Whang-Od’s grandniece clarifies Manila FAME ‘exploitation’ issue

The grandniece and apprentice of mambabatok Whang-Od on Monday took to social media to address the concerns raised by people about her grandmother's presence at the recently concluded 66th Manila FAME trade show.

Grace Palicas, who learned the traditional Kalinga tattoo art of batok from Whang-Od herself, declared on Facebook that they had signed a contract to do the show and had been paid accordingly.

She further clarified that she and Whang-Od wanted to do the tattoo demonstration.

"Sa mga concerns about sa pagbaba namin ng maynila kasama si apo Whang-od Oggay gusto ko po sabihin na may kontratang pinirmahan namin. May talent fee po na natanggap namin. At kagustuhan po naming magtattoo sa event," Palicas wrote. "Kung ang alam niyo po ay kinuha ng [Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions] yung mga bayad ng tattooes namin ay hindi po. Sa amin po lahat napunta ang mga yun."

"Kung patuloy po ang isues na ito ay parang pinagmukha niyo rin po kaming tanga... kaya please #StopTheNegativity," she added.

Read: Netizens say Manila FAME trade show exploited tattoo artist Apo Whang-Od

A post showing Whang-Od sleeping during a forum at Manila FAME went viral over the weekend and the public condemned the organizers of the show for making the centenarian work during the show.

"I am not against Manila Fame nor the organizers, I saw the bodyguards taking care of her and I am sure she stayed in a grandiose hotel BUT may I please suggest if they will.. hope next time if Apo will be visiting manila again, PLEASE don't let her work here and get paid instead let her sit and relax watching documentaries created by their staff showing about her life, accomplishments, how important she is to us and how she made Philippines proud of her," the person who uploaded the photo, Gen Gen, told GMA News Online.

CITEM executive director Clayton Tugonon in a separate interview with GMA News Online said that utmost care was given to Whang-Od and explained that it was the renowed tattoo artist herself who offered to do a tattoo demonstration.

"In the first place, Whang-Od was brought here so that we can show her craft at the same time yung sa first night, yung nomination niya sa GAMABA which was accepted in a ceremonial acceptance by the NCAA," he said. "Pero ang gusto niya talagang magta-tattoo siya. In fact, ayaw niya munang kumain kasi magta-tattoo daw, kasi pumunta raw siya dito kasi para maraming matattoohan, gusto niya, wala kaming magawa eh."

The photo that went viral, Tugonon explained, showed Whang-Od feeling "bored" during the speech of a panelist from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples.

Whang-Od returned to Buscalan on Sunday morning with the assistance of the Philippine Air Force. — MDM, GMA News