Lesson 6 – National Living

Treasures Award and the List

of the recipients from the
different Art form
National Living Treasures Award
 In 1992, the Philippine government enacted Republic Act 7355 which
institutionalized the National Living Treasures Award or also known as “Gawad
sa Manlilikha ng Bayan,”
 Through this, it conducts the search for the finest traditional artists of the land,
adopts a program that will ensure the transfer of their skills to others, and
undertakes measures to promote a genuine appreciation of and instill pride among
our people about the genius of the Manlilikha ng Bayan
 The recipients of this great national honor are exemplary individuals whose life,
works, and identity are described as part of our national character
National Living Treasures Award
 NCCA cited, “as Filipinos, they bring age-old customs, crafts and ways of living
to the attention and appreciation of Filipino life
 A recipient of the award is generally described as “a citizen 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 generation in his/her community with the same degree of
technical and artistic competence.”
Guidelines in identifying the Manlilikha ng Bayan

A. He or 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 influenced it
B. He or She must have engaged in a folk art tradition that has been in
existence and documented for at least 50 years
C. He or She must have consistently performed or produced, over a
significant period, works of superior and distinctive quality
D. He or She 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
E. He or 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.
National Living Treasures for Literature
 During pre-colonial times, there were many epics and folk tales that circulated in
the country
In the island of Luzon, the Ifugaos had the Hudhud – consists of narrative chants
traditionally performed by the Ifugao community
The Ilocanos had Biag ni Lam-ang – is an epic replete with events that depict the
whirlwind as a necessary weapon of the hero in battling his adversaries
From the Visayas is the Hinilawod – an epic poem about the story of the exploits of
three Suludnon demigod brothers
From Mindanao is the Darangan - an ancient epic song that encompasses a wealth of
knowledge of the Maranao people who live in the Lake Lanao region of Mindanao
National Living Treasures for Literature
National treasure from Mansalay, Oriental
Mindoro, who incessantly record the Ambahan
poetry – which made up of seven-syllable lines
used to communicate messages through
metaphors and imagery. It is sung and contains
various messages ranging from advice, to
courtship, and to farewell
His contribution to Philippine Art is through
the preservation of this ancient form of literature
Year awarded: 1993
National Living Treasures for Literature
Epic chanter from Calinog, Iloilo, persistently
works for the documentation of Oral Literature.
His contribution is in the recording of the dying
oral tradition of epics and able to document 10
epics in a language that is no longer spoken.
He makes every effort to dispense justice in the
society through his work as a Manughusay, and
his work makes the rich tradition of the epic
available to scholars as well as its contemporary
Year Awarded: 2000
National Living Treasures for Performance

 Folk performances are still being practiced in the country, various tribes and
indigenous groups are still using ancient musical instruments in performing
rituals
 Despite the threats of media and globalization, Filipinos still perform folk dances
and songs as part of exercising their cultural identity and heritage
 The National Living Treasures Award recognizes Filipinos who show distinctive
skills and have achieved exceptional artistic excellence.
National Living Treasures for Performance
A native of Makagwa Valley in Brookes Point,
Palawan
Not just an exceptional poet but also a
musician, an epic chanter, and a storyteller
His unparalleled creative talent, clear intellect,
powerful memory, and profound spiritually
allowed him to chant majestically countless
tuturan (myths), tultul (epics), and sudsungit
(narratives)
Year Awarded: 1993
National Living Treasures for Performance

A master and teacher of Kudyapi in Libutan

and other barangays of Maganoy town
Maguindanao
Highly skilled in handling other Philippine
traditional instruments such as the kulintang,
agong, gandingan, palendag, and tambul
His contribution to Philippine culture and arts
was through his dedication in teaching how to
play the kudyapi
He was also an imam in the Libutan Mosque
Year Awarded: 1993
National Living Treasures for Performance

