Module 2 - Chapter 4

GAMABA and the National Artists

Recognizing one’s contribution to the development of the Philippine arts simply shows how we
treasure and value our Filipino culture. To give honor for the artists’ efforts, two major awards (Order ng
Pambansang Alagad ng Sining or Order of National Artists and Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan or National
Living Treasures Award) are given.
Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan Awards or GAMABA is an award that acknowledges folk and
indigenous artists who, despite the modern times, remain true to their traditions. It is administered by the
National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) through Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan
Committee.
GAMABA began as a project of the Philippine Rotary Club Makati-Ayala. In 1992, it was adopted
by the government and institutionalized Republic Act No. 7355. This award aims to support and motivate
these artists to preserve their artistic heritage for the present and future generations. These artists are also
recognized as the country’s National Living Treasures.
The GAWAD sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA) or the National Living Treasures Award gives
recognition to Filipino traditional craftsmen or artisans whose skills have reached a high level of technical
and artistic excellence and who are tasked to pass on to the present generation knowledge threatened with
extinction.
NCCA chairman Felipe M. de Leon, Jr. spearheaded the institutionalization of the award. The law
was authored by Senators Edgardo J. Angara, Heherson Alvarez, Leticia ramos-Shahani, Sotero Laurel
and Congresswoman Kate Gordon.
On April 3, 1992, President Corazon C. Aquino signed Republic Act No. 7355, providing for the
recognition of the national living treasures, otherwise known as the Manlilikha ng Bayan, and the
promotion and development of traditional folk arts.
On December 17, 1993, the first awarding ceremony for Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan was held
at the Malacaňan Palace.
How does one become a Manlilikha ng Bayan?
To become a Manlilikha ng Bayan”, the candidate must possess the following:
1. He/She is 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. He/She must have engaged in a folk art tradition that has been in existence and documented for at
least fifty (50) years.
3. He/She must have consistently performed or produced over significant period, works of superior
and distinctive quality.
4. He/She must possess a mastery of tools and materials needed by the art, and must have an
established reputation in the arts as master and maker of works of extraordinary technical quality.
5. He/She 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 him/her incapable of teaching further his/her craft, may still be recognized if:
1. He/She has created a significant body of works and/or has consistently displayed excellence in the
practice of his/her art, thus achieving important contributions for its development.
 2. He/She has been instrumental in the revitalization of his/her community’s artistic tradition.
3. He/She has passed on to the other members of the community skills in the folk art for which the
community is traditionally known.
4. His/Her community has recognized him/her as master and teacher of his/her craft.
What are the incentives received by the awardee?
A Manlilika ng Bayan awardee receives a specially designed medallion, an initial grant of
P100,000 and P10.0000 monthly stipends for life. In consonance with the provision of Republic Act No.
7355, which states that “the monetary grant may be increased whenever circumstances so warrant, “the
NCCA board approved monthly personal allowance of P14,000 for the awardees as well as a maximum
cumulative amount of P750,000 medical and hospitalization benefit annually similar to that received by
the National Artists and funeral assistance /tribute fit for a National Living Treasure.
