National Living Treasures Award (Philippines) Explained

National Living Treasure Award
Native Name:
Type:Medal
For:See Award
Status:Currently constituted
Head Title:Sovereign
Head:President of the Philippines
Higher:Order of Gabriela Silang
Same:Order of National Artists, Order of National Scientists, Order of National Social Scientists, Order of Lakandula - Special Class of Champion for Life
Lower:Gawad Mabini

The National Living Treasures Award, alternatively known as the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA;), is conferred to a person or group of artists recognized by the Government of the Philippines for their contributions to the country's intangible cultural heritage. A recipient of the award, a National Living Treasure or Manlilikha ng Bayan is "a Filipino citizen or group of Filipino citizens engaged in any traditional art uniquely Filipino, whose distinctive skills have reached such a high level of technical and artistic excellence and have been passed on to and widely practiced by the present generations in their community with the same degree of technical and artistic competence."[1]

History

In 1988, the National Folk Artists Award was organized by the Rotary Club of Makati-Ayala. The distinctions were given by the organization until it was replaced by the GAMABA Law in 1992. The recipients of the National Folk Artists from 1988–1992 are not recognized by the government as the award was given by a private organization.[2]

The National Living Treasures Award (Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan) was institutionalized in 1992 through Republic Act No. 7355.

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts, which is the highest policy-making and coordinating body of the Philippines for culture and the arts, was tasked with the implementation and awarding. This is in line with UNESCO's criteria of Living National Treasures.

Criteria

To become a National Living Treasure, the candidate must possess the following qualifications:[3]

  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:

  1. 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.
  2. has been instrumental in the revitalization of their community's artistic tradition.
  3. has passed on to the other members of the community skills in the folk art for which the community is traditionally known.
  4. community has recognized them as master and teacher of their craft.

Awards and Incentives

The Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan recipients, as exemplified in Republic Act No. 7355[4] shall receive a plaque or medal bearing the logo of the award. A duplicate of this is to be donated to and permanently displayed in the pertinent provincial museum or largest cultural center.

An initial grant of One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) and Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) a month thereafter for life.

Categories

The categories are, but not limited to, the following categories of traditional folk arts:

Other artistic expressions of traditional culture may be added, such as the case of the ethnomedicine category, which was added only in 2020.[5]

Recipients

As defined by UNESCO, the bearers of intangible cultural heritage are to be known internationally as Living Human Treasures. The Filipino counterparts of this title are the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA) awardees.

There are currently twenty-five declared GAMABA awardees, all of which have exemplified the highest standard in their respective field of expertise.[6]

