How Tattoos Are Made With Charcoal and Thorns In The Philippines | Still Standing | Insider Business
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- Опубліковано 17 сер 2023
- At 106, Apo Whang-od is the oldest known person practicing batok, a traditional tattooing technique that dates back 1,000 years in the Philippines. These tattoos were once badges of honor to warriors who protected the land. But centuries of colonization from the West made this art nearly obsolete. For more information on Spiritual Journey Tattoo, visit www.spiritualjourneytattoo.com.
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How A 106-Year-Old Tattoo Master Revived A Filipino Tradition And Became A Worldwide Celebrity
She was alive when the world was experiencing the post WWI boom, lived through WWII during occupation, saw philippine gain its independence, the end of the Cold War, and the Covid pandemic. What a life!!
I agree she has lived an awesome life. The change just technology alone. The ability to travel, sanitation, vaccinations. The means of how we get information and share information. She started her life in a very isolated. Now she sees news from all over the world and people from all over the world can see her.
You forgot she outlived a dictatorship only to see bongbong return to power.
Covid Plandemic
Technically she was already alive during the tail end of WW1 and throughout the Spanish Flu!
@@NikkiSarinoPadathe oldest is from Negros Occidental, she died last year at the age of 122 years old.
The fact that shes 106 and have that much energy is amazing.
It's actually kinda unbelievable... almost as if she is lying about her age....
Nah the reason is she's from a third world country and can't just retire and sit infront of the TV at 50 waiting to die, she still has to do stuff which kept her body and mind in shape.@@Shloopers
@@Shlooperssome of Indigenous People In their 90's in their neighborhood tribe can confirm that she's more than a 100, they remember her as a teenager when they were still kids. Also one prove that she's a centenarian is her tattoos coz when the Americans came to the Cordillera they prohibited the people to have these tattoos as it is deemed as paganism. And she's one of those who have those ancients designs locared in specific body parts it means she has them before Americans came.
She doesn't like any food that has MSG on it.
@@ShloopersThat's just how living in the mountains and eating fresh everyday does to you unlike Americans who eat everything processed and proceed to rot in front of televisions.
She is beautiful. A symbol of resistance, resilience and authenticity.
Now she is a tourist symbol for white women "finding themselves".
resistance? to what? shes just an old skank that does tattoos stop trying to make it like shes some kind of freedom fighter or something.
It sound like how the philippines was made
It kills me that she and the younger woman artist felt they aren't beautiful.
The GOAT in this video is her father for breaking tradition and teach her the art
W father
She absolutely deserves that celebrity status. She is a dope artist and is keeping her peoples cultural traditions alive.
A dope artist? She does dots raise your standards of what’s cool
106 is crazy she looks better than some people at 60 wtf
Asian genes and she’s fit
And her eyesight
traditional diet
living in the mountains with little to no pollution, having a diet consisting of their home grown food, and getting enough exercise by moving around in the terrain makes her really fit. The natural scenery is also calming to the mood. My grandpa is 80, lives in the countryside and still insists on doing a lot of the housework.
Nowadays you got 60 years olds who can’t even carry their own weight. Their knees break from the weight because they take several times more calories than they burn. They don’t exercise, they have terrible diet and breathe bad air… not to mention exposure to mentally exhausting people and toxic social lives that mess up their blood pressure.
She must have been very very beautiful when she was young.she still is..❤ damn❤️❤️❤️❤️
Most of us tend to be self-conscious. But I think we can all agree, she's beautiful. Hope she remains strong and lives longer.
her time is almost to leave, she got fooled by devil with her mentality, loving tattoos which are forbidden, may Allah guide her if she have a good heart to the right path
@@aerokasyeal4840
wow that's crazy but we don't remember asking
@@aerokasyeal4840Tattoos are part of their culture, if you can't respect other culture's then shut up please. Respect other cultures if you want others to respect yours.
@@aerokasyeal4840cry about it
Just keep living, hope you will have a long life also
I must say she is not a NATIONAL but a GLOBAL TREASURE. At 106, she carries out her job and the duty, I guess she is a role model to all of us.
I am proud and honored to be inked by her. Because this is not just an ordinary tattoo, this is a tattoo of my people. And as a History teacher, it is meant be shared to my student about our culture and the story of our people.
I hope to visit there one day, how beautiful was it making your way there? Looks like an amazing life experience going there for sure.
Wow, you are so lucky! I know I gave myself a tattoo at 15 with indigo ink and a needle and thread and it hurt unlike a motorized needle which mine didn't hurt bad, they barely hurt at all. Did your tat by her hurt?
