📸 Jamiz Travelblog: Tattooed by the Oldest Tattoo Artist in the Philippines! [part 2]

Now to Continue our journey to Kalinga and meet the oldest tattoo artist in the Philippines.
You may want to check out PART I if you haven't read it. :)

That Jeepney Ride to Bugnay

We have to wake up at around 4:00 in the morning to catch any bus or jeepney going to Tinglayan or Tabuk, Kalinga. We had a quick breakfast of Pan de Sal bought from a boy vendor.

While waiting for the jeepney, and nearly finished all the coffee (and our coins) from the coffee dispenser nearby. The jeepney finally came at around 6:00 am and the driver said that it will leave at around 7:00 am ++ for Tinglayan, Kalinga. He will drop as at the junction in Bugnay so that we can catch a motorbike ride to Buscalan.

Viewing purposes

Bridge

Once it's ok for us to get on the vehicle, we immediately got a place on the roof for viewing purposes. lol… The trip to Bugnay with the free scenic view costs around P80.00.

While we were on the roof of the vehicle, Joy (Fil-Canadian) & Luke(Australian) also joined us. They are also going to see Apo Whang-Od and get a tattoo from her.

I had a quick conversation with an old local fellow that there are some Good Stuff scattered around Kalinga. We just need to find it.

Bugnay

We noticed lots and lots of wild (but domesticated) pigs just hanging around the road. Some were big, some were small, some were fat and some were lazy and lots of them. lol… Then the driver told us that we are in Bugnay junction. The gateway to Buscalan.

Free Range PIGS!

We got into motorbikes for hire (habal-habal). One for the girls and One for myself. Joy & Luke also got one. The fare was around P100.00 per head. Although I was the only passenger, I still get to pay P100.00 which was OK.

It took us around 30 minutes to get to the other junction in which you have to hike for 40-60 minutes. Don’t worry, you won't get lost since there is a slippery concrete path to get to the village where Apo Whang-Od is.

Buscalan

Some guy told us that we are the 20th people going to visit Apo Whang-od and will have to wait for them to be done. He even told us that we can get the tattoo the next day. But when we arrived at Apo Whang-Od’s place, nobody was there and we are the first ones to get a tattoo on that day. We finally met her. She was eating that time and was smiling. She did not look 90+ at all.

Our home for 2 days :)

They let us stay at Apo Whang-Od’s crib in which they welcomed us with Kalinga Coffee which tastes really good and Pinikpikan for lunch.

In her house, there were lots of photos of her with all other people that got a tattoo from her even Lars Krutak the Tattoo Hunter.

Kalinga Coffee as Welcome drink

With Lars Krutak.. the Tattoo Hunter.

Mambabatok in Action

There were new comers and they are not going to stay for long so we let them go first. They are just two guys anyways. Then we met with Luke and Joy who came after us.

We paid some dude with a logbook. Wrote our names and phone numbers there because incase we come back there in the future, we don’t have to pay another P50.00.

We also gave Apo packs of Matches as a gift and gave the children of buscalan some candies (and it was very chaotic... lol).

Hershey, Apo Whang-od's pet retriever

They gave us catalogs with ancient Filipino tattoo designs. But what I want is her original designs, not from any other Tribes from the Philippines. Some of the designs shown were from a Manobo or the Baybayin which Apo Whang-Od did not do during the time when headhunting was in existence.

I found a design which kind of suits me. The Hawk or Ginawang which is some kind of protection (Spiritual Messenger) to the warriors while they are on a headhunting mission.

Ginawang.. I guess this is for me.. I might need a spiritual messenger...

Finally, Whang-Od took her tattoo instruments. A bamboo shaft with a small hole enough for the citrus thorn to be inserted. Then, she took a small bowl of what appears to be an ink (made from a soot from a pot).

I finally decided to place the tattoo on my upper chest instead of my right leg. She took a small stick and drew the design on my right chest with the ink made from pot soot. Although she has a cold and coughing that time, she is still willing to proceed. Then, she hammered the needle with another stick into my skin. I thought it would hurt but it didn’t. It actually felt good really good. I think better than those electric tattoo needles. In around 20 minutes, I was already done! She then took a small bottle of coconut oil and put some on the finished tattoo.

Apo Whang Od doing what she does best.

This is what Sheena got.