GAMABA Awardees and Nominees
1. Ginaw Bilog (1993). A native of Oriental Mindoro who faithfully helps preserved the Hanunuo
Mangyan script and their Ambahan poetry.
2. Masino Intaray (1993). A native of Palawan who exemplary shared his skills in basal or gong
music ensemble. He is a musician and epic chanter (Kulilal and Bagit).
3. Samaon Sulaiman (1993). A Maguindanao of Mama SaPano who showed outstanding artistry
and dedication to his chosen instrument, the Magindanao kutyapi.
4. Lang Dulay (1998). A T'boli of Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, for her skills in weaving the abaca
ikat cloth known as t'nalak.
5. Salinta Monon (1998). A Tagabawa-Bagobo of Bansalan, Davao del for fully demonstrating her
creative and expressive aspects of the Bagobo abaca ikat weaving called inabal.
6. Alonzo Saclag (2000). A Kalinga of Lubuagan for his mastery of the Kalinga dance and the
performing arts.
7. Frederico Caballero (2000). A Panay-Bukidnon of Calinog, lloilo for his mastery of chanting the
epic tradition of Central Panay, the Sugidanon.
8. Uwang Ahadas (2000). A Yakan of Lamitan, Basilan for his dexterity in playing Yakan musical
instruments such as the agung, gabbang, tuntungan, and kwintangan.
9. Darhata Sawabi, (2005). A weaver of Parang, Sulu province for helping preserve the art of
“Pissyabit weaving.”
10. Eduardo Mutuc (2005). A Kapampangan from Central Luzon for reviving the metal or smithcraft
of Plateria which is in Spanish colonial era.
11. Haja Amina Appi (2005). A Sama of Tandubas, Tawi-Tawi, for sharing her skills in mat weaving
among the Sama indigenous community.
12. Teofilo Garcia (2012). A casque maker of San Quintin, Abra, Casquefor his skill making
Tabungaw.
13. Magdalena Gamayo (2012). A master weaver of Pinili, Ilocos Norte for his skill in Weaving
known as Inabel.
14. Yabing Masalon Dulo (2016). A master weaver of Polomolok, South Cotabato for his
contribution Ikat Weaving.
15. Ambalang Ausalin (2016). A Yakan master weaver of Lamitan, Basilan for Tennun Weaving
skills.
16. Estelita Tumandan Bantilan (2016). A B’laan master weaver of Malapatan, Sarangani for
preserving the Igem Weaving skills.
17. Whang-od (2017). A traditional tattoo artist (mambabatok) of Buscalan, Tinglayan, Kalinga.
Other famous Filipino Artists and their Artwork
1. Ang Kiuko (Painting: The Crucifixion)
2. Diosdado Lorenzo (Painting: Still Life Paintings)
3. Fernando Cueto Amorsolo (Painting: Portrait of Presidents- M.Quezon; M. Roxas; and S. Ozmeña)
 4. Guillermo Tolentino (Sculpture: Oblation and the Bonifacio Monument)
5. Hernando Ocampo (Painting: The Contrast)
6. Juan Luna (Painting: Spoliarium)
7. Napoleon Abueva (Sculpture: Allegorical Harpoon)
8. Solomon Saprid (Sculpture: Tikbalang)
9. Victorio Edades (Painting: The Builders)
10. Vicente Rivera (Painting: Supplication)
National Artists
If you’re given the title of National Artist, you can consider yourself one of the best. By being
given the title, it means you have given significant contributions to the development of Philippine arts and
letters. The recognition is given to those who excel in the fields of Music, Dance, Theatre, Visual Arts,
Literature, Film and Broadcast, and Architecture or Allied Arts.
The very first recipient of this award was painter Fernando Amorsolo, who was touted as the
“Grand Old Man of Philippine Art.” He was the sole awardee in the year 1972, a National Artist for Visual
Arts.
A person who receives this title gets the following honors and privileges:
1. Rank and title of National Artist, as proclaimed by the President of the Philippines;
2. Insignia of a National Artist and a citation;
3. Cash awards, monthly life pension, medical, and hospitalization benefits, life insurance coverage,
state funeral and burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery), and a place of honor
at national state functions along with recognition at cultural events.

