Cordillera records 120 people living longer life at age 100

Photo Courtesy || Juicy Vlog

Cordillera - The Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) has recorded 120 individuals who are centenarians according to the latest survey conducted by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). 

"As of March 21, the Cordillera has recorded 120 residents who have reached the age of 100", DSWD Cordillera marketing unit chief, Nerizza Faye Villanueva said. 

Included is the list of centenarians was "Apo Whang-Od" of Kalinga. Whang-od is considered as the oldest traditional "mambabatok" or tattoo artist in the country. She uses an old traditional method of tattooing where she incorporates the use of ink from the mixture of charcoal and water and uses three thorn to imprint through skin. 

Whang-od is the ninth centenarian from the province of Kalinga and she just celebrated her 100th birthday last March 7.

All of the centenarians had received a Php100,000.00 cash gift from DSWD and a letter of felicitation from the President and also a special incentives from their local government. 

According to PNA.gov, there are 30 centenarians in Abra, 27 in Mountain Province, 21 in Benguet, 13 in Baguio City, 11 in Ifugao, 9 in Kalinga and 9 in Apayao. 

An interesting story of a centenarian from Bontoc shared his story how he was able to reach the age of 100. 

READ ALSO: 100 year-old Igorot man credits long life and health with eating camote, banana and squash

Mr. Herbert Malecdan Todyog, a native of Bontoc shared that living in the village eating organically-grown food like camote, banana, squash and legumes are the reasons he believed help him reach 100 years. He said that he has never been hospitalized, has strong legs and has a clear eyesight.

Todyog received Php100,000.00 from the social welfare department and another cash worth Php30,000.00 from his local government. 

Under Republic Act 10868, all Filipinos who reach the age of 100 will receive cash gift worth Php100,000.00 and a letter of felicitation from the President of the Philippines, whether they are residing in the country or abroad. 

READ ALSO: How to avail PHP100,000 Centenarian CASH Gift for your Lolos and Lolas who reached 100 years old

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Miss World Philippines 2018 Katarina Rodriguez wears Kalinga warrior costume for Miss World

Photo Courtesy || Aces & Queens

Cordillera - The Traditional Kalinga costume is now becoming a trend for fashion and beauty pageants because of its unique materials and beautiful combination of colors and designs.

After the Ifugao-inspired costume for the movie Black Panther, the Kalinga warrior costume is also making its way to an international recognition.

The design of this  Kalinga costume was inspired by the ingenuity, exceptional artistry, and the rich history of the Kalinga tribe in the Philippines. 

The ensemble is made of a fully-embroidered and hand-embellished bodysuit. The custom embroidery art on the entire body suit represents the historic tattoo art  known as the symbol of the Kalinga people and their warriors.

Read Also: Cordillera Indigenous fabric 'INABEL' goes international, recognized at New York Fashion Week

The headdress is custom-made and decorated with feathers and the traditional "bongol", the native beads used to indicate a Kalinga woman's social status.

Photo Courtesy || Miss World

The country's representative to the international beauty competition, Katrina Rodriguez, had chosen to wear the Kalinga warrior costume as her national costume during the pre-pageant activities of Miss World 2018 at the Mangrove Tree Resort Parade in Sanya China.

Read Also: Kalinga's Finest "Apo Whang-od" musical hits big stage in Manila

Rodriguez's national costume intends to pay homage to Apo Whang-od, the last surviving original hand-tap tattoo artist from the Butbut tribe of Kalinga.

A famous and talented Filipino fashion designer, Francis Libiran, designed the costume.

Rodriguez is aiming for the  Miss World 2018 title during the the coronation night  on December 8, 2018. She won the first runner-up in the Miss International pageant in Egypt last January.

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Kalinga's Finest "Apo Whang-od" musical hits big stage in Manila

Photo Courtesy: Ang Pahayang Plaridel FB

Cordillera - The De La Salle University Harlequin Theater Guild (DSLU-HTG) has successfully re-run the first musical play inspired by the life of Apo Whang-od - the legendary tattooist of Kalinga on November 17, 2018 at the Teresa Yuchengco Auditorium, De La Salle.

The musical play explores the early traditions and rituals of Cordillera and also feature the personal life of Whang-od in the past: her struggle for choosing romantic love and the destiny offered to her. The play also mirror how the tradition of tattooing in Kalinga which served as a reward of honor to warriors has become part of Filipino culture. 

Apo Whang Od has long been recognized and respected in her community as a master tattooist. Her practice started in her early adolescence and has since tattooed elders, women, and warriors from her community in the traditional Kalinga practice - using charcoal as ink and calamansi/suha thorns to puncture the skin - National Commision of Culture and Arts.

Photo Courtesy: Ang Pahayang Plaride FB Page

Today, many local and international tourists have heard about Whang-od and flock to her house in Buscalan to get inked by her. Most of the time, Whang-od would inked her signature tattoo design which is a linear three-dot. 

Afraid of losing the traditional art of tattooing, Whang-od is teaching her nephew along with other Kalinga women her techniques. Now, her nephew is helping her tattoo some tourist who come to her home in Kalinga. 

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Apo Whang-od finally meets her idol Coco Martin of "Ang Probinsyano"

Robin Padilla sends heartwarming greetings to Kalinga people and Apo Whang-od

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The Harlequin Theater Guild had been very honored to play the life of the Kalinga legend saying the production did not only seek to honor Whang-od, but also made her known as a Filipina who has lived a life full of dreams. 

Recently, the  National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) conferred the Dangal ng Haraya Award for Intangible Cultural Heritage to Apo Whang-od. 

She now joins the ranks of Senator Loren Legarda, architect Augusto Villalon, late senator Edgardo Angara and artist and former National Museum director Jesus Peralta.

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Robin Padilla sends heartwarming greetings to Kalinga people and Apo Whang-od

Robin sends greetings to Kalinga people: Photo Courtesy || Diadem Joy B. Baliling

Cordillera - Veteran actor and producer Robin Padilla has a message to the people of Kalinga, praising them as the courageous tribe in the Cordillera.

Read Also: WATCH: First time Igorot performers get four 'Yeses' from Pilipinas Got Talent judges

In a video that was uploaded by Diadem Joy B. Baliling in her FB account, the actor was recorded telling his message to the iKalingas especially to Apo Whang-od, wishing her to be included as a national artist.

Padilla expressed his admiration to Apo Whang-od on her talent in tattooing.

Last year the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) said it has endorsed Whang-od as a national artist because her art of tattooing is part of Cordilleran culture. She has also imparted her knowledge to younger generation.

Read Also: Apo Whang-od finally meets her idol Coco Martin of "Ang Probinsyano"

Whang-od is considered as the oldest traditional "mambabatok" or tattoo artist in the country. She uses an old traditional method of tattooing where she incorporates the use of ink from the mixture of charcoal and water and use citrus tree thorn to imprint through skin.

Read Robin Padilla's his full message:

"Mabuhay sa mga kailian ko jan sa Cordillera, Syempre lalong lalo na sa tribo ng Kalinga. Yan ay ating matagal ng nakasama sa Baguio. Yan ang mga masasabi nating mga matatapang at yung mga pinangangalagaan nila yung kanilang kultura bilang Igorot. At ako sympre ay nagpupugay kay Apo Whang-od. Ako po ay talagang, syempre po, bukod po sa akoy may dugong Igorot, ako po ay talang nagpupugay sa inyong talino Apo. Lalo na po, syempre, may kinaliman po sa pagtatao ng ating kultura. Kayo po ay talaga naming tinitingala at dapat po dumating ang panahon na kayo po ay hirangin na national artist."

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Apo Whang-od finally meets her idol Coco Martin of "Ang Probinsyano"

Apo Whang-od and Coco Martin. Photo credit: Jeff Fernando's Instagram

Cordillera, - Apo Whang-od, the world-renowned centenarian mambabatok of Kalinga has finally met her idol Coco Martin, the lead actor of Abs Cbn's teleserye "Ang Probinsyano". 

In a report by Abs Cbn.com, Apo Whang-od's dream of meeting her idol  came true as she was flown to Manila in a helicopter to meet Martin. 

A photo from her granddaughter, Gracia Palicas' Facebook shows Whang-od inside a helicopter enjoying the ride while having selfies from  some of the helicopter crews. 

Apo Whang-od inside a helicopter Photo credit: Gracia Palicas. 

During their meeting, Martin wrapped his arm over Apo Whang-od's shoulder while they both smile in a photo shoot. 

Apo Whang-od was a huge fan of Martin and his hit TV series as discovered by National Youth Commission chair Aiza Sequerra and spouse Liza Dino during their visit to Kalinga last February. 

Whang-od has kept a collection of shirts and posters of Martin as show of her admiration to the actor and his TV series "Ang Probinsyano".

As an avid fan, she has said that she would love to inscribe a phyton or centipede tattoo on Martin's arm - a design that according to literature, is given to Kalinga warriors as a form of recognition for their courage and bravery.  

For many years, both foreign tourists and local celebrities has visited Whang-od's place in Kalinga to have a tattoo. 

The story of her has also been published in several news agencies in the country and last year, she was featured in an art exhibit at the Royal Ontario Museum in Canada. 

source | Abs Cbn | 

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