As promised to Whang-Od and the Buscalan community, on March 31 we held the world premiere of our new feature documentary film ‘Treasure Of The Rice Terraces’ that was largely filmed in Buscalan in Jan. 2024.
We are grateful to Apo Whang-od, Grace (Grace Tattoo Buscalan), and the entire community for their support and trust. It is a beautiful film!!
Before the screening I presented Apo with my new book ‘Tattoo Traditions of Asia,’ which features her incredible life and work from our first meeting in 2007 and onwards to 2017 as well as the ensuing Kalinga tattoo revival in this special place.
Nowadays in every corner of Buscalan the song of the hand-tapped batok (tattoo) is heard and produced by the nearly 100 young women that Apo has mentored over the ensuing years.
I will always hold a special place in my heart for Apo, her family, and the entire community of Buscalan – the Tattoo Village of the Philippines.
