Even in their own land, indigenous Filipinos like Apo Whang Od are being subjected to a high degree of exploitation.
Assistant Minority Leader and Gabriela Partylist Representative Arlene Brosas made this observation as the controversy over the exploitation of Apo Whang Od of Kalinga allegedly by popular Palestinian-Israeli vlogger Nuseir Yassin of Nas Daily reached the attention of Congress.
“It is the government’s mandate to protect the culture of indigenous people,” said Brosas, a member of the House Committee on Indigenous Cultural Communities and Indigenous People.
“But for the longest time, they have become even more vulnerable to exploitation whether by big mining corporations or by foreigners like Nuseir Yassin of Nas Daily whose goal is to make profit from IP culture,” the opposition lawmaker noted.
Earlier on Saturday, August 7, Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez called for a congressional inquiry into the controversy. He asked the House Special Committee on Creative Industry and Performing Arts and the Committee on Indigenous Cultural Communities and Indigenous People to conduct the joint investigation.
Fernandez, a member of the creative industry panel, said he will personally ask committee chairman and Pangasinan Rep. Christopher De Venecia to schedule hearings as soon as regular session resumes on August 23.
Brosas said Congress has to initiate moves to protect national treasure’s like Apo Whang Od from being taken advantage of by profiteers like Nas Daily.
“It is high time that we review current laws and strengthen legal protecitons and remedies for IPs who fall victim from these schemes,” she said.
The women’s rights advocate added: “This also serves as a reminder that insensitive cultural appropriations and commodification of our culture will not be tolerated.”
The controversy went viral on social media after Gracia Palicas, Whang Od’s grandniece, came out in public to assail Nas Daily for allegedly “taking advantage” of the Igorot culture when the vlogger created the Whang Od academy that offered courses on traditional tattoo making.
Whang Od reportedly consented to the deal by affixing her thumbmark to a contract prepared by Nas Daily. Questions were raised on the fairness of the contract stipulations.
Whang Od is a popular member of the Butbut community in Kalinga province and has been known for her mastery of Kalinga’s tattooing practice.