05/13/2026
If I could photograph anyone in the world, it would be her.
Apo Whang-od. Born in 1917. Still tattooing. The oldest living mambabatok in the Philippines and one of the most legendary artists to ever live.
In 2023, at 106 years old, she became the oldest person ever on the cover of Vogue. Her story was highlighted to raise awareness and to preserve the art of kalinga tattoo.
The colors are from my own aura photo, taken coming back from a visit to the Philippines. Overlaying them onto her just felt right. These are the colors I carried home from the motherland.
📷 Original photo: Vogue Philippines