Respects from Okinawa! Happy to see Philippines keep their culture, since ours were banned due to colonization too (it used to be called Hajichi)
Colonization in Japan? By who? I've never heard that before?
@@LifeOdysseyMotivation By Japan. Okinawa aka Ryukyu used to be it's own country before it became Japan in the late 19th century, and banned traditional tatoos to "civilize" the locals
@@yuimaaaru_ai19 oh, I thought that Okinawa is really and originally part of Japan. Your place is colonized and claimed. But the names Okinawa and Hajichi sounds Japanese.
The Japanese isles aren't ethnically homogenous. Okinawans are distinct in the South, and in the North you have the Ainu - whose culture is slowly dying after centuries of repression.
Historically, most of the people of the archipelago (Philippines) heavily revered the sacredness and cultural significance of body tattooing (batik/batok/patik/batek). It is, as well, the hallmark of Austronesian culture that has been around for thousands of years.
Mentioning Cordillera, I would like to add that lowlanders including Ilocos (Samtoy) and Pangasinan also practiced tattooing before Spanish inquisition. Sadly, even within the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), the Kalinga group is the only practicing group, with the other groups like Ifugao, Ibaloi, Bontoc not practicing it anymore, but only left with elders with tattoos, but no more tattooers.
The art of tattooing way before ethnolinguistic diversification occurred at the archipelago was similar throughout, and gradually the art made its own identity corresponding to the group given their distinctive patterns.
Cultural taboos, after Spain’s unwelcoming gift of Christianisation brought Western dogma that damaged MUCH of Austronesian culture and Animism (Anito) beliefs. The colonised lowlanders would mostly ridicule those highlanders who fought relentlessly against foreign forces for the sake of saving their ancient heritage, which is ironic since lowlanders have lost more heritage compared to the latter.
gift you say? no its a curse.
after spain came to ph archipelago
their belief wreck havoc to all who dont want to accept it
It is a shame isn't it. Even on the internet you can see the cultural decimation that white people brought onto these people. It is quite normal to see Vietnamese people being proud of fighting off the Americans, but when you see Pinoys, they are often arguing with people about how proud they are that they have 0.00001% Spanish blood or that Filipinos are Spanish people, some are even proud of the American slave pet surnames they got during that period. I overuse the word 'wretched' to describe being Filipino and I'm jealous of the people who preserved their authentic culture like Apo Whang Od's community.
By white people you mean Spaniards? I wasn't aware the Spanish identified as white.
@@LernestW lmao, Spanish conquistaderos were white. Most of whom were of white European noble bloodlines. A glance at a book about them would prove you this. These conquistadors immediately discriminated against Filipinos when they colonized the Philippines --- generally referring to them as "indios," while indigenous tribes were called "remontados," "salvajes," "infieles," "tulisanes," etc. White colonists have a knack for making up derogatory terms lol
@@LernestWSpanish people in Spain do identify as white people. Latinos in America don't. Because they're mixed.
Hearing her say that she's happy she got to help other people by tattooing really warms my heart. Living a simple life but happy.
I'm happy that a lot of Apo Whang-Od's people has taken up the art of batok tattoos. Someday I hope to go to her place and get a tattoo from her or from someone from her village.
Bring anything that has the actor coco martin face on it and give it to her. She will appreciate that so much. 😊
@@mitchmendoza9025 really? I didn't know Apo Whang Od is a big fan of Coco Martin.
She still has so much energy and knowledge left to give at 106, it's amazing. A lot of people aren't even that vibrant at 25.... What passion and culture does for you!
NOT TRUE!!!
@@adamabramson2504 Aaaamd that's how I know i'm right!
@@woIf YOU'RE STILL WRONG!!!
@@woIf THAT STILL COUNTS AS ACCOMPLISHING STUFF!!!
@@woIf YOU'RE WRONG!!! 3140'D BACK TO YOU!!!
The happiness in her face is so moving. Her smile is infectious and it’s amazing to see this beautiful form of art is being passed on.
I was actually on my way to a local exhibition, but I stopped everything to watch this entire video about Apo Whang-Od. Her story is truly eye-opening, and she looks so beautiful. I was so impressed that I even googled her to learn more about her life and art. Even though I don't have any tattoos at the moment, I am actually thinking of getting her iconic three dots after watching this. It feels like a blessing. Her dedication to traditional tattooing and her inspiring story have left a profound impact on me.❤
I remember watching videos of her couple years ago and to see that she is still around in 2023 is truly amazing and a blessing ❤️
I’m so happy to see her continue to practice her native tattoo art. A cultural treasure!
