Because of the old age and bad health condition of the “Last Kalinga Tattoo Artist” Apo Whang-Od, Netizens and travelers is pushing the old lady to declare as one of the Philippine’s National Artist or declare as a National Living Treasure.
Many Netizens were worried after one of the tourist announces the bad condition of Apo Whang-Od and they wished to the government to recognized the contribution of the traditional tattoo artist in arts and tourism.
Thousands of tourist all around the world are visiting Apo Whang-Od and she was featured in many documentaries locally and internationally.
If she became a national artist, she would receive 100,000 pesos, a monthly stipend of 10,000 pesos for life and a 750,000 medical & hospitalization benefits yearly.
According to Deth E. Garcia, Whang Od deserved the title “National Artist” and she the government must help her.
Ronnie Alipio believed that Apo Whang-Od should retire and he’s hopeful that the Kalinga Artist received the National Artist award while she’s still alive.
And because Whang-Od became a hot topic again on the internet, more and more Netizens are urging the National Commission for Culture and the Arts to declare her as National Artist.
But her fans must not worried because Apo Whang-Od was carefully taken cared by the villagers and weekly visiting the hospital in Bontoc, Mountain Province.
