(From left) Apo Whang-Od as Vogue Philippines’ cover girl, Gigi Hadid, Halle Berry, Naomi Campbell. Images: Facebook/Vogue Philippines, Instagram/@gigihadid, Instagram/@halleberry, Instagram/@naomi.
Award-winning actress Halle Berry and supermodels Gigi Hadid and Naomi Campbell seem to be in awe of 106-year-old Buscalan-based “mambabatok” Apo Whang-Od who graced the April 2023 cover of fashion magazine “Vogue Philippines.”
Whang-Od was featured as the highlight of the local magazine’s cover story which revolves around the Philippines’ ancient tattoo heritage, where the “mambabatok” started her career as a tattoo artist at the age of 16 under the mentorship of her father.
“Apo Maria ‘Whang-Od’ Oggay symbolizes the strength and beauty of the Filipino spirit. Heralded as the last ‘mambabatok’ of her generation, she has imprinted the symbols of the Kalinga tribe—signifying strength, bravery, and beauty—on the skin of thousands of people who have made the pilgrimage to Buscalan,” Vogue PH’s caption read.
The tattooist’s cover story caught the attention of many celebrities in the Philippines and around the world. Berry took to her personal Instagram page on Sunday, April 2, to express her admiration of Whang-Od as the magazine’s cover girl.
“Now THIS is real beauty,” she said in the caption, along with a praying emoji.
Campbell, U.S.-based actor Mario Lopez, and fashion designer Law Roach were also elated to see the “mambabatok” on the cover, as seen in the comments of Berry’s post.
Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@halleberry
Meanwhile, Gigi Hadid reshared the magazine’s cover story on her Instagram Stories.
Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@gigihadid
Local praise
On the other hand, Filipino-American stand-up comedian Jo Koy said Whang-Od’s appearance makes it the lifestyle magazine’s “best cover ever.”
“At 106 years old this Filipino icon is finally getting her flowers! This is the best Vogue cover ever. Mahal kita (I love you), APO WHANG-OD,” he wrote on Instagram.
Filipino celebrities, including Fil-Am influencer Bretman Rock, Pia Wurtzbach, Jach Manere, Anne Curtis, Solenn Heussaff, Iza Calzado, Kyline Alcantara, and Gretchen Ho also appeared to be delighted over the magazine’s cover story, as seen in the comments section of its post.
Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@voguephilippines
Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@voguephilippines
Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@voguephilippines
Whang-Od is reportedly named as the “oldest person ever” to be featured in the cover of Vogue’s overall titles, according to a report from CNN International. English actress Judi Dench, who was British Vogue’s cover girl in June 2020, previously held the record.
Apart from the “mambabatok,” the fashion magazine also featured her grandniece Grace Palicas who was said to be one of her protégés. EDV