I am so proud I get tattooed by the legend! We went there last weekend of January, and though she's still tattooing at night, she still got her 100% of energy and smiling all throughout. I really wish she will live long. I want to go back again to see her. ❤
She's the most beautiful 100 year old iv ever seen..seriously beautiful
Apo Whang-Od should be consider as one of the national artist of the philippines. She truly deserve that title.
She was awarded National Living Treasure, the equivalent of National Artist for traditional arts.
She and her granddaughter gave me a tattoo. It was a total trip being in her village. The people in the North believe she is definitely not the last to know her tattoo art, but she is certainly the most famous for it.
I also remember the hike up from where the bus left us being very difficult in the heat, and kinda narrow and treacherous. But i dont remember it being miles long. Just hot and difficult.
Also she doesnt take proper health and safety precautions with her needles and plenty of people has suffered blood infections from that. It is known. But her granddaughter is much more progressive and does things cleaner.
She's cheerful and energetic for her age. A symbol of art indeed.
All of Kalinga's ancestors in heaven must be smiling with pride over Apo Whang-od for saving this dying art. Imagine giving birth to 150+ tattoo artists from just being the only one.
She is wrong, she is absolutely stunningly beautiful!
Also, I had tears in my eyes when she asked the guy from the US to give her a tattoo so eagerly. How incredibly wholesome!
She is just absolutely beautiful and talented.
Got my signature 3 dots tattoo by Whang-od last March 24, 2024. And it was so glorious. Forever grateful. Thank you Apo, I love you!
As a Filipino, it is still my dream to get a tattoo from APO Whang-od. Those 3 dots got special significance in my personal life. So I wish I can have it.
3 dots lang pala, patattoo mo jan sa tambay sa kanto nyo.. may pa-significance significance ka pang kagaguhang nalalaman tss
@@RaphaelManalo Malalaki yung tattoos na ginagawa niya before. Ngayon 3 dots nlg kasi hindi na sya maayos kapag tattoo ng ibang mga designs nila kasi mahina na ang mata niya.
@@RaphaelManalo Ang apo nya si Grace ang pumalit sa knya sa pag tattoo.
@@RaphaelManalo OA naman ng galit mo hahaha. Syempre to get a tattoo from the world's oldest tattoo artist means something. Kumbaga hindi lang basta basta yung tattoo na yun.
@@RaphaelManaloPare, epal mo naman. Wala ka ng ibang masabi kundi kabastusan. Para kang lumaki na wlang magulang na nag turo sayo pano rumispeto. Kahit gaano ka liit ng bagay, may sentimental value yan sa ibang tao.
Being an Indian I can say that I have seen the most beautiful 106 year old woman who is equally beautiful at heart. god bless her .🎉
i remember from a docu years ago where they used to wonder who would inherit apo whang-od's legacy since it was only her niece, grace, who was interested to follow her footsteps. i'm so happy to know that there are hundred now who found passion in keeping batok alive ☺
It's not just the tatoos, it's how you have travel and hike to her place makes this a little extra special.
And the way she gives your balls a little squeeze after the hike. 😂
She has such energy and ability to communicate for a 106 year old! I want to know her secret!
Its pretty normal for the people in her area to live long because of the lifestyle and food. Unfortunately Apo Whang Od cannot do the complicated designs she used to do now because of her age, hence the three dot signature of hers. But she's still pretty strong for being 106
@@troyancheta3803 I think she can still do it. The problem is the number of tourist who wants to get tatooed so to accomodate them and save precious time, she reduced her tatoos to only 3 dots to accomodate much more customers and save her energy. The more complicated tatoos were are now being done by her grand nieces.
She is our treasure here, hopefully someday when the time comes and she has to leave she will be put in our money. She deserves a spot on our bills because of her contribution to our culture.
no
@@kzm-cb5mr yes.
Her designs will be in the currency
can we talk how fabulous her hair still is for 106 years old...amazing woman
8 years ago, Shes branded as "The Last Mambabatok" mambabatok means Tattoo Aritst, because shes literally the Last at that Time. A local news station made a Documentary about him. And thats when the time she gained attention. Shes already 95+ yrs old, and people get worried that the culture would be gone if she pass away. And its a tragedy that a culture of thousand years would be gone. And the knowledge can only be pass throug blood relatives and she doesnt have offsprings. Luckily through the years she got more attention and one of her grand niece, decided to learn the ancient craft. 😊.
It's admirable that she managed to preserved centuries old of pre colonial filipino traditions
Apo Whang-od is one gifted and talented artist. The art she embeds on the skin tell stories. They're not just there for mere decoration. The symbolisms lie deep.