I got tattooed by the oldest tattoo artist in the Philippines without chopping anyone's head off. lol

Then she proceed with the guys next to me. Regina followed by Sheena then, Joy. Luke did not get one though. Sheena & Regina got the Manobo diamond design on their arms while Joy got the same design as mine but in one of her butt cheeks. lol…

Chill at Buscalan

After the fun talks with the locals we decided to grab a few drinks and hang out in a hut and watch the day turn into night playing cards and stuff. There were new comers but there will be getting the tattoo the next day as Whang-Od was already tired and need her rest.

The Crew!

Yep that is the trail from Buscalan to the Junction. Less thank 40 minutes hike!

Slept early because we need to wake up and leave very very early. Paid the owner of the house our rent (P200.00 each) and bought some Kalinga Coffee (P100.00) for souvenir.

Woke up up the next day and began our very cold and dark 2-hour hike towards Bugnay to wait for any vehicles bound for Bontoc as we are out of time.

That night, I slept like a princess ;)

Waited for hours for any buses or jeepney bound for Bontoc but none came. Some guy said that the earliest bus is 8:00am which is a long wait. We took an expensive motorcycle for hire instead to save precious time. We got to enjoy the cold air and better views anyways. We arrived at Bontoc in 1.5 hours just in time for the bus to leave for Baguio City. And another 6 hours of butt breaking journey and P400.00 pesos poorer for that.

Baguio Again.. Colder this time

We arrived at Baguio City an hour behind schedule but when we got to the Victory Liner terminal, the place was packed with people trying to get back to Manila for the New Year and most of them were chance passengers. Now, our chance to get back to Cebu was very slim. I also have to get a fast craft ride from Cebu to Leyte to spend my New Year at home with my family.

Now, time was running out and we killed more time by staying at SM Baguio eating Pizza and playing Tong-its. Then we decided to do backtrack again and hope for the best (Plan W). Another sleepless night again towards home. We went to another terminal and all is full of chance passengers.

Baguio City Sunset.

We got lucky there was this guy mentioned that there is a Van-for-Hire going to San Fernando, La Union and we took that chance. Yep, we luckily got the ride to San Fernando. That was 7:00 in the evening and arrived at San Fernando, La Union at around 9:00 PM (P100.00). Got on a bus (P470.00) for Cubao, QC for another 5-hour trip. And by the way, we already missed our flight back to Cebu, Our flight was at 10:00 PM and we are still in La Union! Lol…

Damn Stub

We were supposed to arrive earlier but there was this damn traffic in Monumento Circle which killed 2 hours. What the Hell?!!

Manila, Cebu, Leyte... New Year! Oh man...

Arrived at Partas Terminal and took another Bus bound for Pasay City. Took a cab to the airport hoping there are still flights bound Cebu City. And yes! we bought tickets to Cebu home for a killer price but we get to go back to Cebu on time. The time was 5:00 and our flight back is 7:00 AM so more time to take a quick shower (on the sink) and change those clothes that I was wearing for the past 3 days.

And we were off… Arrived safely in Mactan International Airport at 9:00 AM, December 31, 2014. But I have to catch a fast ferry to Ormoc at 11:00 AM. I know… More queue and waiting.. Got a quick breakfast and went straight to Pier 1. The boat left on time and arrived on time (2 hours trip). I have to take another 1.5 hour Van-for-Hire ride to get to my hometown.

Arrived safely at 4:00 PM just enough time for a New Year Celebration! Although very tired, I still enjoy the unexpected experience!

Something to Learn (or not) about this Trip:

• DO NOT go on a trip on a passenger season!
• Book your BUS tickets early!
• It’s OK to lose some cash as long as its worth the experience. This one is worth it.
• Learn a few card games it kills boredom.
• Bring a good book (I brought Bicycle Diaries by David Byrne).
• If all else fail, check GOOGLE! Lucky for the mobile internet.
• Make new friends on the way.
• Igorot Siopao Vendors at Atok is <3 ;)
• When giving candies to the children in Buscalan, be prepared for the crazy mob! lol we learned the hard way…
• Sleep? What Sleep?…
• PACK LIGHT! Leave those useless stuff at home! Bring few, lose few…
• Explore.. It’s ok to get lost.
• Bring a small led light and a power bank! the are useful!
• Take lots of Pictures.
• And by the way, NO! We DO NOT support SM Baguio cutting those precious trees!

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You May want to check out PART I of our unexpected adventure.

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Bonus Pig Cuddling Pic:

Check out this itchy butt piglet!

^{Medium: I only used iPhone 5s during this trip... No special cameras :( but should have brought one.
Blog can also be seen on: http://bisdakbushman.blogspot.com/2015/02/tattooed-by-whang-od-in-kalinga-adventures.html}

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