16 July 2024 – Ms. Wilma Gaspili, widely known as Ate Wamz, who hails from the Benguet Kankana-ey and Ifugao Kalanguya tribes of the Cordillera region, proudly represented the Philippines at the Rainforest World Music Festival held in Sarawak from 26 to 28 June 2024. Ate Wamz captivated attendees by showcasing the Philippines' rich cultural heritage of traditional tattooing.

 

Ate Wamz has been a passionate advocate for the art of tattooing since 2018. Her dedication to this ancient practice led her to begin her journey as a tattoo artist in 2022, earning her recognition and admiration in the community. She uses the traditional method of hand-tapping the batok (tattoo) onto the skin using tools and ink made of natural materials. Her ink concoction creates a long-lasting natural pigment.

 

On 9 July 2024, Ate Wamz, along with members of the Filipino Community BIBAK Malaysia (Bontoc, Ifugao, Benguet, Abra, and Kalinga Apayao), paid a courtesy visit on Ambassador Maria Angela Ponce. The meeting underscored the significance of cultural preservation and international representation, as Ate Wamz discussed her participation in past events as well as upcoming art-related ones in the US, China, and Taiwan.

 

A number of Embassy personnel were fortunate to get inked by Ate Wamz using traditional patterns depicting nature, such as her trademark Mt. Pulag design.

 

Ate Wamz is set to take part in the International Tattoo Convention in Miri, Sarawak, from July 26 to 28, continuing her mission to promote the traditional art of Filipino tattooing. END

 

 

For more information, please contact: