President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. recently honored nine more Philippine artists who contributed to the preservation of their respective local traditions.
By virtue of Proclamation No. 427, Malacañang Palace has named the following to receive the Gawad ng Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA) for 2023:
- Adelita Romualdo Bagcal (Banna, Ilocos Norte), a Master of Oral Traditions, safeguards and promotes Dallot and other oral traditions of Ilocos.
- Abina Tawide Coguit (La Paz, Agusan Del Sur), a Manobo embroiderer, safeguards and promotes the Agusan-Manobo Suyam (embroidery) tradition.
- Sakinur-ain Mugong Delasas (Bongao, Tawi-Tawi), a Sama Master of Traditional Dance, safeguards and promotes the Sama igal (dance) tradition.
- Bundos Bansil Fara (Lake Sebu, South Cotabato) safeguards and promotes the T'boli temwel (brasscasting) tradition.
- Marife Ravidas Ganahon (Malaybalay, Bukidnon) safeguards and promotes the Higaonon Ikam (mat weaving) tradition.
- Amparo Balansi Mabanag (Paracelis, Mountain Province) safeguards and promotes Ga'dang manu'bak and ameru (beadworks and embroidery) traditions.
- Samporonia Pagsac Madanlo (Caraga, Davao Oriental) safeguards and promotes the Mandaya dagmay (ikat weaving) tradition.
- Barbara Kibed Ofing (Lake Sebu, South Cotabato) safeguards and promotes the T'boli t'nalak (ikat weaving) tradition and
- Rosie Godwino Sula (Lake Sebu, South Cotabato) safeguards and promotes the T'boli lingon (chanting) tradition.
Qualifications
According to Republic Act No. 7355, the National Living Treasures, or the Manlilikha ng Bayan, shall be recognized.
This also promotes and develops the national traditional folk arts.
The qualified Manlilikha ng Bayan shall possess the following criteria and qualifications:
- Technical and creative skills
- Artistic quality
- Nationally known transferred community tradition
- Engaged in folk arts traditions that have been documented for at least 50 years.
- Character and integrity that command respect and admiration for the country
Recipients will receive a plaque or medal, and its duplicate will be displayed in the provincial museum or largest cultural center for community awareness.
They will also receive P100,000 and P10,000 per month over their lifetime.
According to the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the Gawad ng Manlilikha ng Bayan was institutionalized in 1992. The first awards were given in 1993 to three outstanding artists in music and poetry.
Among the previously awarded Manlilikha ng Bayan are Yabing Masalon Dulo, Ikat weaver; Estelita Bantilan, mat weaver; and Ambalang Ausalin, textile weaver, among others.
Fake proclamation
Proclamation No. 427 became the subject of controversy Thursday, December 21, after a bogus proclamation was released on social media, in which it claimed that Malacañan has declared Friday, December 22, a “half-day” to give Filipinos additional time to celebrate Christmas.
Presidential Assistant for Strategic Communications Cesar Chavez took the blame for sharing the fake document, which was shared by media outlets and even some government offices.
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) later clarified that the circulating document was fake.
(With report by James Veloso)
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