Photographed by Artu Nepomuceno
This September, the House of Representatives of the Philippines adopted House Resolution 1949, congratulating and commending Vogue Philippines for making history by featuring Kalinga’s Apo Whang-Od, “Vogue’s Oldest Ever Cover Model,” on the cover of its April 2023 issue.
At the age of 106, Kalinga’s Apo Whang-Od became “Vogue’s Oldest Ever Cover Model” when she graced the April 2023 beauty issue of Vogue Philippines. Whang-Od is the oldest living mamababatok (Kalinga traditional tattooist), keeping the thousand-year-old practice batok alive by training the next generation of tattoo artists in Buscalan. Whang-Od, with her mambabatok tattoos and gray hair, sparked a discussion about what beauty is and what it can be.
For its cultural impact globally, the House of Representatives of the Philippines adopted House Resolution 1949, congratulating and commending Vogue Philippines for making history by featuring Apo Whang-Od in its April 2023 issue. The resolution reads: “The April 2023 Vogue Philippines issue highlights the beauty and diversity of Filipino culture and heritage, and serves as testament to the richness of the country’s history and traditions.”
Furthermore, it reads: “Vogue Philippines has been consistent in showcasing the best of Filipino creativity, talent, and style, and has become a platform for promoting our country’s arts and culture to the world.”
The resolution is in line with the mission of the Arts, Culture, and Creative Industries Bloc (ACCIB) to champion Filipino creativity. “From Filipino architects winning at the World Architecture Festival Awards to culinary superstars and content creators earning Michelin stars or James Beard awards to Filipino musicians winning accolades at the Grammys, we file these resolutions to express the collective sentiments of the House in honoring global achievements,” says Congressman Toff De Venecia, who is the lead convener of ACCIB.
According to De Venecia, these House Resolutions are drafted based on tips or notices from congressional colleagues about outstanding accomplishments in the field. When adopted, the Resolution forms part of the Philippine Congress’ legislative history, serving as an official document that students and scholars can refer to in the future concerning how the government supports creativity and acknowledges achievements in the creative field.
Additionally, it is also a part of the ACCIB’s five-pronged legislative strategy: first, proposing legislation such as the RA 11904 or the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act; second, conducting oversight on how government agencies can better support creative sectors; third, lobbying for significant funding for cultural and creative agencies; and fourth, serving as frontliners in working with the private sector to address the “pain” points in their field through targeted policies.
“Personally, the Vogue cover with Apo Whang-Od is boundary-breaking. It shattered cultural and creative barriers, and it propelled our cultural heritage and Filipino creativity forward into the global stage,” Cong. De Venecia says.
“Vogue Philippines is a leading voice in the creative sector that deserves, not only congressional nods for its achievements but also developmental support in achieving governance outcomes through a whole-of-nation approach,” he continues. “It is our dream for government to work more closely and strategically with creative industries for nation-building and socio-economic growth.”
Along with the adoption of the Resolution, a copy of it will be furnished to Vogue Philippines, Apo Whang-Od, and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.
