JABAR EKSPRES – Apo Whang-Od, 106, became the oldest person ever alive to cover the high-class magazine, Vogue. She appears on the front of Vogue Philippines April 2023 issue.

Whang-Od or Maria Oggay is a tattoo artist that uses hand-tapping since she was a teen. She learned the art from the instruction of her father.

She resides in a mountain village of Buscalan, Kalinga, and considered as the Philippines oldest Kalinga tattooist – mambabatok.

“Heralded as the last mambabatok of her generation, she has imprinted the symbols of the Kalinga tribe – signifying strength, bravery, and beauty – on the skin of thousands of people who have made the pilgrimage to Buscalan,” Vogue Philippines wrote on their social media post.

Apparently, the art of creation can only be descended to blood relatives. Whang-Od grandnieces, Elyang Wigan and Grace Palicas, has been trained by her for several years.

She told CNN Travel in 2017 that “I am the only one left alive that’s still giving tattoos. But I’m not afraid that the tradition will end because (I’m training) the next tattoo masters.”

“As long as I can see well, I will keep giving tattoos. I’ll stop once my vision gets blurry.”

Bea Valdes, Vogue Philippines editor-in-chief, said that a staff from the publication had decided to add Whang-Od on the cover unanimously. “She has represented the beauty idealism about our Filipino culture.”

Actress Judi Dench was previously held the record as the oldest Vogue cover model who appeared in British Vogue in 2020. She was 85.