President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. on Wednesday conferred the Presidential Medal of Merit to 106-year-old Kalinga tattoo artist Apo Whang-Od for her contributions to the Philippine traditional arts.

'We are honoring Apo Whang Od for works that have made her and the country famous for other achievements that make her Filipino worthy of our respect and of our admiration. She’s a pioneer in shattering gender stereotypes venturing into tattooing when it was just a man’s exclusive preserve,'' Marcos said in his speech during the Civil Service Commission’s (CSC) Honor Awards Program (HAP) in Malacanang Palace.

''She's a keeper of the oral traditions and a mentor teaching a new generation of artists thus ensuring that her artform lives on to tell tales of our community's history. Her craft and stature as an internationally recognized artist raised international awareness of our country's rich cultural heritage,'' he added.

The President said Apo Whang Od could be considered as a national treasure because her work appeals to diverse cultures.

Whang-Od, who started tattooing at the age of 15, is known as the last living mambabatok, an artist who uses thorn and bamboo sticks to draw tribal design tattoos.

Awards given out by the President were the 2023 Civil Service Commission Pagasa Award, 2023 Dangal ng Bayan Award, the 2023 Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award and the Presidential Medal of Merit.

The Presidential Communications Office said these awards were conferred to an individual or group of individuals for exceptional or extraordinary contributions with nationwide impact on public interest, security, and patrimony.