Nancy congratulates Whang-Od for Dangal ng Haraya award ...says Kalinga tattoo arts amplified PH culture

Senator Nancy Binay congratulated Apo Whang-Od Oggay as the latter is set to receive the 2018 Dangal ng Haraya Award for Intangible Cultural Heritage from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

"We would like to congratulate Apo Whang-Od for being recognized for her contributions to our culture," Binay said.

"Her work helped preserve the traditional Filipino art of batek and the subsequent promotion of the culture of Kalinga. With the Kalinga arts and designs, Whang-Od amplified the richness of Philippine culture among the younger generation," she added.

Dangal ng Haraya is given to living Filipino artists, cultural workers, and historians, artistic or cultural groups, historical societies, institutions, foundations and councils, for their outstanding achievements in relevant fields that have made an impact and significant contribution to Philippine culture and arts.

The awarding ceremony will take place in Kalinga Capitol Plaza, Tabuk, Kalinga on June 25.

"This award from the NCCA is a testament to Filipinos who have positively influenced us in a big way and with such passion. With her dedication to the craft, Apo Whang-Od's contribution to Philippine culture and arts deserves recognition and appreciation," Binay said.

Senators Binay and Juan Edgardo Angara had earlier sponsored Senate Resolution Nos. 2 and 538 respectively, nominating Whang-Od for the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA) or the National Living Treasures Award for fostering and preserving the traditional tattoo art of Kalinga.

Through these measures, the senate recognized Whang-od as the only surviving Kalinga traditional tattoo artist with the distinguished title of "mambabatok" or a master tattooist of "batek," the folk skin inscriptions of Kalinga.

NCCA seeks to uphold excellence in all artistic and cultural endeavors, encourage initiative and participation among groups and individuals, and recognize exemplary cultural programs that can serve as valuable examples to others through the Dangal ng Haraya award and its other institutional awards.

Apo Whang-Od joins the esteemed roster of awardees including past cultural advocates like Senator Edgardo Angara, Architect Augusto Villalon, and Susan Calo Medina; and current cultural champions Senator Loren Legarda and Jesus Peralta.