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. (END)