A PARTY-LIST lawmaker representing the senior citizens has called for a clarification on the alleged exploitation of 100-year-old legendary tattoo artist Apo Whang Od in a recent three-day trade event in Manila.
"We at the Senior Citizens Party-List calls for clarification from the event organizers, ManilaFAME and the DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) Design Center of the Philippines, on the alleged exploitation of our Philippine National Living Treasure," said Representative Milagros Aquino-Magsaysay on Tuesday.
Whang Od, known to be the last mambabatok (Kalinga traditional tattoo artist) from Buscalan, Kalinga attended the ManilaFAME, a trade show on culture, brands and designs organized by the Department of Trade and Industry's Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (Citem) last October 20 to 22.
Her appearance has stirred up online debates, with many calling out the government for exploiting the centenarian artist by allegedly allowing her to tattoo close to 300 people.
Magsaysay said that while the Senior Citizens Partylist lauds our government's efforts in upholding the national heritage through our traditional and indigenous crafts, it is also of utmost importance that these are observed without abuse, particularly on the elderlies.
"While Apo Whang-Od may welcome such an event as an opportunity for her to share her and her people's precious craft, having a centenarian of that stature and state undergo a rigorous activity of servicing close to 300 people may prove taxing on her waning health," said Magsaysay.
"The venue by which it was also presented, by having her tattoo done for a fee, as though it were peddling a service, could also prove demeaning for an artist representing a priceless artistry," she further added.
Magsaysay hopes that the said clarification coming from the DTI and the ManilaFAME would assure the public that the country respects Whang Od's health, honor, and heritage, above commercial gains.
DTI-Citem Executive Director Clayton Tugonon earlier denied exploiting Whang Od, saying she was the one who insisted to tattoo the closed to 300 attendees.
He also said that they did not get a share from the P800,000 income from the three-day trade fair. (SunStar Philippines)