Maria Oggay otherwise known as Apo Whang-Od created history by being the oldest model to be featured on the cover of Vogue’s beauty issue for April.

Apo Whang-Od, a 106-year-old Filipina tattoo artist has been described as the ‘last’ and ‘oldest’ of the mambabatok, a traditional Kalinga tattooist and has inking head hunters and women of the Butbut warriors since the age of 15.

Oggay’s tattoos are composed of indigenous materials including a mixture of charcoal and water that is tapped into the skin using a thorn from calamansi or pomelo tree.

Before gracing the cover of Vogue, she has been celebrated for her contribution to the Filipina culture where she was conferred with the Dangal ng Haraya Award in 2018.

She was also nominated for the National Living Treasures Award in 2017.

After being taught the skill by her father during her teenage years, Oggay shattered the patrimonial tradition to make her mark in a male-dominated field.

Vogue Philippines said in a social media post: ” Whang-Od Oggay symbolizes the strength and beauty of the Filipina spirit.”

“Heralded as the last mambabatok of her generation, she has imprinted the symbols of the Kalinga tribe signifying strength , bravery and beauty on the skin,” Vogue Philippines added.