In Lamitan, a panyam seller waits patiently for someone to purchase her delicacies.

Amparo Balansi Mabanag is the first Ga’dang gumabukat (beadwork/accessory maker) and gumasinnun (weaver)

to receive the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA) distinction.

She picked up her skills by watching her aunt and other artisans work, and when she was by herself, she would mimic what she saw. She was not taught. She was on her own to learn, but she could replicate anything as long as she saw how it was done. She eventually created her own designs as well.

#ProjectLarawan.

Profiles of the Filipino. One portrait at a time.

Project Larawan is an initiative of Gabriel “Gabby” Malvar, a documentary filmmaker, writer and photographer, whose narratives

are nuanced with unique, inventive perspectives to provoke an inquisitive look at his favorite subject, the Philippines.

Become a part of Filipino identity every other Saturday on the DAILY TRIBUNE.