Whang-od Academy

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Whang-od Academy
Whang-od Academy screencap.png
TypeOnline course
DiscontinuedAugust 4, 2021
Platform(s)Nas Academy (Web)
StatusInactive
Pricing modelPaid service
Websitenasacademy.com/ph/whang-od/ancient-art-of-tattooing

Whang-od Academy, also known as Learn The Ancient Art of Tattooing, was a planned paid online course on traditional tattooing featuring Whang-od. It was planned to be hosted at Nas Academy, an online education platform by Arab-Israeli video blogger Nuseir Yassin who is also known as Nas Daily.[1]

Nas Daily was subject to controversy, after Whang-od's grandniece Grace Palicas alleged that he did not obtained proper consent from the elder tattooist for the online course. The incident has received attention from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) which maintains that prior consent is needed from the entire Butbut community, of which Whang-od is a part of, for the online course.

Background[]

In late June 2021, Nas Academy announced that it would be collaborating with 12 Filipinos for its online courses which included traditional tattooist Whang-Od.[2][3] Whang-od is a Kalinga artist who is known for her people's traditional tattoo practice of batok.[4] The course was available at the Nas Academy platform at a price of ₱750 (around US$15).[5] It includes three videos, ranging from 4 and a half minutes to 18 minutes long, and two live sessions with trainers.[6]

Prepare to learn a 1000-year-old art form from the last Kaling tattoo artist in the world: Whang-od. This 104-year-old legend will reveal all her rituals, tools, and methods for making traditional tattoos. All packed in a course that's unlike anything we've ever done before!

— Description of the Whang-od Academy course at Nas Academy.[1]

Reception[]

On August 4, 2021, Whang-od's grandniece and apprentice Grace Palicas called the online course a "scam" in a Facebook post published in the Tattooed by Apo Whang Od group page adding that her grandmother did not sign any contract and that she did not understand translators she dealt with in connection with the online course. In behalf of the Butbot tribe, of which Whang-od is a part of, Palicas also relayed concerns of their community's art and culture being exploited.[7] The Whang-od Academy was taken down in the same day reportedly in exchange of Nas Academy's request for Palicas deleting her posts.[4] Nas Academy added that the course takedown was temporarily done out of respect of Whang-od's family while it "resolves any issues that have arisen from these falsehoods".[8]

In response, Nas Daily released a 22-second video showing Whang-od, joined by niece Estella Palingdao, use her thumbprint to sign a contract.[5] The video was used a proof that Whang-od and his immediate family consented the setting up of the online course. According to Nas Daily, Palingdao served as translator and witness to the contract signing.[8] The following day, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) announced that it conducting its own probe to determine "whether proper consultations have been undertaken". The NPIC noted that despite the contract, Nas Daily should have secured Free and Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) from the Butbut community under the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) of 1997 where "manifestations of indigenous culture" for commercial use is only allowed with FPIC from the Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) involved.[9]

Nas Daily's Facebook page lost around 500,000 followers three days after Palicas's accusation. Nas Daily had 20.5 million followers in August 3, 2021.[5]

Nas Academy Philippines announced on August 8, 2021 that it would stop its operations until further notice, while it works with the NCIP to "ensure that all proper processes are followed" which meant that its new customers won't be able to purchase any courses.[10][11]

References[]

  1. ^ a b Licsie, Ayie (August 4, 2021). "Nas Daily created a Whang-Od tattoo masterclass without her consent, says artist's granddaughter". L!fe. The Philippine Star. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
  2. ^ "Nas Daily to create 12 Pinoy video academies". Manila Standard. June 29, 2021. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
  3. ^ "Nas Academy takes down Whang-Od course after grandniece calls it a scam". Rappler. August 4, 2021. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
  4. ^ a b "Nas Daily removes pay-to-view Whang-Od tattoo tutorial after complaint from artist's grandniece". ANCX. ABS-CBN News. August 4, 2021. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
  5. ^ a b c Bong, Ian (August 7, 2021). "Nas Daily FB page loses over 500,000 followers amid Whang-od issue". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
  6. ^ "Nas Daily set up a Whang-Od Tattoo Academy, but Whang Od may not have signed off on it". Yahoo! News. Coconuts Manila. August 4, 2021. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
  7. ^ Llemit, Kathleen (August 4, 2021). "Nas Daily under fire for including Apo Whang Od in Nas Academy". The Philippine Star. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
  8. ^ a b "Nas Academy maintains Whang-Od 'consented' to tattoo masterclass". CNN Philippines. August 5, 2021. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
  9. ^ Hernando-Malipot, Merlina (August 10, 2021). "NCIP probes Nas Academy, Whang-Od controversy; public urged to report any 'exploitation, violation' against IPs". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
  10. ^ "Nas Academy pauses operations in PH amid Whang-Od issue". ABS-CBN News. August 8, 2021. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
  11. ^ Cua, Aric John (August 9, 2021). "Nas Academy suspends PH operations". The Manila Times. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
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