An official House Resolution commended Vogue Philippines for its iconic issue featuring the oldest cover star in the magazine’s history
In its April 2023 beauty issue, Vogue Philippines challenged the norm by fronting the oldest cover star in Vogue history — 106-year-old Kalinga mambabatok (traditional tattooist) Apo Whang-Od. Photographed by Artu Nepomuceno, the cover celebrated the allure of gray hair, aged skin, and elaborate tattoos. The issue also highlighted the cultural significance of maintaining a thousand-year-old tattooing tradition, passed down to different generations by Whang-Od. Vogue Philippines’ bold move gained worldwide applause, sparking dialogues on the true essence of beauty.
For its continued global impact, the House of Representatives of the Philippines adopted House Resolution 1949 to officially congratulate and commend Vogue Philippines. The resolution states, “The April 2023 Vogue Philippines’ Beauty issue cover is groundbreaking on so many levels, prompting international personalities and celebrities to notice and admire the beauty and power of its featured model.”
Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Philippines Bea Valdes reflects on the achievement saying, “As part of the creative industries, and the Philippine edition of Vogue, it has been our privilege to share stories of our Filipino culture and our countrymen’s accomplishments with our local and global audiences.”
In addition to the adoption of House Resolution 1949, a copy of the resolution will be officially furnished to Vogue Philippines, Apo Whang-Od, and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.
Read the April 2023 Apo Whang-Od cover story by Vogue Philippines at https://www.vogue.com/article/apo-whang-od-and-the-indelible-marks-of-filipino-identity