Week 6:

Gawad sa Manlilikha
ng Bayan (GAMABA)

 This lesson will discuss the sixteen (16)

Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan or the National Living
Treasure Awardees and their specific contribution in
the Philippine Art. These artists acknowledged for
developing, preserving, and promoting the
traditional art of the Philippines which kept the art
alive even in the present time.
What’s New
Activity 1. Do I Know Them?
Directions: Identify the following artist and their
role in the community.
• Born on November 1, 1981,
Rodel P. Nacianceno a Filipino
performing artist, executive,
and film maker, best known for
playing the lead parts in FPJ's
Ang Probinsyano.
Born December 17, 1978, he is
respected as one of the most
noteworthy proficient boxers of
all time. A Filipino professional
boxer and Senator of the
Philippines.
A tattoo artist who received the
2018 Dangal ng Haraya Award
for Intangible Culture Heritage
by the National Commission for
Culture and the Arts.
What is the Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan?
 The Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan, or National
Living Treasures Award, is a national
recognition given to individuals in the Philippines
who have dedicated their lives to preserving and
promoting traditional arts.
• These awardees are recognized for mastering
their craft and ensuring the continuation of
these age-old traditions.
• The award is conferred by the National
Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA)
under the Republic Act No. 7355.
•What does the term "Manlilikha ng Bayan"
mean?
• “Manlilikha” translates to
“creator” or “artisan.”
• ”Bayan" means "nation" or
"community.“

• Together, it refers to master

craftsmen and artists who have
made exceptional contributions
to the nation's intangible
cultural heritage.
Republic Act No. 7355
• Known as Manlilikha ng Bayan Act
was established in 1992 and shall
mean citizen engaged in any
traditional art uniquely Filipino,
whose distinct skills have reached
such a high level of technical and
artistic excellence and have
passed it on to in his or her
community with the same degree
of technical and artistic
competence.
National Commission for Culture and
the Arts (NCCA)
• The highest policy and coordinating
body for culture and the arts of the
state.
• It has to search for the finest traditional
artist of the land who adopts a program
that will ensure the transfer of their
skills to others, undertakes measures to
promote a genuine appreciation of and
crafts and give pride among our people
Historical Background

• Created in 1992, the Gawad Manlilikha ng

Bayan was established to safeguard the diverse
and rich cultural traditions of the Philippines.
• The award parallels the National Artist Award
but focuses on traditional folk artists and
craftsmen.
Criteria for Selection
1. Mastery of the craft – The individual must
have gained a high level of expertise in a
traditional art form, whether it be visual art,
performing art, or craft.
2. Historical and Cultural Significance – The
artist’s work must represent a specific cultural
community, preserving and upholding traditions
that are essential to that group.
3. Dedication to the Craft – The individual must
have passed on their skills and knowledge to
others, ensuring the survival of the traditional
• Samaon Sulaiman was a master of
the kutyapi (Kudyapi), a traditional
two-stringed lute.
• Hailing from Mamasapano,
Maguindanao, he was recognized for
his exceptional skill and his efforts to
preserve and promote traditional
Maguindanaoan music. Samaon Sulaiman
• Preserved the kutyapi's traditional (d. 2011)

repertoire and contributed to its

cultural richness by ensuring that the
younger generations were familiar
• Lang Dulay was a renowned T’boli
master weaver from Lake Sebu,
South Cotabato, and an awardee in
1998.
• She was celebrated for her
exceptional craftsmanship in creating
T’nalak, the traditional abaca cloth
Lang Dulay
of the T’boli people.
(d. 2015)
• Lang Dulay is often referred to as a T’boli/Lake Sebu,
"dreamweaver" because her designs SOCCSKSARGEN
were believed to be inspired by her
dreams, a unique characteristic of
 Inabal Weaving
• recognized in 1998 for her
exceptional skill and dedication
to preserving the traditional
weaving of the Tagabawa
Bagobo people from Bansalan,
Davao del Sur.
• She became known as the last
Bagobo weaver who mastered
Salinta the traditional craft of weaving
Monon (d. abaca fabrics, which were
• Tagabawa
2009)
Bagobo/Bansalan,
central to the cultural identity
 • awardee from the Yakan
community in Basilan, recognized
in 2000 for his mastery of
traditional Yakan music,
particularly in playing indigenous
musical instruments.
Uwang • He is celebrated for his deep
Ahadas understanding of Yakan musical
traditions and his dedication to
preserving and passing on these
cultural practices to future
• Yakan/ Lamitan, Basilangenerations.
Island,
 • a renowned master mat weaver
from the Sama indigenous group of
Ungos Matata, Tandubas, Tawi-
Tawi.
• She was recognized as a Gawad
Manlilikha ng Bayan (National
Hajja Amina Living Treasure) in 2004 for her
Appi (d. 2013) exceptional skill in weaving
traditional Sama mats,
particularly the banig, made from
pandan leaves.
• developed new patterns and color
Ambalang Ausalin
• an awardee from the Yakan
community in Basilan,
recognized for her extraordinary
skills in weaving the traditional
Yakan textiles.
• She was awarded in 2016 for her
mastery in creating tapestries • Lamitan, Basilan
and garments using intricate Island,
techniques such as sinaluan Bangsamoro
Autonomous
and seputangan, which are Region in Muslim
among the most complex forms Mindanao
 B’laan Mat Weaving
Estelita Tumandan Bantilan
• known for her exceptional skills in
traditional mat weaving.
• She was awarded in 2016 for her
mastery of the B’laan igem
(traditional mat weaving), an
intricate craft using native grass
called pandan. Upper Lasang,
Sapu
• The B’laan igem mats are deeply Masla, Malapatan,
symbolic in B’laan culture, often Saranggani
Region XII
used during important life events SOCCSKSARGEN
Yabing Masalon Dulo (1914–2021)
• an awardee from the Blaan
indigenous group in Southern
Mindanao, recognized for her
exceptional skills in ikat weaving,
specifically the creation of the
traditional T’nalak fabric.
• Her meticulous weaving process
involved stripping abaca fibers, Amguo, Landan,
dyeing them with natural dyes Polomolok, South
Cotabato
(from plants such as root crops), Region XII
and then weaving them into SOCCSKSARGEN
The Importance of Preserving Traditional Arts

1. Cultural Identity: Traditional arts are closely

tied to the identity of various indigenous groups
across the Philippines. They reflect the history,
beliefs, and practices that have been passed
down through generations.
2. Diversity: The Philippines is home to over 100
ethno-linguistic groups, each with its own
unique traditions. The Gawad Manlilikha ng
Bayan highlights the country’s cultural diversity.
3.Education: The passing of skills from the
master to younger generations ensures that
these arts do not vanish. The award helps
formalize and encourage this process of
education.
4.Cultural Tourism: Traditional arts also play a
significant role in cultural tourism, attracting
people who are interested in the Philippines' rich
cultural heritage.
 T’nalak by Sinaluan by Inabal by
the T’boli Tagabawa
the Yakan. Bagobo
What can I do:
Weaving Activity Using Color Papers
Objective:
• Students will learn the basic techniques of
weaving using colored paper.
• This activity introduces them to the
concept of weaving patterns, like
traditional Filipino weaving styles (T’nalak
by the T’boli or Sinaluan by the Yakan),
while using easy-to-find materials.
Materials Needed: Colored paper (variety of
colors), Scissors, Ruler, Pencil, Glue stick or
tape…
The end!