Recipients

!Image !Name !Category / declaration !Ethnic group / community!Native of !Proclamation !Year of declaration
Ginaw Bilog(For) faithfully preserving the Mangyan script and poetry by writing it on bamboo, and by promoting it in every occasion, so that this art will not be lost, but will be preserved for posterity[7] [8] Hanunuo Mangyan cultural community Mansalay, Oriental MindoroPresidential Proclamation No. 383, May 17, 1994[9] 1993
Masino IntarayAs a gifted poet, musician, epic chanter and storyteller, with the Basal and Kulilal Ensemble of Makagwa Valley, has been faithfully promoting and preserving the musical and literary tradition of the Palawan people [10] Pala’wan Brooke's Point, PalawanPresidential Proclamation No. 384, May 17, 1994[11] 1993
Samaon SulaimanHighest excellence in the art of Kutyapi playing and manifested his unwavering dedication and commitment to his art [12] Maguindanao Mamasapano, MaguindanaoPresidential Proclamation No. 385, May 17, 1994 [13] 1993
Lang DulayHighest excellence in the art of abaca-ikat (T’nalak) weaving and manifested her unwavering dedication and commitment to her art[14] T'boli Lake Sebu, South CotabatoPresidential Proclamation No. 1189, March 27, 1998[15] 1998
Salinta MononHighest level of excellence in the art of abaca-ikat (Abaca – ikat / Inabal) weaving and manifested her unwavering dedication and commitment to her art[16] Tagabawa-Bagobo communityBansalan, Davao del SurPresidential Proclamation No. 1188, March 27, 1998 [17] 1998
Alonzo SaclagKalinga Musician and Dance [18] Lubuagan, Kalinga2000
Federico CaballeroEpic Chanter of Kinaray-a and other languanges [19] Sulod- Bukidnon, Iloilo2000
Uwang AhadasYakan music[20] Lamitan, Basilan2000
Darhata SawabiPis syabit weaving[21] Parang, Sulu2004
Eduardo MutucPinukpuk bronze and silver metalwork [22] KapampanganApalit, Pampanga2004
Haja Amina AppiMaster mat weaver[23] Sama-BajauTandubas, Tawi-Tawi2004
Teofilo GarciaThe Preservation Of The Native Headgear Known As The Tabungaw By Keeping The Tradition Alive In His Community[24] IlocanoSan Quintin, AbraPresidential Proclamation No. 474, September 13, 2012 [25] 2012
Magdalena Gamayo(She) has contributed to the development of the Ilocano abel by using traditional designs in her work as well as perfecting weaving techniques that further enhance the uniqueness of these designs[26] IlocanoPinili, Ilocos NortePresidential Proclamation No. 474, September 13, 2012 [27] 2012
Ambalang AusalinRecognized for her commitment to the safeguarding and promotion of the Yakan tennun (tapestry weaving) tradition[28] Lamitan, BasilanPresidential proclamation no. 126, signed January 6, 2017 [29] 2016
Estelita Tumandan BantilanRecognized for her commitment to the safeguarding and promotion of the B'laan igem (mat weaving) tradition[30] Malapatan, SaranganiPresidential proclamation no. 126, signed January 6, 2017 2016
Recognized for her commitment to the safeguarding and promotion of the B'laan mabal tabih (ikat weaving) tradition[31] Polomolok, South CotabatoPresidential proclamation no. 126, signed January 6, 2017 2016
Adelita BagcalRecognized for her commitment to safeguarding and promoting the Dallot and other ilocano oral traditions[32] IlocanoBanna, Ilocos NortePresidential Proclamation NO. 427, December 15, 2023 [33] 2023
Abina CoguitSuyam embroidery tradition of the Agusan ManoboLa Paz, Agusan del SurPresidential Proclamation NO. 427, December 15, 2023 2023
Sakinur-ain DelasasRecognized for her commitment to safeguarding and promoting the Same igal (dance) traditionSama-BajauBongao, Tawi-TawiPresidential Proclamation NO. 427, December 15, 2023 2023
Bundos FaraRecognized for his commitment to safeguarding and promoting the T'boli temwel (brasscasting) traditionT'boli Lake Sebu, South CotabatoPresidential Proclamation NO. 427, December 15, 2023 2023
Marife GanahonRecognized for her commitment to safeguarding and promoting the Higanon ikaw (mat weaving) traditionHigaononMalaybalay, BukidnonPresidential Proclamation NO. 427, December 15, 2023 2023
Amparo MabanagRecognized for her commitment to safeguarding and promoting the Ga'dang manu'bak and ameru (beadworks and embroidery) traditionsGa'dangParacelis, Mountain ProvincePresidential Proclamation NO. 427, December 15, 2023 2023
Samporonia MadanloRecognized for her commitment to safeguarding and promoting the Mandaya dagmay (ikat weaving) traditionMandayaCaraga, Davao OrientalPresidential Proclamation NO. 427, December 15, 2023 2023
Barbara OfongRecognized for her commitment to safeguarding and promoting the T'boli t'nalak (ikat weaving) traditionT'boli Lake Sebu, South CotabatoPresidential Proclamation NO. 427, December 15, 2023 2023
Rosie SulaRecognized for her commitment to safeguarding and promoting the T'boli lingon (chanting) traditionT'boli Lake Sebu, South CotabatoPresidential Proclamation NO. 427, December 15, 2023

