Whang-Od receives Dangal ng Haraya award

“Despite Whang-od’s old age and dwindling eyesight, she never stopped practicing the age-old tradition of the Kalinga’s tattoo practice and its visual symbolisms that depict the province’s rituals – from childbirth, adulthood, marriage and death,” Legarda said. (Photo: Senator Loren Legarda/Faacebook)

The National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA) on Monday, June 25, conferred a national cultural heritage award to Maria “Whang-od” Oggay, a 102-year old mambabatok (traditional artist) from Kalinga.

Whang-od received the 2018 Dangal ng Haraya Award for Intangible Cultural Heritage, an award given to living Filipinos for their outstanding achievements in relevant fields that have made an impact and significant contribution to Philippine culture and arts.

Aside from the folk artist, previous recipients of the award include cultural advocates like late senator Edgardo Angara, Architect Augusto Villalon, writer and TV host Susan Calo Medina, anthropologist and then National Museum director Jesus Peralta, and Senator Loren Legarda.

It was Legarda who personally conferred the award to Whang-od.

In a statement on Monday, the senator congratulated Whang-od for being a recipient of the title, acknowledging her contribution in keeping the ancient tradition of Kalinga’s form of tattooing alive, amid emerging modern techniques of body art.

“Despite Whang-od’s old age and dwindling eyesight, she never stopped practicing the age-old tradition of the Kalinga’s tattoo practice and its visual symbolisms that depict the province’s rituals – from childbirth, adulthood, marriage and death,” Legarda said.

“As the last known mambabatok, I somehow feel wistful that the intricate process of Kalinga’s tattoo tradition might soon be forgotten. I am still hoping that younger generations in Kalinga will take on the responsibility of keeping this custom alive, learn and obtain the skills and expertise of Whang-od, so that this symbolic Filipino art will never have to fade away,” she added.

Calling Whang-od as one of the pillars of the Philippines’ vibrant culture and living traditions, Legarda said her commitment in cultural preservation leaves a “distinct mark” in the country’s history that creates and completes the Filipino’s national identity.

Last February, the upper house also adopted a resolution nominating Whang-od for the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA), also known as the National Living Treasures Award.