Home / Blog / Ms. Fang-od, 100 year old Phillipine Tattooer, supports a village with her craft

Ms. Fang-od, 100 year old Phillipine Tattooer, supports a village with her craft

July 3, 2017
News, Tattoo Aftercare

Fang-od Oggay: The Last Mambabatok

Fang-od Oggay is from the Butbut people in Buscalan Kalinga. She is revered as the oldest tattoo artist in the Philippines, the last mambabatok (traditional Kalinga tattooist). For over 80 years, she has been tattooing headhunters and women of her village. Warriors used to earn tattoos through protecting the villages or killing enemies no longer exist. Thanks to the exposure of American Anthropologist, Dr. Lars Krutak, she now now tattoos tourists visiting Buscalan.

Traditional Tattooing and Heritage

According to tradition, her tattooing skills can only be inherited through lineage. Whang-od believes that if someone outside the bloodline starts tattooing, the tattoo will get infected. Due to modern living, the young people of her village are no longer interested in embracing the tattooing works of their elders.

Learn More About Fang-od

To learn more about Fang-od check out this story, https://nyti.ms/2qjSMvA

Fang-od’s Daily Ritual

“BUSCALAN, Philippines — She wakes up every morning at dawn and mixes an ink out of pine soot and water. She threads a thorn from a bitter citrus tree into a reed, crouches on a three-inch-high stool and, folded up like a cricket, hand-taps tattoos onto the backs, wrists and chests of people who come to see her from as far away as Mexico and Slovenia.

The woman, Maria Fang-od Oggay, will finish 14 tattoos before lunch — not a bad day’s work for someone said to be 100 years old. Moreover, she has single-handedly kept an ancient tradition alive, and in the process transformed this remote mountaintop village into a mecca for tourists seeking adventure and a piece of history under their skin….”

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Gnarly Charley is inviting you to Masters Surf Reunion #10! 🌊🏄

Join us November 6–9, 2026 at Playa Encuentro in Cabarete, Dominican Republic, for an incredible celebration of surf, community, and the spirit that brings us together.

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Back to school season is more than just supplies. It’s about community, care, and showing up for one another. 🎒📚

H2Ocean was honored to take part in Christian FM88’s Annual Back to School Event, helping local families prepare for a fresh new school year and supporting the community we’re proud to be part of.

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Protect your skin without compromising our oceans.

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Dr. Rajiv explains why H2Ocean Sea Salt Healing Rinse is an excellent choice for daily oral care.

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Eddie takes a closer look at what makes H2Ocean different. From mineral rich Red Sea salt to the science behind every formula, there’s a reason professionals have trusted these products for nearly 25 years. 🌊

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25 years of innovation. 250 years of American independence. 🇺🇸🌊
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🇺🇸🎆 H2Ocean’s 4th of July Sale is HERE! 🎆🇺🇸
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🌊 Stock up on your favorite tattoo aftercare, piercing aftercare, oral care, and natural wellness essentials before the sale ends!
🛒 This offer is exclusively available at H2Ocean.com—it is not valid through retailers or marketplaces.
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