City officials recently congratulated and commended national artist Apo Maria ‘Wang-od’ Oggay for being awarded the Presidential Medal of Merit.
In a resolution, local legislators stated that Apo ‘Wang-od’ brought honor and pride not only to her home province of Kalinga but also to the whole Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and the country for remarkable achievement worthy of commendation and recognition.
Maria Apo ‘Wang-od” Oggay was born in Buscalan, Tinglayan, Kalinga and is popularly known as the last ‘mambabatok’ of Kalinga and has been tattooing numerous foreigners and Filipinos over the past several decades.
At present, she is still tattooing people that visit her place even at the age of 106.
The council noted that Apo ‘Wang-od’ was awarded the 2018 Dangal ng Haraya Award for her intangible contributions to the cultural heritage of the country. It was given to her by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) where the awarding took place in Kalinga.
Lately, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. awarded the Presidential Medal of Merit Award to Apo ‘Wang-od’ during simple rites held last February 14, 2024 in Malacanang.
She was given the aforesaid recognition for her exceptional contribution in preserving the culture and heritage of Kalinga.
President Marcos also recognized apo ‘Wang-od’s influence in breaking gender stereotypes and passing her knowledge to the new generation.
Copies of the approved resolution will be forwarded to Apo ‘Wang-od’ for her information, guidance, ready reference and further needed action. By Dexter A. See