There are 66 recognized National Artists to date, with the fields of Visual Arts, Literature, and Music
having the greatest number of recognized National Artists.
Here are some of the more well-known National Artists of the Philippines:
1. Leandro V. Locsin (Architecure, 1990)
 A man who believes that true Philippine Architecture “is the product of two great streams of
culture, the oriental and the occidental… to produce a new object of profound harmony,” Leandro
V. Locsin is the man responsible for designing everything you see at CCP Complex
 The Cultural Center of the Philippines, Folk Arts Theatre, Philippine International Convention
Center, Philcite, and The Westin Hotel (now Sofitel Philippine Plaza).
2. Levi Celerio (Literature and Music, 1997)
 Levi Celerio, a prolific lyricist and composer, is known for having effortlessly translating or
rewriting lyrics of traditional Filipino melodies like “O Maliwanag Na Buwan” (Iloko), “Ako ay
May Singsing” (Pampango), and “Alibangbang” (Visaya). He’s also been immortalized in the
Guinness Book of World Records as the only person to make music using just a leaf.
3. Lino Brocka (Cinema, 1997)
 Catalino “Lino” Ortiz Brocka is known to many as one of, if not the greatest Filipino director of
all time. He espoused “freedom of expression” throughout all his films, injecting each and every
one with a social activist spirit. Some of his well-known works include Tinimbang Ka Ngunit
Kulang (1974), Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag (1975), and Insiang (1976), the latter being
the first Filipino film to be shown at Cannes.
 4. Carlos “Botong” Franciso (Visual Arts, 1973)
 Hailing from the Art Capital of the Philippines, Angono native Carlos “Botong” Francisco is
known for single-handedly reviving the modern art of murals through works that showed slices
of the past. He was such a prolific muralist that he became its most well-known practitioner for
almost 30 years.
5. Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero (Theater, 1997)
 Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero is a teacher and theater artist who, in his 35 years of teaching, has
mentored some of the country’s best Filipino performing artists, including Joy Virata and Joonee
Gamboa. He is also the founder and artistic director of the UP Mobile Theater, leading the way
for the concept of a theater campus by bringing theater closer to students and audiences in the
countryside.
6. Leonor Orosa Goquingco
 Leonor Orosa Goquingco is a pioneer Filipino choreographer known to many as “The
Trailblazer,” “The Mother of Philippine Theater Dance,” and “Dean of Filipino Performing Arts
Critics.” She has produced stunning choreographies during her 50-year career, highlighted by
“Filipinescas: Philippine Life, Legend, and Love,” which elevated native folk dance to its highest
stage of development.
7. Sionil Jose (Literature, 2001)
 One of the few living national artists, F. Sionil Jose is best known for creating the five-novel
masterpiece known as the Rosales saga: Poon; Tree; My Brother, My Executioner; The
Pretenders; and Mass. Set in the town of Rosales, Pangasinan, it talks about the five generations
of two families, the Samsons and the Asperri, during the Spanish and American occupation.
8. Lucracia R. Kasilag (Music, 1989)
 If you’re a fan of Filipino artists that blend Filipino ethnic and Western music, then you should
probably get to know Lucrecia R. Kasilag. An educator, composer, performing artist,
administrator, and cultural entrepreneur, she is seen as the pioneering figure for fusing Filipino
ethnic and Western music, helping elevate Filipino’s appreciation for music. Her best work is the
prize-winning Toccata for Percussions and Winds, Divertissement and Concertante, which
incorporates indigenous Filipino instruments.
The 7 Newly Awarded Artists in the Philippines
The Order of National Artists is the highest recognition given by the government to Filipinos who have
made significant contributions to the development of Philippine arts. The Philippine president names them
based on the recommendations of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the Cultural
Center of the Philippines (CCP).
The country’s 7 new National Artists are:
1. Larry Alcala, National Artist for Visual Arts
Editorial cartoonist and illustrator Alcala’s pen brought to life the cartoon series Slice of Life in the
Weekend Magazine, Mang Ambo in the Weekly Graphic, and Kalabog en Bosyo, the first comic strip
