Tattoo artist Diegz Madrona was lucky to have brought his tattoo machine all the way to Buscalan, Kalinga.
YOUNG tattoo artist Diegz Madrona visited the living legend and “mambabatok” Apo Whang-Od in November to get tattooed but did not expect her to request him to ink her.
Madrona shared his “once-in-a-lifetime” experience with the GMA News program “Brigada”.
Recounted how they were posing for a picture after receiving his first “batok”, the traditional Kalinga hang-tapped tattooing, from the National Living Treasure awardee when she noticed his tattoo machine.
“Nakita 'yung machine ko,” Madrona said. “Tapos baka puwede ko raw po siyang tatuan.” He accepted the request and asked if he could use her ink as he did not have his own.
Whang-od’s traditional ink is composed of indigenous materials such as charcoal and water.
As for the design, Whang-od chose a link of triangles after her own set of designs which usually follows design in nature and basic geometric shapes.
“I was overjoyed since I hadn't expected to have the opportunity to tattoo one of the world's oldest mambabatok,” he wrote.
Madrona is a modern tattoo artist who has competed and won in tattoo competitions such as Dutdutan, Tatuan, Tinnatoan, and the Savage Ink International Tattoo Convention.
He has also inked several celebrities such as Baron Geisler, Dennis Padilla, and now Apo Whang-Od.
Tags: #apowhangod, #tattoo, #culture, #art, #diegzmadrona