PART of the wish list of most body art enthusiasts is to be inked by Apo Whang-Od, the Philippines’ oldest tattoo artist, who hails from Kalinga and is often referred to as “the last mambabatok.”

Celebrities are no exception. Famous stars are among the thousands who had braved the freezing weather in the mountains of the Cordillera region just to have the legendary artist from Buscalan leave her mark on their bodies. 

Like many, they consider it an honor to have a traditional tattoo done by the 106 year-old Whang-od, or Maria Ogay, who uses the hand-tapped method.

Here are some of the local celebrities who were lucky enough to get a tattoo from the legend herself. 

1. Paolo Ballesteros

In between shoots for the 2019 lenten special of long-running variety show Eat Bulaga, comedian and television host Paolo Ballesteros squeezed in some time to trek up mountains to meet Whang-Od. 

Paolo added another masterpiece on his body and had it made by the skilled hands of the famous tattoo artist. 

He also posed for a playful photo with her and joked, “Mabilis talaga kamay ni Apo Whang-Od.” 

2. Rhian Ramos 

Actress Rhian Ramos did not hesitate to have her skin marked with the ink of Whang-Od. In fact, she did it twice. 

For her second Whang-Od ink, she got a triangular-shaped tattoo on top of the first two tattoos, the scorpion and the hawk, which she also got from the mambabatok and her grandniece Grace Palicas.

3. Drew Arellano 

Back in 2014, everyone’s favorite byahero went up the mountains of Buscalan to see what the place and the people had to offer. He said his trip would not be complete without a visit to Whang-Od and a session with the famous mambabatok. 

4. Sheryn Regis and Mel de Guia 

Celebrity couple Sheryn Regis and Mel de Guia sealed their love with matching tattoos from Whang-Od. 

Besides getting the same tattoo on their backs, the two had Whang-Od’s three-dot signature inked on their hands. De Guia got another tattoo on her right arm.

5. Patricia Tumulak 

Actress and former beauty title holder Patricia Tumulak ticked an item off her bucket list when she finally got a tattoo done by the centenarian artist.  

6. Liza Diño-Seguerra and Ice Seguerra 

The celebrity couple paid a visit to Whang-Od last 2017. They went to see her after learning that she was suffering from an illness but refused to seek medical help. 

After sharing with the public that the Kalinga elder is already doing fine, they did not miss the opportunity to get tattoos done by the legend.