Tourists flock to Buscalan tattoo village to meet famous “mambabatok” Apo Whang-Od on Saturday, August 24, 2024. While she is still unable to do tattoo work, she is seen in the photo using her free hand holding a stencil to put an ink on a tourist’s arm. (Photo from Anna Tambalong)
MANILA, Philippines — Renowned tattoo artist or “mambabatok” Maria ‘Whang-Od’ Oggay from Buscalan village in Tinglayan, Kalimga sustained a hand injury in July and underwent surgery this month, according to a relative.
In an interview with INQUIRER.net on Saturday, Anna Tambalong, a relative and a fellow tattoo artist, said that Whang Od slipped in the bathroom in the first week of July and fractured her left hand.
Recent photos from tourists who met Whang Od showed the tattoo artist’s bandaged left hand.
Renowned tattoo artist or “mambabatok” Whang-Od is seen with a bandage on her left hand as she meets with tourists on Saturday, August 24, 2024 after sustaining a hand injury in July.(Photo from Anna Tambalong)
Talambong shared that the 107 year-old tattoo artist has not performed tattoo work for more than a month already.
“Umabot ng one week naramdaman nya na sumasakit at sinuggest na magpaopera. Hindi diretsong inopera kasi hinilot pa,” she shared.
(She experienced pain for a week and surgery was suggested. She did not immediately undergo surgery and instead had massage therapy.)
The renowned tattoo artist eventually had surgery last August 12.
When asked when Whang-Od can resume her work, Tambalong said that there is still no word from her surgeon.
“Kailangang magpahinga muna raw siya,” she said.
(She needs to rest first.)
Tourists, however, still continue to flock to Buscalan tattoo village to meet the tattoo artist and take photographs with her.