Apo Whang-Od Not Aware She Would Teach In Nas Academy Masterclass

NCIP Says Apo Whang-od Did Not Give Consent to Teach Tattooing in Nas Academy

APO WHANG-OD – The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) said Apo Whang-od did not give her consent to teach an online learning platform for Nas Academy.

Last month, Arab Israeli video blogger Nuseir Yassin, more popularly known as Nas Daily, announced on his FB Page that he and his team will launch twelve new academies in the Philippines. He said Kalinga tattooist Apo Whang-Od will also participate in his online workshop.

Weeks after that announcement, the grandniece of the oldest tattoo artist called out Nas for being a “scam.” She said Whang-Od did not sign any contract to do the course.

Nuseir Yassin was accused of earning money by exploiting indigenous people such as the 104-year-old tattoo artist. In response, Nas shared a video of Whang-Od affixing her thumbprint to a document.

The National Commission of Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) immediately reviewed the tattoo artists’ contract with Nas. Meanwhile, Filipino netizens want the vlogger to be declared persona non-grata in the Philippines.

On Sunday, August 29, the NCIP released a statement regarding Apo Whang-Od’s alleged contract with Nas Daily. They said the legendary tattoo artist did not give her consent to teach an online course for the vlogger.

The agency based its statement on interviews it conducted last August 17 with Whang-Od, her family, the elders, and the leaders of the community. The artist also said she’s not aware of any contract nor did she affix her thumb mark on any documents.

Apo Whang Od’s niece and representative Stella Palangdao also told the agency that the provisions of the contract were not explained to them. She said they were only made to sign a contract for interviews, filming, and photography.

NCIP said that the contract was grossly onerous to the artist. The elders of their community also said affirmed that the Nas Academy could “lead to the demise of their culture-driven tourism industry.”

The agency said they will help the tattoo artist and the community if they want to pursue legal actions against the vlogger.

No, Apo Whang-od did not give her consent to teach tattooing in Nas Academy, says NCIP.
According to the findings, Apo Whang-od is “not aware of any contract and she did not affix her thumb mark in any contract for this account.” | @tinaarceodumlao pic.twitter.com/GDRfLYk38B
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) August 29, 2021