LOOK: Pinoy artist creates P5000 bill inspired by Kalinga tattoo artist Apo Whang-od Oggay

Photo Courtesy || Michael Angelo Sarate

Cordillera - Filipino Artist Michael Angelo Sarate reveals on social media his P5000 paper bill art creation that was inspired by the legendary Kalinga tattoo artist Apo Whang-od Oggay. 

Sarate highlighted Apo Whang-od's remarkable accomplishments and contributions in the field of art.

"Taking inspiration from the recent masterpiece of Fashion Designer Mark Bumgarner, Michelle Dee’s evening gown, at the Miss Universe 2023, here’s another tribute to “a legendary Filipina who has become an icon, preserving the rich cultural heritage of indigenous tattoo art.”", he wrote. 

The P5000 bill is in plain black color to denote the color of Whang-od's tribal tattoo ink which is made up of charcoal and water. 

The portrait of Apo Whang-od in the front of the bill is taken from Vogue Philippines' cover in the April 2023 issue. 

At the back of the bill is the photo of Padjao rice terraces located in Buscalan, Tinglayan, Kalinga - the hometown of Whang-od. Buscalan became a popular tourist destination for adventurers and tattoo enthusiast coming from the different parts of the country and abroad. 

Along with the image of Buscalan, you can also see the Philippine serpent eagle (Spilornis holospilus) a kind of eagle endemic to the Philippines and can be found on most of the major islands of the country except Palawan.

Also visible in the design concept's back in the Apo Whang-od doing her art of tattooing and a tattoo pattern painted vertically on edge of the bill.

Michael Sarate is self-taught graphic designer and content creator promoting tourist destination based in Iloilo. 

He also created a Php2000 paper bill inspired by the late Miriam Defensor-Santiago.