Chelsea Manalo gets tattoo from Apo Whang-Od

November 9 ------ Miss Universe Asia 2024 Chelsea Manalo traveled to Kalinga and got the signature three-dot tattoo from Apo Whang-Od, which she described as a “piece of history.” The beauty queen visited the renowned mambabatok along with her rumored boyfriend Cole Micek and a few other companions, as seen on her Instagram page.

Manalo showed off the tattoo inked on her side rib, also giving a glimpse of the tattooing process, called “batok,” which is a traditional Kalinga ethnic hand-tapping tattoo practice that has been around for a thousand years. “I didn’t just get a tattoo. I received a piece of history,” she said in the caption. “A traditional batok given by Apo Whang-Od, the last of her generation keeping this sacred art alive, and a prayer inked by her granddaughter, continuing the lineage with her own hands, it felt like a blessing for the journey ahead.”

Manalo further noted that the tattoo from Whang-od is a pride she carries in her heart and is etched on her skin. “To be able to sit, feel the rhythm of the tapping, and know that every dot carries a story of resilience, identity, and our people, that is something I will carry forever,” she added.

Source: inquirer.net