MANILA, Philippines — A hanging bridge and pathway funded by actor-politician Robin Padilla offers easier access to the Kalinga village of Buscalan, the residential area of legendary “mambabatok” Apo Whang-od.
Prior to the bridge and pathway’s opening three months ago, travelers seeking to meet and get tattooed by Whang-od had to hike for an hour by foot through mud, rocks and rice paddies to get to her village.
Locals also said the 137-meter bridge is a big help to porters, the elderly, individuals with large baggage, and for emergency situations. Previously, rescuers had to enter the village by helicopter.
Padilla visited Whang-od in Buscalan a year ago where local officials requested funding for construction.
“Isang karangalan po ang bisitahin at makasama kayo. Tutuparin po natin ang inyong mga kahilingan sa Buscalan,” Padilla told Whang-od at the time.
The actor-politician ended up approving a P10-million grant, allocated by the budget department to the local government of Tinglayan.
Construction of the bridge and pathway began at the beginning of the year and was completed by the end of July.
One fellow politician who recently got tattooed by Whang-od was the vice president and Padilla’s colleague Sara Duterte.
The vice president reportedly gave in to the request to be tattooed by Whang-Od after turning her down four times after initially promising her mother she wouldn’t get tattooed.