A native from Lubugan, Kalinga, a master of

dance and the performing arts
The Kalinga people take pride in his
incredible skills and talent
His contribution to folk art and culture is in
heading the establishment of the prestigious
Kalinga Buding Dance Troupe, through the
group’s performances Kalinga music and
dance continue to inspire contemporary artists
Year Awarded: 2000
National Living Treasures for Performance

Uwang Ahadas belongs to the Yakan, an

indigenous tribe with high reverence to instrumental
music as it is related to life and agricultural cycles,
and social undertakings
He has near-blindness, but this disability does not
hinder him from honing his craft
Ahadas was a hands-on teacher to fascinated and
dedicated individuals who wish to learn to play
yakan instruments
Year Awarded: 2000
National Living Treasures for Crafts
 Almost every Filipino appreciates the colorful and intricate tapestry and
textiles that are hung in homes, grand hallways, and lobbies
 Many tourist destinations showcase traditional crafts for local and foreign
tourists
 From carving to weaving, to shell inlay to leather embossing to up cycling,
the Philippines showcase its rich and colorful craft heritage through a
showcase of hometown handcrafted pieces by passionate Filipino
craftsmen whose skills have been passed on through generations of
artisans during the 60th Manila FAME.
National Living Treasures for Crafts
A master weaver, started honing her skills at
the young age of 12
Famous for using traditional Filipino materials
such as abaca fibers weaved into T’nalak cloth
Widely known for her distinct designs such as
Kabangi, Bankiring, and Bulinglangit
The weaving of Lang Dulay and her people
inspired the 2014 Cinemalaya film K’na
Dreamweaver
Year Awarded: 1998
National Living Treasures for Crafts
A very talented weaver who used the abaca-
ikat weaving, or weaving using fiber from abaca
plant to create very detailed ornate designs
The binuwaya is considered to be Monon’s
beloved design, which was the most difficult to
weave
Monon’s contribution to contemporary art was
her dedication and perseverance in creating
weaving that represented the Bagobo culture
Year Awarded: 1998
National Living Treasures for Crafts
Was a textile weaver from the humble
barangay of Parang in Jolo, Sulu. She was a
Tausug famous for the Pis Syabit – a
challenging textile to weave
Also a teacher, sharing her knowledge with the
women n her community
Believed in the importance of handing town to
the next generation of weavers the art of
traditional weaving
Year Awarded: 2005
National Living Treasures for Crafts
An exceptional Filipino sculptor who works with
silver, bronze, and wood, crafting religious and
layman artworks
His works are more than simply ornamental, for his
masterpieces add charm and luxury to every home
and monument
His contribution to contemporary art is in his rich
craftsmanship that graces the places of worship of
many Filipino faithful
Year Awarded: 2005
National Living Treasures for Crafts
A member of the Sama indigenous community,
a master mat weaver from the small community
of Ungos Matata, Tandubas, Tawi-Tawi
Highly esteemed throughout her community
for her distinctive designs and the refinement of
her sasa and kima-kima
The art making within the Sama community is
assigned and restricted to the women, it was
featured in Brillante Mendoza’s film Thy Womb
Year Awarded: 2005
National Living Treasures for Crafts
A master artisan, farmer, and innovator from
San Quintin, Abra
Recognized for his beautifully crafted casque or
tabungaw – distinctive and functional headpiece
His contirbution to contemporary arts is the
integration of his craft in Abra’s harvest festival
Year Awarded: 2012
National Living Treasures for Crafts
An Ilocano textile weaver of the abel, the
traditional blanket.
Her works are of the finest quality, using very
high thread count and incorporating intricate
designs. She mastered the traditional patterns
of sinan-sabong (flowers), kusikos (spirals),
and the binakol inuritan (geometric)
Her exemplary craftsmanship contributes to
contemporary art as the weaving tradition in
Ilocos continues to flourish
Year Awarded: 2012
 Activity 2
 Research one visual artwork done by our very own Filipino
National Artist. You will create a visual artwork inspired by
your chosen artwork.

Rubrics:
Composition – 40
Creativity – 40
Work Quality – 20
Total: 100 pts.