Treasures of a living heritage: The Philippines honors nine traditional artists and artisans with Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan

Nine indigenous, traditional and folk artists and artisans from different ethnic groups in the Philippines were formally bestowed the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA) or National Living Treasures Award in a conferment ceremony held on 7 May at the Manila Metropolitan Theater, presided over by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. with assistance from Victorino “Ino” Mapa Manalo, chairman of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), which administers the award.

At the same level with the Order of National Artists, which was established in 1972 and honors exemplary artists in modern artforms, the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (literally translated to “award to the creator of the nation”) is the state’s highest honor for exemplary traditional and folk artists, artisans, knowledge bearers and cultural practitioners, who have shown high levels of technical and artistic excellence and who have passed on their skills and knowledge to the younger generation.

“Ang Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan ay higit pa sa isang pagkilala. Ito ay isang pagdiriwang ng diwa, kasanayan, at kaalamang patuloy na iniaalay ng ating mga tradisyunal na alagad ng sining sa kanilang mga komunidad at sa sambayanang Filipino. Sa likod ng bawat hinabing tela at banig, inukit na kahoy, galaw ng katawan, o isinasalaysay na epiko ay isang buhay na kasaysayan, kaalaman at kadakilaan — isang tulay na nag-uugnay sa nakaraan at sa kasalukuyan (The Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan is more than just a recognition. It is a celebration of the spirit, skill and knowledge that our traditional artists continue to offer to their communities and to the Filipino people. Behind every woven fabric and mat, the carving of the wood, movement of the body, or chanting of an epic is a living history, wisdom and greatness — a bridge that connects the past and the present),” explained NCCA executive director Eric B. Zerrudo in his welcome remarks.

He further said: “Ang mga Manlilikha ng Bayan ay hindi lamang mga tagapagmana ng kaalaman. Sila rin ay mga guro, gabay, at tagapagtanggol ng mga paniniwala at praktis na nag-ugat sa ating katutubong kultura. Sa kanilang walang-sawang pagtuturo at pagpasa ng kanilang mga kasanayan, binubuhay nila ang kolektibong alaala ng kanilang mga ninuno at pinapalalim ang ating pagkilala sa ating pagka-Filipino (The Manlilikha ng Bayan are not merely heirs of knowledge. They are also teachers, guides, and guardians of beliefs and practices rooted in our indigenous culture. Through their tireless teaching and transmission of their skills, they keep alive the collective memory of their ancestors and deepen our understanding of what it means to be Filipino.”

So far, 16 practitioners have been awarded since the GAMABA was institutionalized in 1993. Adding to these are the nine newly declared Manlilikha ng Bayan, the most numerous in one cycle in the history of the award: Adelita Romualdo Bagcal, Ilocano mandállot or dallot chanter from Banna, Ilocos Norte; Abina Tawide Coguit, Agusan Manobo embroiderer and from La Paz, Agusan del Sur; Sakinur-Ain Mugong Delasas, Sama traditional dancer from Simunul and Bongao, Tawi-Tawi; Bundos Fara, Tboli brass caster from Lake Sebu, South Cotabato; Marife Ravidas Ganahon, Higaonon Manobo mat weaver from Malaybalay, Bukidnon; Amparo Balansi Mabanag, Ga’dang embroiderer and practitioner of beadwork from Paracelis, Mountain Province; Samporonia Pagsac Madanlo, Mandaya textile weaver from Caraga, Davao Oriental; Barbara Kibed Ofong, Tboli textile weaver from Lake Sebu, South Cotabato; and Rosie Ungkal Godwino Sula, Tboli chanter from Lake Sebu, South Cotabato. (Note: Read more about the awardees in the article “Hail the newly declared National Living Treasures,” published on 2 Jan 2024 and can be accessed through https://tribune.net.ph/2024/01/01/hail-the-newly-declared-national-living-treasures.)

