"Preserving Heritage: Where Tradition Meets Skin" - Ate Wamz (Mambabatok)
Kapatik World Tattoo Expo 2025
We're honored to showcase a Traditional Mambabatok artist, also known as Traditional Hand Tapping Tattoo, at the Kapatik World Tattoo Expo 2025!
From the stunning landscapes of Benguet & Tinoc Ifugao in the Cordillera region, 𝐀𝐭𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐦𝐳 is a respected Kalanguya/Kankanaey artist, blending the rich traditions of her culture into each intricate tattoo.
This marks her second appearance at Kapatik, where she brings the Cordillera Tattoo heritage to Cebu. We invite you to experience the timeless artistry of hand tapping tattoos
Please message artist directly for availability.
Booths are selling fast! Register now: www.kapatiktattoo.com/registration
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Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu
December 02, 2024
PHILIPPINE CONSULATE WELCOMES MAMBABATEK AND CULTURAL ADVOCATES
02 December 2024, Honolulu – Vice Consul Leizel Caasi welcomed Ms. Wilma Gaspili, a renowned mambatek (traditional hand-tap tattoo practitioner) at the Consulate today. Joining the call were Cultural Officer Mia Gaspar, Ms. Jennifer Taylor, Ms. Angie King, and Ms. Leah Stephenson.
Fondly called “Ate Wamz,” Ms. Gaspili shared her activities across the U.S. since October, which started with a lecture - demonstration of the batek tradition at University of Hawaii at Hilo.
Batek utilizes organic materials including, bamboo sticks, lemon tree thorn, water from Mount Pulag, and ink made from the soot of pine sourced from different areas in the Philippines and some select sites overseas.
During the courtesy call, discussions on the Filipino-American experience and their own appreciation for indigenous cultural heritage in the Philippines were also touched upon. Ate Wamz also shared that her visit also allowed her to conduct a ritual for some indigenous materials stored at the Field Museum archives in Chicago and visit the site of the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair.
For more info visit: https://www.facebook.com/PHinHonolulu
Imperial Hotel Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia (July 26-28, 2024)
Miri Tattoo Festival 2024
A TATTOO FESTIVAL USING THE THEME OF BORNEO’S WEALTH OF TRADITIONAL TATTOO ART AND CULTURE
The tattoo party this time will be held at Imperial Hotel, Miri Sarawak, Borneo in accordance with the traditional theme that does not use air conditioning and the atmosphere of the foyer of Rumah Ulu Mulu still maintains the use of wood carvings as the basis of construction. For the first time, the Miri Traditional Carving Art Association emphasizes the original art/culture of the Dayak tribe in Borneo. In addition to tattooing, there are also other activities such as Kuntau performance (Dayak martial art), traditional music performance using Sape, Bebiau, and Pampat Drums, Handicraft Shop from Sarawak natives, and a parade using traditional Dayak clothing around Coco Cabana.
For More Information visit: https://inkppl.com/en/tattooevents/2024/july-2024/miri-tattoo-festival-2024
Thank you to the Philippine Consulate General in Macau
Rhythmic Taps of Tradition -Rappler News
JUL 12, 2024 12:17 PM PHT Article by: MARI-AN C. SANTOS
Manbabatek Wilma Gaspili's path takes a notable turn when Filipino-American comedian Jo Koy visited Baguio and chose her to ink a part of his story onto his skin
BAGUIO, Philippines – The soft, rhythmic tapping of wooden sticks fills the air at Igorot’s Charm Cafe, a sound that transports listeners back to a time when tattoos were not just skin deep but carried the weight of cultural heritage and personal identity.
Wilma “Ate Wamz” Gaspili, a manbabatek (traditional tattoo practitioner in Kankanaey), sits poised and focused, her hands steady as she prepares to ink yet another intricate design onto the skin of a client.
Full Article: https://www.rappler.com/philippines/luzon/rhythmic-taps-tattoo-tradition-manbabatek-baguio/
Invitation to showcase the talent of Filipinos
Rainforest World Music Festival
The Rainforest World Music Festival is an annual celebration of culture, music and nature.
The event – held at Kuching in Sarawak, Malaysia – brings together all the different cultures in the world under one roof to showcase their music and heritage.
Wilma Gaspili I am an indigenous tattoo artist and advocate. My objective is to promote cultural awareness and preservation.
Join us in celebrating and recognizing the unique skills and creativity that define the Filipino spirit. Don't miss this opportunity to be part of a global audience that appreciates and honors the remarkable contributions of Filipino artists.
Another remarkable milestone and a meaningful conversation.
WILMA GASPILI
Thank you, Philippine Embassy in China for inviting me to be part of the celebration of Independence Day.
It's an honor to be here and part of this event and share and talk about our Filipino tattoo culture.
Being an Indigenous, I am proud to be here, and I believe that sharing our cultures can help us better understand each other.
Standout Moment! from Philippine Daily Inquirer / 06. 07. 24
A “mambabatok” from Benguet province stood out at a recent international tattoo convention in China .
As the only traditional tattoo artist among the 800 invited world-class tattoo artists from more than 40 countries.
Wilma Gaspili joined world-class Filipino tattoo artists Joel Buzon, Analou Savage, and Aldrin Ace Jimenez and showcased their talents at the 2024 China Tattoo Convention held at the Langfang Conference and Exhibition Center in Hebei, China, last May 25 to May 27.
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, Gaspili attracted the attention of her fellow tattoo artists because she was the only traditional tattoo artist at the convention.
She demonstrated the unique “mambabatok” technique of lightly tapping bamboo sticks to inscribe the tattoo. Gaspili was also one of the few female tattoo artists who participated in the annual event. —DONA Z. PAZZIBUGAN
Read more: https://globalnation.inquirer.net/238807/tattoo-artist-stands-out-in-china-convention#ixzz8cQpayU10
After my China international tattoo convention in Langfang, I got the chance to visit the Philippines Embassy in Beijing, China. It was an honor to meet our ambassador Jaime Floy Cruz and his wife Ana and all the staff of the embassy. Thank you for receiving me well and giving time for me to share my experience during the event and for let me share my stories. Thank you for your big support.
MABUHAY!
