A Cordillera native recently took to social media to challenge published reports celebrating legendary tattooist Maria Oggay, better known as “Apo Whang-Od,” as the oldest living “mambabatok” or native tattoo artist in Kalinga province.
Before Whang-Od received her Presidential Medal of Merit for herartistic and cultural contributions from President Marcos last week, a certain Michael Gambican Umaming questioned her age.
“To those from the media and in research, I just hope they will not perpetuate the lie that Whang-od is 107 years,” Umaming wrote in a Facebook post dated Feb. 13.
He then challenged journalists to interview other residents from Apo Whang-Od’s hometown in Buscalan village such as the couple Ama Sagmayao and Ina Kasang, Ama Henry Lammawin; and Ama Banag and Ama Bilig Longdason from Tabuk, who he said are older than the cultural icon.
“Ask them the following questions: How old are you? Who is older, you or Whang-od? If by doing so you discover the truth about her age, then I hope you discover the truth too, that she is not the last mambabatok,” Umaming said.
Whang-Od reportedly lacked birth records, that’s why her relatives could also not verify her age.
Other Facebook users in the comments section, meanwhile, are divided on this issue. They said the burden to show proof of her age must not be placed on Whang-Od but the organizations that tried to capitalize on her fame.