Vogue Magazine Graces Cover With 106-Year-Old Philippine Hilltribes Woman

A 106-year-old woman from one of the Philippines’ northern hilltribes has graced the cover of Vogue Magazine Philippines’ Beauty Issue. The cover sparked interest from celebrities such as Halle Berry and Naomi Campbell, as well as journalists, broadcasters, and even politicians. Apo Whang-od, the lady on the cover, is a Filipino traditional tattoo artist who is still working at it today.

Apo Whang-od, or Maria Oggay, is considered by many to be one of the Philippines’ living national treasures. She is the country’s oldest mambabatok – the local term for the Filipino ancient art of tattooing. Whang-od prepares a mixture of ink from pine soot and water each morning at daybreak in preparation for placing hand-tapped tattoos on the bodies of people from all over the world.

Many people come to see her, despite the long trek. Visitors take a 15-hour drive north of Manila to the northern mountain settlement, which can only be reached by hiking a mile through forests and rugged terrain from the nearest dirt road.

Whang-Od paints numerous tattoos per day with only a pomelo tree thorn, a foot-long bamboo staff, charcoal, and water. The thorn and bamboo are used to tap the hand-made ink deep into the skin. The end result is a collection of permanent themes ranging from lines to simple forms, tribal prints to animals. Each has a different meaning, such as strength, beauty, or fertility.

Vogue Magazine Breaking down barriers

Thai PBS reports, Whang-Od was only 15 years old when she began her tattoo apprenticeship under the supervision of her father. It signified a break in the practise because, at the time, only men were permitted to learn how to tattoo.

Whang-Od, the first and only female mambabatok of her day, would travel to distant and neighbouring villages, invited by host communities to imprint the sacred symbols of their ancestors on persons who had crossed or were about to cross a life-changing threshold.

This traditional art can only be passed down through one’s family line. Whang-od, on the other hand, seems unconcerned about the art’s extinction. Despite the fact that she has no children of her own, she has trained her grandnieces to be tattoo artists as well.

Apart from her extraordinary life narrative, the 106-year-old artist’s striking beauty grabbed attention to the latest Vogue cover. At a time when most people are awestruck by young models and celebrities adorning the covers of beauty magazines, the sight of an elderly woman on the cover of Vogue was met with joy.

Khun Berna, a retired professor from a Bangkok university, rejoiced when he saw the cover. “Yay! Let us shatter the myth that ageing lowers our humanity while, in fact, it enhances our inner spirit. “There is always beauty in youth, but this magazine cover reminds us that beauty is much more than skin deep,” she remarked.

Seniors Power Movement Philippines

Halle Berry, a well-known Hollywood actress, also shared her thoughts on social media. “Now, THIS is real beauty!” she exclaimed.

Pepe Rivera, president and creator of Senior Power Movement Philippines, believes that the latest Vogue Magazine cover not only defies beauty standards, but also disproves widespread misconceptions about late adulthood.

“Stereotypes about people in their late twenties lead many to believe that ageing results in poor health and mental decline.” These preconceptions can be found in daily interactions, the media, and even greeting cards. Across cultures, older persons are viewed as high maintenance and low competence. “These mixed stereotypes elicit pity and sympathy, which we do not require,” he stated.

Rivera started the Senior Power Movement Philippines only a year ago, campaigning for more possibilities for older Filipinos to remain engaged and helpful citizens.

“We must stop viewing the elderly as a burden. On the contrary, we should take use of the benefits of longevity. Governments must devise strategies to assist elderly but still productive persons in finding full-time job or more flexible work arrangements. To reap the full benefits of longevity, we must reconsider both schooling and traditional professional routes, while also ensuring that today’s younger generations live as long and as healthily as possible,” he stated.

Whang-od, he continued, is a beautiful example of an elderly lady who can still contribute pride and honour to her country.

Indeed, during a brief conversation about the latest Vogue cover on a foreign TV show, the lady host couldn’t help but remark Whang-od’s youthful appearance. “What could be her hidden secret?” She inquired of her co-hosts.

Taking a lesson from Whang-od’s story, they all agreed that the secret was ‘to keep working’.

Apo Whang-od was questioned in an earlier interview, “Until when will you practise the art of traditional tattoo?” “For as long as my vision allows me!” responded the 106-year-old lady.

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