LESSON 6: Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan

I. Introduction
In this lesson, you will learn about our National Living Treasures, more formally known as the awardees of the
Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA) from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts or NCCA. The
awardees produce art forms that are woven into everyday life. These demonstrate how pre-colonial traditions persist
through to the present.

II. Objectives
1. identify the similarities and differences of GAMABA and NAA;
2. relate that being familiar to the background of locally produced materials helps in cultural preservations and
avoiding their misuse;
3. determine the various factors that affects the production of arts;
4. create an artwork inspired by traditional tribal symbols/patterns from the Philippines.

III. Discussion

WHAT IS GAMABA?
- Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (National Living Treasures)
- Was instituted in 1992 by NCCA through R.A. No. 7355
- Manlilikha ng Bayan – “one who creates for the country”
- recognizes exceptional artists who are engaged in the traditional arts.
- it is not every year that a GAMABA is awarded.
- As a mode of validation on a national level, these artists are considered exemplars,
representing what is best in Philippine traditional culture.

CRITERIA:

1. is an inhabitant of an indigenous/traditional cultural community anywhere in the Philippines that has

preserved indigenous customs, beliefs, rituals and traditions and/or has syncretized whatever external
elements that have influenced it.
2. must have engaged in a folk art tradition that has been in existence and documented for at least 50 years.
3. must have consistently performed or produced over a significant period, works of superior and
distinctive quality.
4. must possess a mastery of tools and materials needed by the art, and must have an established
reputation in the art as master and maker of works of extraordinary technical quality.
5. must have passed on and/or will pass on to other members of the community their skills in the folk art for
which the community is traditionally known.

A traditional artist who possesses all the qualities of a Manlilikha ng Bayan candidate, but due to age or infirmity has
left them incapable of teaching further their craft, may still be recognized if:
● had created a significant body of works and/or has consistently displayed excellence in the practice of their
art, thus achieving important contributions for its development.
● has been instrumental in the revitalization of their community's artistic tradition.
● has passed on to the other members of the community skills in the folk art for which the community is
traditionally known.
● community has recognized them as master and teacher of their craft.

CATEGORIES OF GAMABA
- The categories are, but not limited to, the following categories of traditional folk arts: maritime transport,
weaving, carving, performing arts, literature, graphic and plastic arts, ornament, textile or fiber art, and
pottery. Other artistic expressions of traditional culture may be added.
 - As of 2018, there are only 16 GAMABA awardees from the categories of weaving, literature and performing
arts, and ornamental arts.

THE GAMABA AWARDEES

WEAVING:

Lang Dulay (1998)

◂ Ethnicity: T’Boli
◂ Location: Lake Sebu, South Cotabato
◂ Expertise: Tinalak Weaving

Salinta Monon (1998)

◂ Ethnicity: Tagabawa Bagobo
◂ Location: Bansalan, Davao del Sur
◂ Expertise: Inabal Weaving

Darhata Sawabi* (2004)

◂ Ethnicity: Tausug
◂ Location: Parang, Sulu
◂ Expertise: Pis Siyabit Weaving
◂ Died in 2005

Haja Amina Appi* (2004)

◂ Ethnicity: Sama
◂ Location: Tandubas, Tawi- Tawi
◂ Expertise: Mat Weaving
◂ Died in 2013

Magdalena Gamayo (2012)

◂ Ethnicity: Ilocano
◂ Location: Pinili, Ilocos Norte
◂ Expertise: Inabel Weaving

Ambalang Ausalin (2016)

◂ Ethnicity: Yakan
◂ Location: Lamitan, Basilan
◂ Expertise: Yakan tennun Weaving
Estelita Tumandan Bantilan (2016)
◂ Ethnicity: B’laan
◂ Location: Malapatan, Sarangani
◂ Expertise: B’laan igem Weaving

Yabing Masalon Dulo (2016)

◂ Ethnicity: B’laan
◂ Location: Polomok, South Cotabato
◂ Expertise: Ikat Weaving

LITERATURE AND PERFORMING ARTS:

Ginaw Bilog* (1993)

◂ Ethnicity: Hanunoo Mangyan
◂ Location: Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro
◂ Expertise: Surat Mangyan & Ambahan Poetry
◂ Died in 2003

Masino Intaray* (1993)

◂ Ethnicity: Palaw’an
◂ Location: Brookes Point, Palawan
◂ Expertise: Lyrical Poems w/ accompanying instruments;
epic chanting & story telling
◂ Died in 2013

Samaon Sulaiman* (1993)

◂ Ethnicity: Magindanao
◂ Location: Mama sa Pano, Maguindanao
◂ Expertise: playing the kudyapi
◂ Died in 2011

Alonzo Saclag (2000)

◂ Ethnicity: Kalinga
◂ Location: Lubuagan, Kalinga
◂ Expertise: playing Kalinga musical instruments;
dance patterns and movements associated w/ rituals

Federico Caballero (2000)

◂ Ethnicity: Sulod Bukidnon
◂ Location: Calinog, Iloilo, Panay Island
◂ Expertise: chanting the sugidanon epic of the Panay Bukidnon
Uwang Ahadas (2000)
◂ Ethnicity: Yakan
◂ Location: Lamitan, Basilan Island
◂ Expertise: playing Yakan musical instruments

ORNAMENTAL ARTS:

Eduardo Mutuc (2004)

◂ Ethnicity: Kapampangan
◂ Location: Apalit, Pampanga
◂ Expertise: silver plating of religious and secular art

Teofilo Garcia (2012)

◂ Ethnicity: Ilocano
◂ Location: San Quintin, Abra
◂ Expertise: gourd casque making

ISSUES IN GAMABA

1. The Award System - Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA) is a different and separate distinction from
the National Artist Award (NAA).
2. The Production Process and the Changing Environment
a. Dances & Rituals are staged for an external audience rather than for the community’s observance
of tradition.
b. Traditional Art Forms diminish in quality, transformed into mass produced souvenirs.
c. Militarization – the insecurity and tensions brought about by militarized zones arrest the people’s
ability to create art. It prevents people from having communal gatherings, where exchanges and
passing of knowledge can take place.
d. Christianization – the influence of Christianity and the conversion of the natives to a foreign religion
have caused members of the community to forsake their indigenous rituals and traditions.
3. Difficulties in the selection process - Archipelagic Orientation of the Philippines makes some locations
challenging to reach by land, air, or sea.
4. Effect of the GAMABA in the communities - The award system might create a division within
communities. The attention and the entry of outsiders may create disruption. Disruption may change not just
the social and economic relationships, but also the people’s very attitudes, concepts and definitions of the
art forms and the processes.

IV. Activity:
Paper Weaving (By Pair)
Assume that you are a tribe in the Philippines.
Think of your tribe name and design a textile pattern that
will serve as the identity of your tribe. Explain your work.
- Artwork must be composed of 2 or more colors.
- Artwork should be 5x5 inches, pasted on a short bond paper.