The contemporary in traditional

art: Gawad sa manlilikha ng

bayan (GAMABA)

LESSON 4
How does tradition become contemporary, and
the contemporary traditional?

Philippine traditional art, based on long-

standing, established practices, has always
been contemporary in a sense that is art
being made now, and that it persists as part
of a continuing performance of tradition.
What is the 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 fro 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.”
GAMABA Awardees

WEAVING

LANG DULAY From Lake Sebo; Tinalak weavingSlide

5

SALINTA MONON From Tagabawa Bagobo/ Bansalan, Inabal weaving

Davao del Sur, southeastern
Mindanao island, southern
Philippines

DARHATA SAWABI Tausug/ parang, sulu, southern Pis siyabit weaving

Philippines

HAJA AMINA APPI From Sama/ Tabdubas, Tawi-Tawi,

southern Philippines Mat weaving

MAGDALENA Ilocano/ Pinili, Ilocos Norte, NEXTSlid

GAMAYO northern Luzon island, northern Inabel weaving
e9
Philippines
TINALAK

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INABAL

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PIS SAYABIT

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INABEL

NEXTSlid
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LITERATURE AND PERFORMING ARTS

GINAW BILOG From Hanunoo mangyan/ Mansalay, oriental Surat mangyan and ambahan
Mindoro, Central Philippines poetry

Lyrical poems (kulilal, absal, and

Pala’wan/ Brookes Point, Palawan island, bagit) and playing their accompanying
MASINO INTARAY central Philippines instruments; epic chanting and
storytelling

Maguindanao/ Mama sa Pano, Magiundanao, Playing the kudyapi

SAMAON SULAIMAN
western Mindanao island, southern Philippines

Kalinga/ Lubuagan, Kalinga, Northern Luzon Playing Kalinga musical

ALONZO SACLAG
island, central Philippines instruments; dance patterns and
movements associated with rituals

FEDERICO CABALLERO Sulod Bukidnon/ Calinog, Iloilo, Panay Island, Chanting the sugidanon epic of the
central Philippines Panay Bukidnon

UWANG AHADAS Yakan/ Lamitan, Basilan island, southern Playing Yakan musical instruments
Philippines
What is the
significance or
importance or
kahalagahan of the
gamaba
PLASTIC ARTS

EDUARDO MUTUC Kapampangan/ apalit Silver plating of

Pampanga, central religious and secular
Luzon island, northern art
Philippines

TEOFILO GARCIA Ilocano/ san qiuntin,

Gourd casque making
abra, northern Luzon
island, northern
Philippines
GOURD
CASQUE

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SILVER
PLATING OF
RELIGIOUS
AND SECULAR
ARTS

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THANK YOU
FOR
LISTENING