Apo Whang Od Lends Her Voice To Promote Play Based On Her Life

Manila, Philippines--De La Salle University's (DLSU) Harlequin Theatre Guild celebrates its 51st season by staging "Ang Huling Mambabatok," a play based on the life of Maria Oggay, also known as Apo Whang Od, an elderly traditional Kalinga tattooist.

Apo Whang Od, who speaks in a Kalinga dialect, provides the voice for this just-released video trailer of "Ang Huling Mambabatok."

Written by Em Mendez ("Ang Nanay Kong Ex-NPA," "Barbie Girls") and directed by Romualdo "Raffy Tejada ("Magtanggol Liberacion," "June at Johnny"), "Ang Huling Mamababatok" will play at DLSU's Teresa Yuchengco Auditorium this Friday (August 10) and Saturday (August 11) at 4:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Besides honoring the legendary Whang Od, the production will also showcase the indigenous arts, culture, and traditions of Kalinga, a landlocked province part of the Cordillera Administrative Region in Luzon, Philippines.

The play has three parts: (1) "Batang Nangarap," where a young Whang Od and the early traditions and rituals of Kalinga are introduced, (2) "Dalagang Umibig," where our protagonist had to choose between love and destiny, and (3) "Ang Babaeng Nagpursigi," where the radical revisions in the Kalinga tattoo art tradition are tackled.

Jeld Manalo and Dia Alvaro are associate directors; Edgardo "Dodjie" Fernandez, musical director; Carlon Matobato and Gerard Dy, choreographers; Roman "Oman" Cruz, lighting designer, and Romualdo "Raffy" Tejada and Joseph Duran, scenographers.

"Ang Huling Mambabatok" is presented by the DLSU Culture and Arts Office and the DLSU Harlequin Theatre Guild.

Buy tickets (P300) from Alyette Ang (63917) 329 8056.

Video: Jersey De Guzman, Jesus Castro