By Alyanna Gabas and Yra Suarin
Dumaguete City recently became a canvas for the deep-rooted tradition of Batok or hand-tapped tattooing as the descendants of Apo Whang-Od visited the community to share their timeless craft last Feb. 13 to 16 at Cafe Estacion.
Apo Whang-Od, known for being the last Kalinga Tattoo Artist or mambabatok, has preserved the ancient practice of Batok by teaching her students and descendants—Lyka, Lalyne, and Winny.
“Nung mga bata pa kasi kami, diba nakikita namin yung mga matatanda na nagta-tattoo, ayun ginagaya namin so nagpra-practice lang kami sa mga kaibigan namin. Pero nung sumikat yung tattoo sa amin, si Apo Whang-Od na mismo ang nagte-teach sa amin,” Lyka, also known as Diwata, said.
(When we were kids, we used to see the elders doing tattoos, so we would imitate them and practice with our friends. But when tattooing became popular in our community, Apo Whang-Od herself started teaching us.)
Armed with indigenous tools such as a pomelo or calamansi thorn, bamboo stick, and charcoal ink, the descendants travel around the Philippines carrying the stories and wisdom of their ancestors.
Each tap of the bamboo stick to the thorn weaves connections between the past and present, as they pass down the values, traditions, and identity to their lineage.
Lyka shared a message for the next generation, emphasizing the importance of preserving their culture and keeping the tradition of Batok alive for years to come.
“We hope that the next generation will not forget about it. Through sa amin, hindi nila makalimutan para sa next generation maturo nila,” she noted.
(Through us, they won’t forget so that they can teach the next generation.)
The four-day event at Cafe Estacion offered a perfect blend of culture and coffee, allowing guests to experience the ancient art of Batok while enjoying a freshly brewed drink.
Rain Boling, a Dumaguete local and one of the eager guests, seized the opportunity to be marked by the Kalinga Tattoo Successors
“Gikan mig Benguet last week unya wala man mi chance nga maka adto jod sa ilahang Apo Whang-Od. And, kita man mi sa post nya sila nay ni ari diri, so chance naman, try ra. First time ra biya nako magpa tattoo,” he explained.
(We went to Benguet last week but we didn’t have the chance to visit Apo Whang-Od. Then we saw their post that they were coming here, so it was the chance to try. This is actually my first time getting a tattoo.)
Boling added that he wanted his first tattoo to be “memorable and traditional.”
Another participant, Kenneth Gabunsan, shared that getting a tattoo by Apo Whang-Od had long been one of his personal goals.
“Last week siguro to […] ning adto mig Benguet […]. Abi namog duol ra, unya layo diay kuno […]. Timing pud after a week, naa may nag post […]. Bisan descendants ra pero okay na kaayo japon,” he said.
(Maybe it was last week […] we went to Benguet […]. We thought [Apo Whang Od’s place] was close, but it turns out it was far […]. After a week, someone posted about the event […]. Even though it was only [Whang Od’s] descendants, it’s still really great.)
When questioned about the difference between traditional and machine tattoo, he shared that the traditional tattoo has more sentiment while the machine tattoo requires more mechanical processes.
“It means a lot, […] once in a lifetime. Ay kanang morag ikapang-hinambog pud ba, nga na tattoo-an ka ug kanang morag […] something ingana [mambabatok],” he added.
(It means a lot […] it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It’s like something to brag about, that you got tattooed by a mambabatok.)
While machine tattoos rely on modern technology, traditional hand-tapped tattooing preserves their historical ancestry, highlighting the deep connection between tattoos and culture.
The rhythmic tapping created intricate designs, sharing not just ink but also their rich cultural heritage that was passed down through generations, offering the locals and visitors a glimpse of their historical tradition.
