Nas Daily takes down 'Whang-od Academy' course amid backlash
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 4) — An online course supposedly to be taught by revered Filipino tattooist Apo Whang-od Oggay, or better known as Whang-od, was taken down from a digital learning platform by vlogger Nas Daily after a relative of the 104-year-old artist called it a scam.
Gracia Palicas, a tattoo artist herself, said in a post on a Facebook group that her grandmother never agreed to teach an online class.
"My grandmother did not sign any contract with @NasDaily to do any academy," she said. "PLEASE HELP US STOP this disrespect to the legacy of Apo Whang Od and the Butbot Tribe."
The now-unavailable course from the Nas Academy was priced at P750 and it promoted lessons on Whang-Od's journey, her methods in traditional Kalinga tattoo making, and the cultural aspect of her medium.
The course also drew the ire of netizens, accusing Nas Daily of exploiting Filipino culture. He has yet to respond to these allegations.
Nas Daily, or Nuseir Yassin, rose to social media fame by producing informative one-minute travel videos. The vlogger later opened Nas Academy which features multiple virtual courses including some taught by Filipino professionals such as Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray who will teach "How To Be A Queen", designer Michael Cinco who will teach about fashion, and reporter Jessica Soho who will teach about broadcast journalism.
