In celebration of Filipino artistry and craftsmanship, the third edition of Likha will showcase the country’s Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA) awardees in a special section featuring their exemplary achievements in the traditional arts.
Under R.A. 7355, the GAMABA or National Living Treasures Award is the highest state honor given to Filipinos in recognition of distinctive skills, technical and artistic excellence, and their work in passing on their practice to the present generation in their community with the same degree of technical and artistic competence.
Likha 3 pays tribute to the GAMABA awardees and their contribution to the nation’s cultural heritage and invites the public to visit and experience their exceptional talent and mastery of skills through their work on display.
On top of the list is Manlilikha ng Bayan Magdalena Gamayo from Pinili, Ilocos Norte. Her Inabel is one of the finest with remarkable high thread count and combination of five colors incorporated in intricate patterns. At 99, Gamayo still manages to weave Inabel and teaches her techniques and patterns to weavers in the community. A valuable part of the Ilocano culture, the Inabel is appreciated for its ceremonial and practical uses and is well known for its durability and aesthetic appeal.
Also hailing from Ilocos is Manlilikha ng Bayan Teofilo Garcia, who is recognized for his talent in transforming tabungaw (gourd) into kattukong, an embellished headgear. Kattukong serves as both an ornamental and ceremonial piece in their community’s cultural and ceremonial rituals. Garcia’s work is a testament to his art and discipline in creating the carefully molded, intricately lined, and decorated kattukong.
Manlilikha ng Bayan Marife Ganahon is a mat weaver from Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. Mat weaving is deeply rooted in the cultural heritage of the Higaonon people.The mats or ikam are made of sodsod (grass) and serve multiple purposes such as for sleeping, sitting, and a piece for ceremonial activities. With decades of experience in weaving, Ganahon is known for her refined mats produced from her continuous practice and drive for excellence.
For her mastery of the intricate art of Inabal weaving, Salinta Monon was recognized as a Manlilikhan ng Bayan. Inabal is the textile produced through the abaca-ikat technique, the weaving tradition of the Bagobo Tagabawa people. Her dedication and commitment to abaca-ikat are significant in sustaining this traditional art form.
The T’boli people from South Cotabato have several Living National Treasures awardees for their distinctive skills in abaca-ikat and brass casting.
Manlilikha ng Bayan Lang Dulay is known for her exceptional skills in weaving T’nalak. She was renowned for intricately conjuring a multitude of patterns, including the most intricate ones like bulinglongit and various adaptations of banggala.
Another Manlilikha ng Bayan recognized for her remarkable artistry and mastery of the abaca-ikat technique expressed in T’nalak is Barbara Ofong. She is continuously producing the highest possible quality of T’nalak for more than 50 years.
Manlilikha ng Bayan Bundos Fara has dedicated his life to practice the art of Temwel. His unique process involves manipulating fire, metals, and asphalt to mold them into various shapes using a clay model, producing both traditional designs and groundbreaking masterpieces.
The Blaan community is also known for its exceptional skill in abaca-ikat textile weaving. By using locally sourced abaca fibers and natural dyes, weavers produce intricate textiles with unique ikat patterns that demonstrate their artistry, creativity, and strong connection to their ancestral traditions. In the Blaan community, Manlilikha ng Bayan Yabing Masalon Dulo is renowned as the last master weaver who is highly regarded for her intricate designs and exquisite beauty.
Another traditional art form practiced by the Blaan community is mat weaving. They use natural fibers from romblon leaves and weave sturdy and intricately designed mats. Manlilikha ng Bayan Estelita Bantilan is known for weaving mats with intricate patterns and custom color combinations. Bantilan uses her entire body as her “loom” to create masterpieces, a common practice by mat weavers in the Blaan community.
Alongside the GAMABA awardees, the Likha 3 grand exhibit also put the spotlight on 87 artisans to help promote and help Philippine traditional arts.
The Likha 3 exhibition is open to the public from June 7 to 11, 2024, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the PICC Forum Tent 2 and 3 in Pasay City.