A video featuring the nation’s oldest tattoo artist, Apo Whang-Od, grabbing actor Piolo Pascual’s private part has sparked widespread attention on social media. The incident occurred during Pascual’s visit to Buscalan, where he went to meet the revered tattoo artist.
In the footage, as the two were conversing, Whang-Od unexpectedly grabbed Pascual’s genitals, eliciting laughter from those present. This is not the first instance of Whang-Od’s unconventional greeting; she has been known to grab the private parts of male visitors in the past. A similar incident involving “Eat Bulaga” host Paolo Ballesteros was shared on Maine Mendoza’s Instagram account in 2019.
1 point kay Apo Whang Od š¤£š¤£š¤£
— K~ELLE~M (@yamariposa) March 11, 2024
https://t.co/C7GqhO3Auz
Apo Whang-Od was recently honored with the Presidential Medal of Merit by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in February. The President praised her as a pioneer in breaking gender barriers in the field of tattooing, a traditionally male-dominated practice. He acknowledged her significant role in preserving oral traditions and mentoring new generations of artists, ensuring the continuation of her community’s historical narrative through her art.
Marcos Jr. also highlighted Whang-Od’s influence in fostering unity across diverse cultures and political landscapes, describing her as a national treasure. Whang-Od is celebrated as the last living mambabatok, or traditional Kalinga tattooist