Like the National Artist award, GAMABA’s selection process is also rigorous entailing research and deliberations. It starts with an open call for nominations, a recent development as before there was a search committee scouring the country for potential awardees. After screening nominations, research and documentation are conducted on the nominees and their practices, which can take from several months to years, and the selected researchers prepare outputs. The nominations undergo two levels of reviews and evaluations by panels of experts and a last deliberation by the NCCA Board of Commissioners. The selected are endorsed to the President of the Philippines, requesting them to issue a declaration.

The just concluded cycle started with a call for nominations in 2020, after the conferment of Blaan textile weaver Yabing Masalon Dulo, Blaan mat weaver Estelita Bantilan and Yakan textile weaver Ambalang Ausalin in 2018. The Covid-19 pandemic, which reached the Philippines in February 2020, and the ensuing lockdowns and restrictions that became one of the longest and harshest in the world, disrupted the process and posed challenges, especially in meeting nomination requirements. Results came in by 2023, and Proclamation No. 427 was signed on 15 December 2023. After about two years, the NCCA was able to hold the conferment ceremony, which was attended by officials and employees of the NCCA; representatives from other cultural agencies and government offices and departments; families and friends of the awardees; and three Manlilikha ng Bayan — Bantilan from Malapatan, Sarangani; textile weaver Magdalena Gamayo from Ilocos Norte, and gourd hat maker Teofilo Garcia from Abra.

“The issuance of Proclamation No. 427 in 2023 affirms the state’s commitment to honor and to support our cultural masters whose lives are dedicated to the enrichment of our cultural spirit. So today, with deep gratitude and profound admiration, we extend our sincerest congratulations to the nine 2023 GAMABA awardees. Their passion and mastery of their craft, entwined with their community’s distinct cultures and values, have earned them this rightful recognition to be among the country’s finest traditional artists,” Pres. Marcos said in his speech during the ceremony.

He expressed gratitude to the awardees, whom he described as “living embodiments of our national heritage and pillars of our cultural identity," and “a guiding light towards a future where tradition and progress must coexist,” saying, “Sa ating Manlilikha ng Bayan, maraming salamat po sa pagtuturo ng kahalagahan ng ating katutubong kultura. Sa gitna ng makabagong mundo, kayo ang tinig ng ating pinagmulan (To our National Living Treasures, thank you very much for teaching the importance of our indigenous culture. In the midst of a changing world, you are the voice of our roots).”

He added, “Be assured that this administration, through the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, will continue to champion traditional arts, indigenous knowledge, and cultural sustainability.”

“Kasabay ng pangakong ito ang panawagan ko sa lahat ng Filpino, lalong-lalo na sa ating kabataan — kilalanin natin at ipagmalaki natin ang sariling atin (With this promise, I also call on all Filipinos, especially our youth, to know and be proud of our own). Support the continuation of the priceless legacies that have been passed on to us by our cultural masters. It is our civic duty to keep these traditions alive. For within them lie our voice, our strength, and the very essence of our identity),” the President said in conclusion.

Seventy-one-year-old Delasas delivered a response on behalf of all the awardees.

“Salamat sa inyong lahat na naniniwala at nagtitiwala sa aming kakayahan, at sa aming pamilya, komunidad sa walang humpay na pagmamahal at suporta. Nawa’y bigyan pa kami ng lakas na ituloy ang aming sining at maisalin sa mga susunod na henerasyon (Thank you all for believing and trusting in our ability, and to our family and community for the untiring love and support. May we given more strength to continue our art and to pass it on to the next generations),” she said. “Maunawaan at pahalagahan sana, hindi lang kaming siyam, ngunit ang lahat ng traditional artists na patuloy na nagsusumikap upang ipagpatuloy ang kanilang kultura sa kabila ng lakas ng impluwensiya ng bagong panahon (Hopefully, they understand and value not only us, nine, but all the traditional artists who strive to continue to sustain their culture despite the strength of the influence of the new times).”