Gawad sa Manlilikha ng

Bayan
• National Living Treasures RA 7355
• How does this law recognize the National Treasure Awardees?
• What are the qualifications to become a National Treasure
Awardee?
Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan
 It is unfortunate to say that many Philippine traditional
arts and crafts are disappearing. Even in this fast-paced
world, knowing and preserving Filipino heritage is crucial.
By knowing the arts and culture of their ancestors.,
Filipinos in turn learn more about themselves and each
other. Some artists are recognized for being vessels of
cultural knowledge. They are credited for keeping alive
the rich cultural traditions of the Philippines.
 One such way of keeping traditions ablaze is by honoring
those artists who keep the tradition alive by practicing
and teaching the younger generation about indigenous
arts.
Republic Act No. 7355 (The Manlilikha Bayan Act)

 Is the law created the National Living Treasures Award or Gawad sa Manlilikha
ng Bayan in April, 1992.
 Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA) is an award given to the best
traditional artists of the Philippines who are at the forefront of the practice,
preservation, and promotion of the nation’s traditional folk arts.
 Manlilikha ng bayan s the term used to refer to a person who has received the
GAMABA.
 The main objective of the award is to honor and support traditional folk
artists and see to it that their skills and crafts are preserved.
 NCCA (National Commission for Culture and the Arts)- are tasked with the
administration and implementation of the award.
How does this law recognize the
National Treasure Awardees?
 Process
 1. The Panel – composed of a representative from each of the committees of the sub commission on
Cultural Communities and Traditional Arts, such as the Office of the Muslim Affairs (OMA), the National
Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), and other appropriate institutions. The ad hoc panel of
reviewers is composed of five members of the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan Committee and four
individuals identified by the Committee among scholars, practitioners and experts in the traditional
arts.
 2. The Nominations – Nominations came from the members of the ad hoc panel of experts, the sub
commissions on cultural communities and traditional arts, government and private institutions,
universities, and other persons knowledgeable of any but not limited to the following categories of
traditional folk arts, namely, folk architecture, maritime transport, weaving, carving, performing arts,
literature, graphic and plastic arts, ornament, textile or fiber art, pottery, and other artistic expressions
of traditional culture.
 3. The Screening – The ad hoc search committees are deployed to various priority areas in the country to
conduct searches and document the candidates’ art or craft. The ad hoc panel of reviewers re-evaluates
the qualifications of the candidates and submits recommendations to the NCCA Board of Commissioners.
Once selected, the President of the Philippines confers the awardees in a public ceremony in
Malacanang Palace.
Awards and Incentives

 The awardee receives a specially designed medallion (emblem) or

plaque, with a duplicate set that should be donated to and displayed
in a provincial museum or the largest cultural center in the awardee’s
community.
 The awardee is given an initial grant of Php 100,000 and a Php 14,000
lifetime stipend per month.
 The awardee is granted a maximum cumulative amount of Php
750,000 medical and hospitalization benefits as well as funeral
assistance similar to those received by the National Artist.
CRITERIA
A. Should be a Filipino citizen or group of citizens belonging to an indigenous or
traditional cultural community anywhere in the Philippines, engaged in
Filipino traditional art in the following categories: folk architecture, maritime
transport, weaving, carving, performing arts, literature, graphic and plastic
arts, ornament, textile or fiber art, pottery, and other artistic expressions of
traditional culture.
B. Should have been engaged in the tradition and craft for a significant period of
time with at least 50 years of existence and documentation.
C. Should have produced and performed of artistic, distinctive, and superior
quality
D. Should possess mastery of the tools and materials that are needed for the art
and must have a reputation for being an art master and craft maker in the
community where he/she belongs
E. Should have passed on and/or will pass on the traditional crafts and skills to
other members of the community by virtue of teaching
Activity 1
Create an infographic poster or
presentation on the process and
criteria of becoming a National
Living Treasure.