GAMABA

GAMABA
The National Living Treasures Award, alternatively known as the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan
(GAMABA; lit. Award for the Creators of the Country) 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, 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 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.
The National Commission and Culture and Arts (NCCA), since 1992, have been awarding exemplary
Filipinos for the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA). The award is in line with UNESCO’s criteria of
Living National Treasures who are persons with high degree of knowledge or skills to perform or
recreate elements of intangible cultural heritage.
In addition to the qualifications of UNESCO, recipients must possess a mastery of tools needed in the
craft and ties to the indigenous cultural community. Furthermore, they should have revitalized the
community’s artistic tradition and are recognized in their community as a master and teacher.
Aside from plaques and medals, an awardee will be given an initial grant of Php 100,000 and receive
Php10,000 per month for life.
Categories
The categories are, but not limited to, the following categories of traditional folk arts:
 folk architecture
 maritime transport
 weaving
 carving
 performing arts
 literature
 graphic and plastic arts
 ornament
 textile or fiber art
 pottery
Magdalena Gamayo, Abel Weaving – Pinili, Ilocos Norte, 2012
Weaving since she was 16, Magdalena Gamayo or “Lola Magdalena” is a master weaver who not only
weaves traditional Ilocano textile but also designs new patterns. One of her designs employs a difficult
weaving technique called pinilian meaning partially. The weave produces a unique pattern that
resembles a string of flowers thus its name, inubon a sabong. This aided in her nomination to the
GAMABA award in 2012.
Alonzo Saclag, Music and Dance – Lubugan, Kalinga Province, 2000
He created a cultural village and park called Awichon and campaigns for the promotion of the Kalinga
culture in their local schools. He is Alonzo Saclag, an artist with an unwavering passion for the traditional
arts of his province. He taught himself to play traditional Kalinga musical instruments and the Kalinga
ritual dance movements.
Frederico Caballero, Poetry/ Epic Chant – Sulod, Bukidnon, 2000
From a family of epic chanters, Frederico “Tuohan” Caballero quickly fell in love with the art of
suginadon or epic. He helped pioneer the first School of Living Tradition (SLT) in the Visayas. He
continues to pass on the tradition by authoring books, recordings, and teaching the next generation of
epic chanters.
Teofilo Garcia, Casque Making – San Quintin, Abra, 2012
As a farmer, Teofilo Garcia makes use of every part of his crops. One of these is the upo or bottle gourd
that he turns into tabungaw, conical helmets traditionally used by Ilocanos. He has also invented a
gadget to precisely process rattan to use for decorating. He established a training program of raising
gourds and tabungaw-making in his area.
Uwang Ahadas, Yakan Music – Lamitan, Basilan, 2000
To the Yakan people, serenading the rice crops is believed to caress the plants, rousing them from a
deep sleep, encouraging them to grow and yield more fruit. Uwang Ahadas is a master of this
agricultural tradition of playing the kwintangan kayu. He also taught himself to play other traditional
music of his people, the Yakan.
Eduardo Mutuc, Metalwork – Apalit, Pampanga, 2004
Eduardo Mutuc is the artist of many religious pieces of silver, bronze, and wood seen in churches. His
works could be as large as forty feet tall or so small and delicate that it requires detailed craftsmanship.
Eduardo became a master in silver plating, a skill required to make the gold decorations of many secular
decorations.

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GAMABA

 graphic and plastic arts

 textile or fiber art

Alonzo Saclag, Music and Dance – Lubugan, Kalinga Province, 2000

Frederico Caballero, Poetry/ Epic Chant – Sulod, Bukidnon, 2000

Teofilo Garcia, Casque Making – San Quintin, Abra, 2012

Uwang Ahadas, Yakan Music – Lamitan, Basilan, 2000

Eduardo Mutuc, Metalwork – Apalit, Pampanga, 2004

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