Gawad sa

Manlilikha ng
Bayan
(GAMABA)
 The Philippines also
honors artists who
are engaged in folk or
traditional arts and
who have reached a
high level of technical
skill and artistic
excellence. The
award is called
Manlilikha ng Bayan
(GAMABA), or
National Living
Treasures Award.
 The Categories are:

Folk architecture
Maritime transport
Weaving
Carving
Perorming arts
Literature
Graphic and plastic arts
Ornament
Textile or fiber art
Pottery
And other artistic expressions of
traditional cultures
This award was institutionalized
by 1992 Republic Act No. 7355,
with the NCCA in charge of its
implementation. The process of
awarding a GAMABA is similar
to that of the National Artists.
However, only NCCA’s ad hoc
panel of experts and reviewers
will screen and review the
nominations. They will then
submit the lists to the President
for proclamation.
Criteria
(1) the candidate is an inhabitant
of an indigenous cultural
community anywhere in the
Philippines that has preserved
indigenous customs, beliefs,
rituals and traditions;
 (2) must have engaged in a folk
art tradition that has been in
existence and documented for at
least 50 years;
(3) must have consistently performed
or produced works of superior and
distinctive quality over a significant
period;
(4) must possess a mastery of tools and
materials needed by the art, and must
have an established reputation in the
art as master and maker of works of
extraordinary technical quality; and
 (5) 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.
 There are also some
exceptions. A traditional
artist who possesses all the
qualities of a Manlilikha ng
Bayan candidate, but due to
age or infirmity can no
longer pass on the craft,
may still be recognized if:
(1) the candidate had
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) became instrumental in
the revitalization of his/her
community’s artistic
tradition,
(3) has passed on to
the other members of
the community skills
in the folk art for
which the community
is traditionally
known,
(4) the community
where s/he belongs
has recognized
him/her as master and
teacher of his/her
craft
 After having a prior
knowledge regarding the
criteria for national
artists and the GAMABA
awardees let’s try to
answer few questions.
 Search for Filipino world class or
international artists
1. What have you learned after researching
on these significant international artist?
2. How do you feel now that you have
learned much about the lives of these
artists?
3. If given the chance, would you follow the
art that these artists have promoted? If
yes, which of these arts would you most
likely want to develop?
4. How are you going to develop further
and promote the arts of these artists ?