Whang-Od and the Art of Batok

We will discuss the significance of Whang-od and the importance of Batok to Buscalan, a remote mountain village in the Philippines. Whang-od is a 106 year old mambabatok, and is one of the last links to traditional batok tattooing. Whang-od has revived the art and lore surrounding the process and symbolism of batok, and is passing that down to her two nieces. Tourism has fed this revival of the art, providing the support needed for Whang-od to take on her two apprentices. We will look more closely at the process of revival and celebration of batok by Whang-od and her apprentices.