Wow. She is living and leaving her "mark" on the world. Beautiful.
Thank you for featuring her, it's so nice to see her being featured in your platform not just on vlogs of people who intend to draw attention to themselves. I'm from the Philippines living in the same province with Apo Whang-od and I have been watching all of Insider's channels for over two years now, your contents are not only informative and interesting but also entertaining in a way. I hope you will continue to grown and introduce more of the things other people don't know about.
Thank you Insider Business for bringing this Still Standing Episode. Bringing awareness to the World about "Mambabatok" Tattoo. I did not visit Whang-Od yet, but planning to get her signature tattoo in the future :D Proud to be a Filipino 🇵🇭
HE GOT TO TATTOO A LEGEND. WHAT A COOL HONOUR!
I HAVE NO INK. THE ONLY ONES I WANT ARE TAP. (PICK AND STAB TOO)
Her spirit shines really bright. She’s authentic and genuine. I don’t feel any negative vibes from her. One o my bucket list.
That’s my aunt at 12:00!!! Super proud of her ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you for this wonderful feature BI. Apo Whang-Od is truly a national treasure and I'm sure her legacy will live on for many more generations.
She radiates genuine kindness and beauty. I can't help myself smile when she talks. Really amazing!
im not into tattoos but wow i get really inspired and amazed by these artists who really worked hard to perfect their crafts and keeping on the culture and tradition ..
It's crazy!
We were just there a while ago and had a pic with her 😊 Though we were not inked by her, her grandchildren did her justice 😁 She is truly one of her kind as we at the neighbouring towns have lost our tattooing practices and the last to be tattooed in our family was my great grandmother 😊
Hoping to be inked by her someday. Nonetheless, she is a legend 😊
We love Apo Whang-Od. Thank you for this beautiful feature, a lovely tribute for our national treasure. More strength and good health to Apo!
most legends are only appreciated after their death because the impact they made in the society is only felt after they're gone. I'm happy that she saw the impact of her life and live happily. I hope she enjoys all of her remaining years more(which, by the looks of it, she might outlive me, and im only 23, haha)
Simply beautiful! Her and her arts 🖤
She seems like a nice wizard wise lady her hair is gorgeous.
Y'all are blowing her up. It's crazy how the symbol of 3 dots can mean so many things in different cultures. I'm glad that her grandkids keep it going.
So surprised to see her this mobile and alive at 106
I know it sounds weird to say this, but she actually looks pretty young considering she’s 106. Centennials I know look like skeletons. She looks like she’s between 80 and 90.
@@SolvayConference Centenarians are usually "built different", genetically speaking. It sounds like I'm making this up, but I saw a documentary about it once. Very few "normal" people reach triple digits, and they look like mummies by then.
@@SolvayConference no clue if this is the case with her, but many of my Filipino relatives >80 yrs old don't actually know their real birth date or even year. they didn't have proper records in most villages back then, and number systems representing dates were just not widely used. when the government started making records, families would make up a date they believed to be accurate. many would claim children were older than they actually were for work and emigration purposes (not sure why exactly). I'm curious if she's actually 106, or maybe 86, 96, etc. whatever age she is doesn't take away from what she has done
@@SolvayConference not to mention all of her teeth are intact. I never thought that'd be possible.
@@hidum5779her teeth are still intact because the lives of ourapo whang od or any old people in the philippines does not have the capabilities on their younger lives to buy does sugar or any sweet related food that can easily destroy/decay their teeth that is why it is still intact, and when you say those centenials should be like skeleton, please try to search what truly centenials look like in the 100 so that you should not make baseless things ok
This is a beautiful story and video from start to end. May this woman live FOREVER. I remember I seen her awhile back fast forward not only if she alive and healthier than ever but she’s a celebrity now, whaaat. Good on her!
It's so nice to see a strong Filipina woman like her are just amazing treasures.
A massive thanks to Insider Business team for this wonderful documentary. This is remarkable. Mabuhay...
Elegant pa rin siyang tingnan. I really admire her.
She does not look 106. Her hair color is beautiful.
Whatever makes you happy
I remember seeing a video years ago about her and what she went through. It makes me so happy to hear she is doing even better and that she is still going strong ❤❤ I’m also very happy that’s her two grand daughters have flowered into the tattoo along side her!❤❤❤❤
Shame on NasDaily for monetizing for a without permission glad it did not continue
Kudos to Business Insider for this showing and explaining Wang-Od unique and rich stories. beautiful ❤
What's the difference, Whang Od also monetized her people's tradition...
@@kzm-cb5mrThe main difference being she's a batok culture-bearer; he isn't.
