Kalinga and Whang Od - A Moment to Remember

I got my first tattoo back in 2011. Eversince then, it was a dream of mine that one day I'd be able to meet Buscalan's very own - Whang Od.

Whang Od and the blogger

I don't want to bore you with loads of background introduction of this famous traditional tattooist (well, that's me lacking energy searching the net for her biography). Mainly; she's 96 years old, healthy as a horse, came from Butbut tribe and up to this day is still practicing the art of traditional tattoing called 'batok'.

Drop off point going to Tinglayan then Buscalan.

A rainy atmosphere greeted us on our way to Buscalan but that didn't stop us from enjoying the view of the small town where I'll be having my next ink (8th and 9th, respectively) and a first to the 9 brave fellows who was with me during that time.

Drop off point to Buscalan.

The 30-minute walk to Brgy. Buscalan

Walkway signage at Brgy.  Buscalan

Here we come!

Meeting Whang Od for the first time was as normal as seeing your own grandmother. She was warm and so are the people of Buscalan (contrary to their past and rich culture of being warriors and headhunters); but don't be misled by her fragile and petite appearance because she's tough (boy, she can hit that 'siit' <thorn used to put ink> hard)!

Grace and the blogger.

Sweet goodies for Buscalan kids.

After settling our stuff at Grace's house (Whang Od's grandniece and apprentice) and sipping the last drop of freshly brewed coffee offered by Grace herself, we head back to pick our tattoo design from the three magazines presented to us. Well,  you know the rest.

That is pain personified! 

My friends' first ink

Another set of traditional 'batok' designs.

Whang Od's masterpiece on my skin, the Scorpio. 

Below is the itinerary for your reference.
Day 0
2000 ETD Victory liner Kamuning (bus fare - 700)
Day 1
0210 Stopover at nueva vizcaya
0700 ETA Tabuk
0825 ETD Tabuk to Tinglayan (chartered jeep)
1050 ETA Tinglayan
1200 ETD Bugnay to Buscalan (van ride)
1400 ETA Buscalan.
1500 Start tattoo session
Day 2
0530 Wake up call                
0630 Breakfast                      
0700 Resume tattoo session
1030 ETD Buscalan    
1100 ETA Buscalan jumpoff. Wait for van.
1145 ETD Buscalan to Bontoc via chartered van  
1420 ETD Bontoc to Baguio
2030 ETA Baguio. Dinner.
1000 ETD Baguio to Manila via Dagupan bus (bus fare - 445)
Day 3
0330 ETA Cubao

Don't forget to drop me a message for any inquiries. I'll be happy to help!
Till then!