Documentary on Apo Whang-Od to premiere at VIFF

"Treasure of the Rice Terraces," a documentary about Indigenous tattoo artist Apo Whang-Od and Philippine traditional tattoo culture, will premiere at the Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) in October.

Directed by Filipino-Canadian Kent Donguines, the film explores the history and cultural preservation of Indigenous Kalinga tattoos in Buscalan, Whang-Od's hometown.

The documentary highlights how this body art tradition serves as a means to preserve culture, foster pride, and reinforce identity.

Apo Whang-Od, 107 years old, is prominently featured, with the film exploring the evolution of traditional tattoos from stigmatized practices to a source of pride.

The film also features personalities such as Michelle Dee, who paid tribute to Whang-Od in her Miss Universe 2023 gown, designer Mark Bumgarner, Mambabatok Grace Palicas, and Kim Atienza.

Donguines stated that the documentary is his way of reclaiming his heritage and challenging the exploitation that shaped Filipino culture.

Filmed in Canada and the Philippines, the documentary counters issues of identity, cultural appropriation, stigmatization, and discrimination against tattooed individuals.