SAEDNEWS: 106-Year-Old Filipino Woman Becomes the Oldest Person Ever Featured on the Cover of Vogue
According to Saed News, citing Euronews, a striking image of Apo Whang-Od, an artist dedicated to traditional tattooing, has graced the cover of Vogue magazine in the Philippines. This indigenous woman is the oldest practitioner of traditional Filipino tattoos, a cultural art form that has been passed down among the country’s native communities.
Apo Whang-Od, also known as Maria Oggay, began practicing traditional Filipino tattooing at the age of 16. The tattoos are created using bamboo branches and needles dipped in charcoal and natural pigments.
Historically, these tattoos held profound spiritual significance. Locals believed they symbolically protected the wearer from malevolent spirits and served as a rite of passage, preparing individuals for life after death.
The 106-year-old artist has now become the oldest model in the history of Vogue magazine.
The tradition of Filipino tattooing declined during the Spanish colonial period as Christianity spread across the islands. Today, it faces further risk due to Western cultural influences and modernization.
Despite these challenges, Apo Whang-Od has been instrumental in preserving this art form. Thousands have traveled to her remote village of Buscalan, north of Manila, to meet her and receive traditional tattoos. She has also trained a new generation of artists dedicated to keeping the practice alive.
Before Apo Whang-Od’s appearance on the Vogue Philippines cover, the record for the oldest person featured on the magazine’s front page was held by British actress Judi Dench, who appeared at 85 on Vogue UK in 2020.
