whang Od will then tell you how much your tattoo costs – it will probably be between 400 and 1000 pesos. Mambabatok refers to the people who practice the art of traditional tattoo … 9. 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