LOOK: Whang-od enjoys helicopter ride to Manila for Medal of Merit rites
Maria ‘Whang-od’ Oggay takes a trip from Kalinga to Manila to be awarded the Presidential Medal of Merit. Photos from 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing Facebook page.
MANILA, Philippines — The 106-year-old tattoo artist Maria ‘Whang-od’ Oggay enjoyed her helicopter ride to Manila all the way from Kalinga, said the Philippine Air Force Spokesperson Colonel Ma. Consuelo Castillo on Friday.
Often referred to as a living legend, Whang-od traveled a long way to receive the Presidential Medal of Merit last Wednesday.
READ: Tattoo artist Whang-Od conferred Presidential Medal of Merit
Despite the long journey, Whang-od was reportedly happy during the ride, Castillo told INQUIRER.net.
“Based on the personal narrative of the pilots who flew Whang Od, she seems to have enjoyed the ride to and from Manila. She requested to be seated near the window so she could enjoy the view while on flight,” said Castillo in a Viber message.
On Wednesday, Whang-od boarded the Black Hawk helicopter of the 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing in Kalinga at 8:40 a.m. and reached Manila at 11:30 a.m.
“The challenging geographical terrain of Kalinga, coupled with the limited accessibility to the region, made the Black Hawk helicopter an indispensable asset in ensuring Apo Whang-od’s timely and secure journey to the capital,” said the 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing on their Facebook page.
Castillo said that Whang-Od left Manila at 10:15 a.m. the following morning, arriving in Kalinga at 1:00 p.m.
A National Living Treasure, Whang-od has captured the attention of the international community by being the oldest “mambabatok” or tattoo artist of the Butbut people.
During the awarding ceremony in Malacañan Palace, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called her a national treasure.
“She is a keeper of oral traditions and a mentor, teaching a new generation of artists, thus ensuring that her art form lives on to tell tales of her community’s history. Her craft and stature as an internationally recognized artist raised international awareness of our country’s rich cultural heritage,” said Marcos in the awarding ceremony.
