A traditional tattoo artist from Benguet province stood out at a recent international tattoo convention in China. She was the only traditional artist among the 800 world-class tattooists invited from more than 40 countries.
Wilma Gaspili joined Filipino tattoo artists Joel Buzon, Analou Savage, and Aldrin Ace Jimenez to showcase their talents at the 2024 China Tattoo Convention. The event took place at the Langfang Conference and Exhibition Center in Hebei, China, from May 25 to May 27.
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, Gaspili drew significant attention for her unique traditional technique. She uses a method called “mambabatok,” which involves lightly tapping bamboo sticks to create tattoos.
Gaspili was also one of the few female tattoo artists participating in the annual event.