Official statement of KMJS after backing out at Nas Academy
Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (KMJS) backed out in its course offering at Nas Academy amid the Whang-od issue.
Earlier, Nas Academy, a school for video creators courtesy of Nuseir Yassin or popularly known as Nas Daily, officially announced that it would be pausing operations in the Philippines following the issue surrounding a course featuring traditional tattoo artist Whang-Od.
Whang-od was revered as one of the country’s last living artists practicing the art of traditional Kalinga tattooing – a hand-tapped method using thorns and charcoal for ink.
Grace Palicas, the grandniece of Whang-od, claimed in a now-deleted post that the “Whang-Od Academy” was a scam and the 104-year-old artist did not sign any contract with Nas’ team.
Nas Academy then responded to Grace’s post, insisting that it had Whang-Od’s consent as the company shared a video of Whang-Od affixing her thumbprint onto a contract as proof.
However, securing permission and consent when it comes to indigenous peoples’ traditions wasn’t that simple as it must be secured as well from the tribe and not just Whang-od herself.
The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples – Cordillera Administrative Region (NCIP-CAR) said that it is reviewing the alleged contract between Whang-od and Nas Academy.
Meanwhile, the magazine show KMJS took to its social media platforms wherein it announced that it will no longer push through its course offering at Nas Academy.
Here’s the official statement of KMJS:
In light of recent events, and after our team’s series of communications with Nas Academy, we decided and mutually agreed not to pursue the Jessica Soho course.
Nas Academy has informed us that they are working with the NCIP. We hope for the resolution of all issues raised.
Aside from KMJS, Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray announced that she and Cornerstone Entertainment will stop accepting new applicants for Nas Academy course.
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