A 106-year-old Filipina has become the oldest model to grace the cover of Vogue.

At 106 years old, a tattoo artist from the Philippines has become the oldest person ever to grace the cover of this fashion magazine. The oldest model for Vogue resides in the mountain village of Buscalan in Kalinga province.

It’s hard to call this elegant woman “old” or “grandma.” What’s her secret to youth? Perhaps it lies in her creativity, which offers a wise, bright, and fresh perspective on life. Wang-Od, also known as Maria Oggay, has been practicing the traditional art of tattooing called mambabatok since her teenage years, honing her craft throughout her life. According to CNN, it was her father who taught Wang-Od the tribal technique of hand-tapping tattoos.

Today, she is regarded as the oldest mambabatok master in the country. For her creations, she uses a bamboo stick, a thorn from a pomelo tree, water, and charcoal. The majority of her clientele consists of foreign tourists and travelers eager to leave with Wang-Od’s signature geometric patterns on their skin. In the past, only warriors from the local tribe were allowed to have such tattoos.

As the staff of Vogue Philippines noted on social media, Wang-Od has etched the symbols of Kalinga province onto the skin of thousands who have made the pilgrimage to Buscalan. These symbols represent strength, bravery, and beauty.

This centuries-old craft can only be passed down to blood relatives, so for several years now, Wang-Od has been teaching the mambabatok technique to her grandnieces. She sadly remarked that all her peers who also practiced this art have already passed away. However, she is not afraid that the tradition will die, as the craft is being embraced by the next generations of artists.

How did Wang-Od end up on the cover of the famous magazine? Bea Valdes, the editor-in-chief of Vogue Philippines, explained that it was a unanimous decision among the magazine’s staff. They believe that this individual “embodies the ideals of beauty in Filipino culture.”

The newly minted cover model Apo Wang-Od promised that she will continue to tattoo as long as her eyesight allows. Until now, the record for the oldest model on the cover of this glossy magazine belonged to actress Judi Dench, who became the face of the British edition of Vogue at the age of 85 in 2020.