National Living Treasures honored

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino conferred Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (National Living Treasures) awards on two traditional artists during a ceremony in Malacañang on Thursday and said the government would follow their examples of excellence rather than the  “puwede na” (that will do) attitude.

The awardees were inabel weaver Magdalena Gamayo and gourd casque maker Teofilo Garcia. Gamayo is a native of Ilocos Norte while Garcia comes from Abra.

The President paid tribute to the awardees’ dedication to their crafts and, like the government, would not be content with work that was  “pwede na” or passable.

He said this was the key to development in the short span of time that he has been in office and this would still be the thrust of his administration to achieve inclusive growth.

Gamayo of Lumbaan, Pinili, Ilocos Norte started weaving when she was 15 years old. She is now 88 and is still weaving.

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) said her woven works display masterful workmanship, using techniques now rarely used.

She was honored for her work in safeguarding and promoting the traditional art of textile weaving.

Garcia, on the other hand, is the only one remaining in the art of making gourd casque or the tabungaw headgear.

The NCCA said the 71-year-old Garcia  “is a complete craftsman who executes all the phases of his craft production, from the planting of raw materials to the finishing of the tabungaw.”

“All of his works are handcrafted one-of-a-kind art pieces that reflect his mastery of various techniques and materials,” the NCCA said.

The award recipients are selected based on their contributions to the creation, growth and support of traditional arts in the Philippines.

The President said aside from the recognition, the two would receive benefits like pension and health insurance.

The Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan Award is the highest award given to traditional artists by the Philippine government.

To become an award recipient, the candidate must satisfy five criteria, namely, technical and creative skill, artistic quality, community tradition, artistic tradition and character and integrity.

In April 1992, the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan was established through Republic Act No. 7355. The NCCA, through the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan Committee, and an ad hoc panel of experts, conduct a search for the finest traditional artists of the land, adopting a program that will ensure the transfer of their skills to others and undertaking measures to promote a genuine appreciation about the Manlilikha ng Bayan.

As envisioned by RA 7355, the Manlilikha ng Bayan is a citizen engaged in any traditional art, uniquely Filipino, whose distinctive skills have reached a high level of technical and artistic excellence.

Among those present during the awarding rites were former first lady now 2nd District Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos, with Governor Imee Marcos of Ilocos Norte; Governor Kit Bersamin of Abra and Mayor Bonifacio Clemente of the town of Paoay; NCCA chairman Felipe de Leon and Elena Rivera Mirano, chair of the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan committee.

Past Manlilikha ng Bayan awardees include traditional weavers Lang Dulay and Salinta Manon, traditional performing artists Masino Intaray, Samaon Sulaiman and Uwang Mahadas, and Ginaw Bilog in the folk literature category.

Aquino cited the contributions of the two Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan awardees in preserving the country’s traditional arts which, he said, are vital to our national advancement.

The Chief Executive stressed that his administration would remain committed to preserve, maintain, secure and promote the country’s culture and the arts.

He said he would want the future to learn the crafts of the two awardees so they would not be forgotten and expressed hope that their masterpieces would be patronized.

He said that his government would continue to provide programs for the development of the country’s culture and arts, adding that his administration would also provide support to national artists.

The President likewise called on the Filipino people to support the works of local artists to preserve, maintain, secure and promote the country’s culture and the arts.