@@kzm-cb5mrIt's her tradition. What Nas wanted was to monetize it exclusively for himself. No other people, including her kin, can learn from her because Nas wanted exclusivity. Which is criminally scandalous and unethical, considering that he intended to profit from her art but people of her tribe couldn't, had he gotten his way....at least with yoga, no white person exclusively dared to patent it against the people who originated it
This is one of the coolest videos you guys have posted in a while!
Hey team, keep going with this still standing series. I completely love it.
she's so inspring. I hope all the women I care can live a long and happy life like her
What an amazing and beautiful person! Fascinating story!
Comparing her life before and now is very inspiring. I hope her legacy and the tattooing method will continue with young generation.
You mean tiktok
She's so cute, lively and pretty still. What a life she's lived and it's not over yet.
Guinness world record should give this lady her award for being in the most filmed tattoo artist In the world, she's getting that 🤑
the best part about her rise to fame is she never had to change herself. she just continued on doing what she's grown passionate about doing.
❤❤No words ❤❤to show❤❤my appreciation ❤❤for such a well done reporting!!!!
So happy for Whang Od and Grace and Elyang they are now the recognized superstars that they are! During the early days we used to bring her snickers since it was her fave! Now i bet she gets all the chocolate she wants❤😊
The perfect story to feature in Still Standing series, that woman is a beast!
She's definitely a living legend.
She was born before the queen and yet still here even after the queen left.
We just got our tatts weeks ago. Lovely experience.
106 year old is making tattoos and earning money... I'm at 27 and jobless... ☹️
😂
You got plenty of time man, hang in there.
I still remember the whole nas daily drama that happened between him and tattoo artist over the illegal use of her name to sell a tattoo course.
It's a good thing indigenous people and their culture is protected by law, that was why he couldn't assert the contract she 'signed'.
whoa really? I was following nasdaily, but I won't do it now after learning this.
@@hidum5779 ya there was a bit controversy 1 year ago where it was alleged that nas did not took the permission for that course in nas academy
what happened?
@@kayilla6413 let me give you a short version
Nas Daily interviewed her a year ago for her tattoo skills and after some months a course appears on the nas academy website ( where you can learn courses from the people he interviewed ) but the problem was that the course was not taught by her also without her permission.
shes so beautiful thats grandMOTHER
PERIOD
This makes Ink Master look like a 24 year old game.
Her skills are amazing and she has incredible cognition for someone her age.
Got my first tattoo from Grace and Whang Od back in 2016 I think, it was such an honor
I really like when tattoos actually have meaning. I would consider getting one of these just to keep it going on. Even things i think up in my head I'd like as a tattoo i go "you'll think it's stupid one day anyway" and also people's skin with tats in old age usually look terrible in my opinion
wow! its very nice to see apo whang od featured in insider business!
She is so beautiful!
This is so crazy, a 106 year being a Tattoo Master?
Filipino Pride..mambabatok...
it's cool that she has indeed left us a legacy, one with an impact.
She's beautiful!!!❤
she is simply beautiful.
Happy to have a tattoo made by whang od! Not just the three dot, a whole Baybayin (ancient Filipino letter) tattoo!
Rona’s tattoo is amazing 😍🔥
First of all, she looks great for 106!! She’s beautiful!!
Wait, they didn't even talk about the fact that this woman is 106 years old and so virile and energetic!!! How does she manage THAT??
Living in the mountain with fresh air all the time, eating organic home grown foods, stress free, and she is just happy living a simple life.
@@LifeOdysseyMotivation and that's how it should be, shouldn't it! 💯😅
@@MPR2 Those are just some of the answers to your question. And by judging to your reply, it seems that you know already the answer to your own question even before you post it. Lol
Yep, you're right! 😁@@LifeOdysseyMotivation
I like her energy 🤩
Beautiful, thankyou
12:02 thought this was a pretty weird thing to say when I first heard it, but that's probably because I'm a native surrounded by other confident and beautiful natives. There is a strong sense of security and belonging when you are born in a place where most people look like you. Where you don't base your self-image on other races beauty standards, and certainly not blame it on being born Filipina. We have different beauty types like mestizas, morenas, and chinitas, surely there is a place for everyone. Also, look at Whang-Od. She is a full-blooded Filipina and she's undeniably beautiful.
American mentality
These are really pretty, what an incredible skill.
So cool. Way to be awesome elder momma🌿💚🥰
She is literally a living, breathing HISTORY.
She IS beautiful! She every bit deserves to be on the cover of Vogue magazine!
She is still alive?! I remembered watching her video when I was 20. Now I am 30!!
Such a beautiful lady ❤
She’s amazing