Labis na ikinabahala ng Local Government Unit (LGU) ng Tinglayan, Kalinga ang mga lumabas na ulat at larawan sa social media tungkol sa isang dayuhang lalaki na nagpalagay umano kay Apo Whang-od ng tattoo sa maselang bahagi ng kanyang katawan.
Dahil dito, pinaalalahanan ng pamahalaan ng Tinglayan ang mga bumibisita kay Apo Whang-od sa Buscalan na pairalin ang respeto, hindi lamang sa 109-anyos na mambabatok kundi pati na rin sa kultura at tradisyon ng mga Kalinga.
Itinuturing si Apo Whang-od bilang National Treasure ng Pilipinas at kinikilala bilang pinakamatandang mambabatok.
Dinarayo siya ng mga kilalang personalidad at turista mula sa iba’t ibang panig ng mundo na nagtutungo sa Buscalan upang magpalagay ng tradisyonal na tattoo mula sa kanya.
Ngunit iginiit ng LGU Tinglayan na ang Kalinga batok ay hindi lamang isang tourist attraction o simpleng body art.
TINGLAYAN ON CULTURAL IMPORTANCE OF BATOK
Sa pahayag ng LGU Tinglayan, binigyang-diin nito ang kahalagahan ng Kalinga batok bilang buhay na bahagi ng kultura at pagkakakilanlan ng mga Kalinga.
Saad nila: “The Local Government Unit of Tinglayan strongly reminds all visitors that Kalinga batok is not merely a tourist attraction, nor is it simply a form of body art that can be requested without regard for its cultural meaning and context.
“Batok is a living cultural tradition of the Kalinga people, carrying generations of knowledge, identity, symbolism, and heritage. The practice has been passed down through mambabatok and continues to be preserved by practitioners in our communities.
“We are therefore deeply concerned by reports of a visitor who insisted on having a tattoo placed on an intimate part of his body by Apo Whang-od.
“While we respect Apo Whang-od's personal decision as a mambabatok, we likewise emphasize that visitors have a responsibility to approach Kalinga traditions with respect, sensitivity, and cultural understanding.
“The fact that a cultural practitioner may agree to a request does not mean that every request is appropriate.”
Read: Why Apo Whang-Od is not eligible for the National Artist award
"CULTURAL HERITAGE SHOULD NEVER BE REDUCED TO A NOVELTY"
Ayon pa sa LGU Tinglayan, ang international recognition ni Apo Whang-od at ng Kalinga batok ay patuloy na nagdadala ng mga turista mula sa iba’t ibang panig ng mundo sa kanilang mga komunidad.
Gayunman, hinimok nito ang mga bisita na magkaroon ng tunay na pagpapahalaga at pagnanais na matuto tungkol sa kultura sa halip na ituring itong simpleng palabas o katuwaan.
“The international recognition of Apo Whang-od and Kalinga batok has brought visitors from around the world to our communities.
“We welcome those who come with genuine appreciation and a desire to learn. However, cultural heritage should never be reduced to a novelty, spectacle, or personal dare for the amusement of a visitor.
“We call on all tourists, content creators, tour operators, and other stakeholders visiting Buscalan and other Kalinga communities to observe proper cultural etiquette, respect our elders and cultural practitioners, and understand the meaning and significance of the traditions they encounter.”
Sa pagtatapos ng pahayag, muling nanawagan ang LGU Tinglayan ng respeto mula sa lahat ng bumibisita sa Kalinga.
“Come to Kalinga with curiosity, but also with respect.
“Our culture is not a prop. Our traditions are not a joke. Our heritage is not a souvenir.
“Kalinga batok deserves to be experienced, understood, and respected for what it truly is, a living expression of Kalinga identity and heritage.”
Read: Apo Whang-od, biktima ng cancel culture dahil sa panghihipo kay Piolo Pascual