GAMABA: 9 Filipino masters proclaimed ‘National Living Treasures’

Nine cultural masters have been conferred the Manlilikha ng Bayan award in December 2023. Read on to know more about them

Malacañan proclaims cultural masters Adelita Romualdo Bagcal, Abina Tawide Coguit, Sakinur-ain Mugong Delasas, and Bundos Bansil Fara as the Philippines’ latest addition to its list of National Living Treasures. Institutionalised in April 1992, the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan seeks to adopt a program to ensure genuine appreciation and transfer of the trailblazers' skills and works to the new generation.

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The National Commission for the Culture and The Arts (NCCA) and the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan Executive Council search for the finest traditional artists of the land. They should:

- Have a mastery of tools and materials needed for the traditional, folk art and be a maker of works of extraordinary technical quality;
- Have consistently produced works of superior quality over significant period;
- Have engaged in a traditional and folk art which has been in existence and documented for at least fifty (50) years;

Above The new cultural masters Adelita Romualdo Bagcal, Abina Tawide Coguit, Sakinur-ain Mugong Delasas, and Bundos Bansil Fara (Photo: NCCA)

Command respect and inspire admiration of the country with his character and integrity;
Must have transferred and/or willing to transfer to other members of the community the skills in the traditional and folk arts for which the community has become nationally known.
However, a candidate who, due to age or infirmity, has left him/her/them incapable of teaching further his/her/their craft, may still be recognized provided that he/she/they must possess the qualifications as enumerated above.

Below is the list of the newly conferred National Living Treasures:

1. Adelita Romualdo Bagcal

Above Adelita Romualdo Bagcal (Photo: Ilocos Norte Tourism)

Ilocano master Adelita Romualdo Bagcal, called "Ina Lita" by her loved ones and friends, was conferred the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan Award for promoting Dallot or a traditional lullaby used for soothing children to sleep.

Bagcal is also an expert in duayya (Ilokana lullaby) and dung-aw, which is recited during wakes to commemorate the deceased's past accomplishments.

2. Abina Tawide Coguit

Above Abina Tawide Coguit, an Agusan Manobo embroiderer from La Paz, Agusan del Sur

Abina Tawide Coguit, who hails from Sitio Kalampayan in Agusan del Sur, was honoured for her commitment to safeguarding and promoting the Agusan Manobo Suyam embroidery tradition. In Manobo language, Suyam denotes a thread that embodies the tribe's profound ties to their ancestral lands, spiritual connections, and social structure. Adorning the clothing of the Agusan Manobo people, Suyam turns these garments into canvases that represent cultural identity and stories.

3. Haja Sakinur-ain Mugong Delasas

Above Sakinur-ain Mugong Delasas, a Sama master of traditional dance from Bongao, Tawi-Tawi

Haja Sakinur-ain Mugong Delasas was awarded for relentlessly sharing the beauty of Sama igal, a sacred performance during secular social events, including weddings, birthdays, and more. The dance is usually accompanied by a Kulintangan (tagunggo'an) or Agung, a native instrument.

Igal, which translates to "Eagle of the Sea," imitates the movement of the eagle's wings. It is also characterised by fluid and graceful arm movements that mimic the swaying of palm branches and the curling of the waters.

4. Bundos Bansil Fara

Above Bundos Bansil Fara, a T’boli brasscaster from Lake Sebu, South Cotabato

Bundos Bansil Fara, a T'boli brass caster from Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, was honoured for his commitment to promoting the T'boli temwel tradition. Brass casting refers to making objects through pattern creation, mould making, melting and pouring, cooling and solidification, and more.

The modern Tau Temwel uses upcycled brass and other metal scraps, transforming them into pieces that pay homage to T'boli folklore.

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5. Marife Ravidas Ganahon

Above Marife Ravidas Ganahon, a Higaonon mat weaver from Malaybalay, Bukidnon

Marife Ravidas Ganahon is a Higaonon mat weaver from Malaybalay, Bukidnon. She was conferred the award for her commitment to promoting the Higaonon ikam tradition.

Ikam is a soft and pliant mat weaved by women weavers of the Tagoloanen tribe. The materials for ikam are often hard to source, for they can only be found in rice fields during the dry season.

6. Amparo Balansi Mabanag

Above Amparo Balansi Mabanag (Photo: Mountain Beacon/Facebook)

Ga'dang embroiderer Amparo Balansi Mabanag hails from Paracelis in Mountain Province. She is recognised for her commitment to safeguarding the manu'bak and ameru (beadworks and embroidery) traditions of her tribe.

Pieces from Ga'ddang are known for their exquisite beadwork; women weave them from homegrown cotton. They are also dyed in bright, natural hues, including white, yellow, indigo, and red.

7. Samporonia Pagsac Madanlo

Above (Photo: Provincial Government of Davao Oriental)

Samporonia Pagsac Madanlo, a Mandaya ikat weaver from Caraga in Davao Oriental, was given recognition for promoting the Mandaya dagmay (ikat weaving) tradition.

The Mandaya weavers are known for using cotton and abaca for weaving. They also gather dyestuffs (materials used for adding colour to textiles, fabrics, or other materials) from their immediate surroundings.

8. Barbara Kibed Ofong

Above Barbara Kibed Ofong, a T’boli T'nalak weaver from Lake Sebu, South Cotabato

Barbara Kibed Ofong is a T'boli ikat weaver from Lake Sebu, South Cotabato. She is recognised for her efforts in safeguarding the T'boli t'nalak tradition.

T'nalak is a sacred cloth for the T'boli people; traditionally woven by women who belong to the royal family, the patterns of T'nalak depict folklore and stories known to communities around Lake Sebu.

The T'nalak can be distinguished through its tri-colour scheme—white for the pattern, red for relief elements, and black (or deep brown) for the background.

9. Rosie Godwino Sula

Above Rosie Godwino Sula, a T’boli chanter from Lake Sebu, South Cotabato

Rosie Godwino Sula, who also hails from Lake Sebu in South Cotabato, was honoured for her contribution to preserving the T'boli lingon (chanting) tradition.

Lingon chants are usually performed to appease the gods, ask for a good harvest, and seek blessings for ceremonies, including weddings, birth-giving, and more.

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Credits

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NNCA

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RMAmbat Creative Solutions

Tatler Asia

Philippines' National Living Treasures: 9 Filipino masters receive Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan Award