Nas Daily founder Nuseir Yassin insisted Monday narratives that they used tattoo master Apo Whang-Od are “false.”
In a video, Yassin hit netizens who spread what he called “fake news” on social media in light of the controversy surrounding the Whang-Od tattoo course offered by Nas Academy.
“[P]eople continued with this fake news. The same people say we used Whang-Od, which is also false,” Yassin said.
RELATED STORY: Nas Academy suspends Philippine operations after Whang-Od backlash
Yassin came under fire after Whang-Od’s grandniece Gracia Palicas called the online tattoo course a “scam” since they were not aware of the supposed contract in relation to the online course.
Palicas also expressed concerns that their tribe’s art—the Bubut tribe of Kalinga—and culture are being exploited.
“In everything we do, we get permission. We work with the family directly and got their consent,” Yassin said.
“We made sure to support them during these difficult times. We did all of this as an act of support, not an act of exploitation,” he added.
READ ON: Catriona Gray suspends accepting applicants on Nas Academy amid Whang-Od backlash
Yassin said they have decided to temporarily pause Nas Academy in the Philippines while they work with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples “to make sure everything is legal and okay because we care.”
“One thing my mother taught me is character. You cannot make fake news above our character. That is a red line,” Yassin said.
“Don’t get me wrong. We’re not perfect, we make mistakes, but our intentions are pure,” he added. (NM)