See also

Notes and References

  1. https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2003/09/19/executive-order-no-236/ Executive Order No. 236, s. 2003
  2. Web site: GAMABA: Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan . National Commission for Culture and the Arts . 15 September 2021.
  3. Web site: Briefer: Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan. https://web.archive.org/web/20150112143101/http://www.gov.ph/briefer-gawad-sa-manlilikha-ng-bayan/. dead. 12 January 2015. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. 28 August 2016.
  4. Web site: Supreme Court E-Library RA 7355 .
  5. News: Pag-iwayan . Jessica . November 2, 2020 . Albularyo, babaylan, and manghihilot are now considered national living treasures . . December 21, 2023.
  6. News: Manipon . Roel. Hail the newly declared National Living Treasures. October 28, 2024 . . January 2, 2024.
  7. Web site: GAMABA: Ginaw Bilog . 2019-12-14 . Ncca.gov.ph.
  8. Postma . Antoon . 1995 . THE AMBAHAN: A MANGYAN POEM OF MINDORO . Philippine Quarterly of Culture and Society . 23 . 1 . 44–61 . 0115-0243 . 15 September 2021.
  9. Web site: Proclamation No. 383 . 2024-09-01 . lawphil.net.
  10. Web site: GAMABA: Masino Intaray . 2019-12-14 . Ncca.gov.ph.
  11. Web site: Proclamation No. 384 . 2024-09-01 . lawphil.net.
  12. Web site: GAMABA: Samaon Sulaiman . 2019-12-14 . Ncca.gov.ph.
  13. Web site: Proclamation No. 385 . 2024-09-01 . lawphil.net.
  14. Web site: GAMABA: Lang Dulay . 2019-12-14 . Ncca.gov.ph.
  15. Web site: Proclamation No. 1189 . 2024-09-01 . lawphil.net.
  16. Web site: National Living Treasures: Salinta Monon - National Commission for Culture and the Arts . 2019-12-14 . Ncca.gov.ph.
  17. Web site: Proclamation No. 1188 . 2024-09-01 . lawphil.net.
  18. Web site: GAMABA: Alonzo Saclag . 2019-12-14 . Ncca.gov.ph.
  19. Web site: GAMABA: Federico Caballero . 2019-12-14 . Ncca.gov.ph.
  20. Web site: GAMABA: Uwang Ahadas . 2019-12-14 . Ncca.gov.ph.
  21. Web site: GAMABA: Darhata Sawabi . 2019-12-14 . Ncca.gov.ph.
  22. Web site: GAMABA: Eduardo Mutuc . 2019-12-14 . Ncca.gov.ph.
  23. Web site: GAMABA: Haja Amina Appi . 2019-12-14 . Ncca.gov.ph.
  24. Web site: GAMABA: Teofilo Garcia . 2019-12-14 . Ncca.gov.ph.
  25. Web site: Proclamation No. 475 . 2024-09-01 . lawphil.net.
  26. Web site: GAMABA: Magdalena Gamayo . 2019-12-14 . Ncca.gov.ph.
  27. Web site: Proclamation No. 474 . 2024-09-01 . lawphil.net.
  28. Web site: 1943-03-04 . National Living Treasures: Ambalang Ausalin - National Commission for Culture and the Arts . 2019-12-14 . Ncca.gov.ph.
  29. Web site: Proclamation No. 126 . 2024-09-01 . lawphil.net.
  30. Web site: 1940-10-17 . Manlilikha ng Bayan - Estelita Bantilan . 2019-12-14 . Ncca.gov.ph.
  31. Web site: 1914-08-08 . National Living Treasures: Yabing Masalon Dulo - National Commission for Culture and the Arts . 2019-12-14 . Ncca.gov.ph.
  32. Declaring nine (9) individuals as Manlilikha ng Bayan for 2023. PP. 427, s. 2023. December 15, 2023. December 21, 2023.
  33. Web site: Proclamation No. 427 . 2024-09-01 . lawphil.net.

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