President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. bestowed the prestigious Presidential Medal of Merit upon Maria “Whang-Od” Oggay, a renowned traditional tattoo artist, during a ceremony held at MalacaƱang. In his address, the President hailed Whang-Od as a “national treasure” and “an enabler for unity,” recognizing her invaluable contributions to the preservation of traditional arts and practices.
Whang-Od’s artistic prowess and dedication to her craft have brought her and the country widespread recognition. President Marcos commended her for breaking gender stereotypes and venturing into tattooing at a time when it was predominantly considered a male domain. Furthermore, he emphasized her role as a keeper of oral traditions and a mentor, passing on her knowledge and skills to a new generation of artists, thus ensuring the continuity of her community’s rich history.
The President also lauded Whang-Od for her efforts in upholding indigenous culture through her tattoo work, elevating the Philippines onto the international stage. Her exceptional talent and status as an internationally recognized artist have raised awareness of the country’s cultural heritage worldwide. President Marcos emphasized that Whang-Od’s art transcends cultural and political boundaries, serving as a unifying force that binds people from diverse backgrounds.
Whang-Od, a revered “mambabatok” (traditional Kalinga tattooist) from Barangay Buscalan in Tinglayan town, Kalinga, is the last of her generation. She practices her art in the traditional manner, utilizing wood attached with a thorn from a citrus tree, along with ink derived from natural dye and soot. Remarkably, she performs her tattooing without the use of any chemical anesthetics.
Whang-Od collaborates with her grandnieces, imparting her cultural heritage and skills to them through continuous training. This ensures the preservation of her unique art form for future generations. In recognition of her invaluable contribution to the country’s intangible cultural heritage, she was honored with the Dangal ng Haraya award by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts in 2018.
President Marcos also took the opportunity to recognize the remarkable and honest work of several government workers who have positively impacted the lives of the Filipino people. One such individual is Fernando Viado, a government worker from Antipolo City, who, despite becoming partially deaf due to a work-related incident, continued to excel as a mechanic for the City Government of Antipolo. President Marcos commended the awardees for their audacity in transforming bold ideas into reality, seizing opportunities to make a difference in the lives of the people they serve.
The conferment of the Presidential Medal of Merit upon Whang-Od and the recognition of exceptional government workers highlight the commitment of the Philippines to honor those who contribute significantly to the preservation of cultural heritage and the betterment of society. These individuals, through their dedication and passion, serve as inspirations to present and future generations, embodying the spirit of unity and progress.
Source: The Manila Times