where characters spoke in Taglish. His many works portrayed the idiosyncracies of the Filipino,
especially our ability to laugh at ourselves in the face of great adversity, as personified in the character
of Mang Ambo. The two detectives in Kalabog en Bosyo were brought to the big screen and played
by comedians Dolphy and Panchito in a film by Sampaguita Pictures. Alcala died in 2002 at the age
of 75.
2. Amelia Lapeña Bonifacio, National Artist for Theater
For her work in writing plays, promoting children’s theater, and puppetry, Bonifacio has been called
the “Grande Dame of Southeast Asian Children’s Theater.” She has penned 40 plays, 20 books, and
30 stories, according to panitikan.ph, and was chairperson of the University of the Philippines’
 Creative Writing Program. She founded Teatrong Mulat ng Pilipinas, a children’s theater and puppetry
troupe based in UP.
3. Ryan Cayabyab, National Artist for Music
“Mr C” is perhaps the most famous Filipino composer in recent history. He has composed musical
scores for award-winning films, 10 full-length Filipino musicals, full-length ballets, a major opera,
and a plethora of songs, including beloved classics like “Tuwing Umuulan at Kapiling Ka” and “Da
Coconut Nut.” A force for original Pilipino music, he has spearheaded the Philippine Popular Music
Festival and served as judge in talent shows, like Philippine Idol and Philippine Dream Academy. He
leads the 7-member Ryan Cayabyab Singers.
4. Francisco ‘Bobby’ Mañosa, National Artist for Architecture
If Mañosa is a name unknown to you, the same likely cannot be said of his iconic works. The architect
known for his modern interpretation of Philippine architectural design and use of indigenous materials
is behind the Coconut Palace, world-famous Amanpulo Resort in Palawan, Pearl Farm in Samal Island,
Shangri-La Hotel in Mactan, and the San Miguel building in Mandaluyong, among others. For his
pioneering vision and promotion of indigenous Filipino architecture, Mañosa has garnered many
accolades, both locally and internationally.
5. Resil Mojares, National Artist for Literature
Mojares is a multi-awarded writer, historian, and literary critic. His works include Origins and Rise of
the Filipino Novel, The War Against the Americans, and books about eminent Filipinos, such as
Vicente Sotto, Pedro Paterno, Isabelo delos Reyes, and Trinidad Pardo de Tavera. He has won several
National Book Awards from the Manila Critics Circle and founded the Cebuano Studies Center, a
library and research center dedicated to Cebuano culture and history.
6. Ramon Muzones, National Artist for Literature
Muzones is the preeminent name in West Visayan fiction. He is best known for his Hiligaynon novel
Margosatubig: The Story of Salagunting, about a fictional Muslim state in Mindanao and the struggles
of its hero, Salagunting, to wrest it from the clutches of usurpers. A tale that combines intrigue,
romance, pre-colonial lore, fantasy, and adventure, it unfolded as a series in the Hiligaynon magazine
Yuhum. In 1989, he received the Gawad CCP para sa Sining, an award given every 3 years to artists
whose works have enriched their art form. His proclamation as National Artist is posthumous as
Muzones died in 1992.
7. Kidlat Tahimik, National Artist for Cinema
Widely regarded as the father of independent Philippine cinema, Kidlat Tahimik (real name: Eric de
Guia) is known for creating films that humorously but evocatively critique neocolonialism. A native
of Baguio City, Tahimik has garnered numerous international and local awards for his films. His first,
Perfumed Nightmare (1977), won the International Critics Award at the Berlin Film Festival. He has
gone on to inspire generations of Filipino filmmakers to forge on with their independent vision,
regardless of commercial considerations. In 2009, he received the UP Gawad Plaridel Award, the
University of the Philippines’ highest award recognizing achievements in media.
Activity – Chapter 4
Name: ________________________________________Course/Year: __________ Date: ___________
Choose one (1) artist from each category: GAMABA artists, National artists and Newly Awarded artists
in the Philippines. Write the name and paste a photo of your chosen artists in the 1st column, then search
for one (1) famous artwork/masterpiece of that artist and paste it in the 2nd column, and lastly write a
description about that certain artwork/masterpiece.

Name and Picture of Famous Artwork Description

an Artist
GAMABA artist

National artist

Newly Awarded artist