The Gawad Manlilikha NG Bayan

The Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMBA) National Artists (The National Living Treasures)

Background of the Award

In April 1992, the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan or The National Living Treasures Award was
institutionalized through the Republic Act No. 7355. Tasked with the administration and implementation
of the Award is the National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA), the highest policy-making and
coordinating body for culture and the arts of the State. The NCCA, through the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng
Bayan Committee and an Ad Hoc Panel of Experts, conducts the search for the finest artists of the land,
adopts a program that will ensure the transfer of their skill to others and undertakes measures to
promote a genuine appreciation of and instill pride among our people about the genius of the Manlilikha
ng Bayan.

First awarded in 1993 to three outstanding artists in music and poetry, the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng
Bayan has its roots in the 1988 National Folk Artists Award organized by the Rotary Club of Makati-
Ayala. As a group, these folk and traditional artists reflected the diverse heritage and cultural traditions
that transcend their beginnings to become part of our national character. As Filipinos, they bring age-old
customs, crafts and ways of living to the attention and appreciation of Filipino life. They provide us with
a vision of ourselves and of our nation, a vision we might be able to realize someday, once we are given
the opportunity to be true to ourselves as artists have remained truthful to their art.
As envisioned under R.A. 7355, “Manlilikha ng Bayan” shall mean a citizen 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 generation in his/her
community with the same degree of technical and artistic competence.
The National Living Treasures Award, alternative known as the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (GUMABA;
lit. Award for the Creators of the Country) is conferred to a person of 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, known as a National Living Treasures or Manlilikha ng Bayan is defined as “a
Filipino citizen or group of Filipino citizens engaged in any traditional art and uniquely Filipino, whose
distinctive skills have reach 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.”
History
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 Arts, which is the highest
policy-making and coordinating body of the Philippines for culture and the arts, was tasked with the
implementation. This is the line with UNESCO’s criteria of Living National Treasures.
Criteria
To become a National Living Treasure, the candidate must posses the following qualifications:
1. 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 been 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 make 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 traditionally known.
4. Community has recognized them as master and teacher of their craft.
Categories
The categories are, but not limited to, the following categories of traditional folk arts:
 Folk Architecture
 Maritime Transport
 Weaving
 Literature
 Graphic and plastic arts
 Ornament
 Carving
 Performing arts
 Textile or fiber art
 Pottery
Other artistic expressions of traditional culture may be added.
Recipients and Nominees
Recipients
 Ginaw Bilog (d.2003), artist and poet, Mansalay. Oriental Mindoro Poetry (Ambahan), 1993
 Masino Intaray (d. 2013), musician and epic chanter, Brookes Point, Palawan, Poetry (Kulilal and
Bagit) Music (Basal/Gong), 1993
 Samaon Sulaiman (d. 2011), Musician, Mama sa Pano, Maguindanao Music (Kutyapi), 1993
 Lang Dulay, (d. 2015) textile weaver, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, Weaving (Abaca-ikat/ Inabal),
1998
 Salinta Monon (d. 2009), Waever, Bansalan, Davao del Sur, Weaving (Abaca -ikat /Inabal), 1998
 Alonzo Saclag, musician and dancer, Lubugan, Kalinga Province, Music and Dance (Kalinga), 2000
 Frederico Caballero, epic chanter, Sulod-Bukidnon, Iloilo, Poetry / Epic Chant (Sugidanon), 2000
 Uwang Ahadas, musician, Lamitan, Basilan, music (Yakan specifically Kulintang, kwitangan kayu,
gabbang agung and tuntungan), 2000
 Darhata Sawabi. (d.2005) waever, Parang, Sulu, waeving (Pis Syabit), 2004
 Eduardo Mutuc, metalsmith/metal sculptor, Apalit Pampanga, Metalwork (Bronze and Silver),
2004
 Haja Amina Appi (d.2013), waever, Tandubas, Tawi-Tawi, Waeving (Mat), 2004
 Teofilo Garcia, casque maker, San Quintin, Abra, Casque Making (Tabungaw), 2012
 Magdalena Gamayo, master waever, Pinili, Ilocos Norte, Weaving (Inabel), 2012
 Ambaang Ausalin, master waever, LAmitan, Basilan, Waeving (Yakantennun), 2016
 Estelita Tumandaan Bantilan, master waever, Malapatan, Sarangani, Weaving (B’laan igem),
2016
 Yabing Masalaon Dulo, master waever, Polomok, South Cotabato, Weaving (Ikat), 2016
Current Nominees
 Whang-od, tattoo artist, Tinglayan, Kalinga, Tattoing (Batek/Batok), nominated October 21, 2017

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The Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMBA) National Artists (The National Living Treasures)

Background of the Award

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

Other artistic expressions of traditional culture may be added.

Recipients and Nominees

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