An Envisioned in Republic Act No.

7355
Known as Manlilikha ng Bayan Act was established in 1992 and shall mean
citizen engaged in any traditional art uniquely Filipino, whose distinct skills have
reached such a high level of technical and artistic excellence, and have pass it on to
in his or her community with the same degree of technical and artistic competence.

National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA)

The Highest policy and coordinating body for culture and the arts of the
state. It has to search for the finest traditional artist of the land who adopts a
program that will ensure the transfer of their skills to others, undertakes measures
to promote a genuine appreciate of and crafts and give pride among our people
about the geniuses of Manlilikha ng Bayan.

THE GAWAD MANLILIKHA NG BAYAN (GAMABA) AWARDEES

1993
Awardee Contribution Region
Ginaw Bilog Surat Mangyan and Panaytayan, Mansalay,
Ambahan Poetry Oriental Mindoro,
Region IV-B
MIMAROPA
Masino Intaray Epic Chanter and Story Pala’wan, Palawan
Teller Island, Region IV-B
MIMAROPA
Samaon Salaiman Playing Kudyapi Mamasapano,
Maguidanao, Western
Mindanao
Bangsamoro
Autonomous Region in
Muslim Mindanao
(BARMM)

1998
Awardee Contribution Region
Lang Dulay T’nalak Weaving T’boli/Lake Sebu, South
 Cotabato, Mindanao,
Region XII
SOCCSKSARGEN
Salinta Monon Inabal Weaving Tagabawa
Bagobo/Bansalan, Davao
Del Sur, Region XI
Davao Region

2000
Awardee Contribution Region
Uwang Ahadas Playing Yakan Yakan/ Lamitan, Basilan
Instruments Island,
Bangsamoro
Autonomous Region in
Muslim Mindanao
(BARMM)
Federico Caballero Chanting the Sugidanon Sulod-Bukidnon/Calinog,
Epic of the Panay Iloilo, Panay Island,
Bukidnon Region VI
Western Visayas
Alonzo Saclag Playing Kalinga Musical Kalinga, Northern Luzon
Instruments Island, Cordillera
Administrative Region
(CAR)

2004
Awardee Contribution Region
Hajja Amina Appi Mat Weaving Ungos Matata, Tandubas,
Tawi-Tawi, Bangsamoro
Autonomous Region in
Muslim Mindanao
(BARMM)
Eduardo Mutuc Metal Plating Apalit, Pampanga,
Region III Central Luzon
Darhata Sawabi Pis syabit Weaving Tausug/Parang, Sulu,
Bangsamoro
Autonomous Region in
Muslim Mindanao
 (BARMM)

2012
Awardee Contribution Region
Magdalena Gamayo Abel Weaving Pinili, Ilocos Norte
Region I Ilocos Norte
Teofilo Garcia Kattukong or Tabungaw San Quintin, Abra,
Hat Making Cordillera Administrative
Region (CAR)

2016
Awardee Contribution Region
Ambalang Ausulin Yakan Weaving Lamitan, Basilan Island,
Bangsamoro
Autonomous Region in
Muslim Mindanao
(BARMM)
Estelita Bantilan B’laan Mat Weaving Upper Lasang, Sapu
Masla, Malapatan,
Saranggani
Region XII
SOCCSKSARGEN
Yabing Masalon Dulo B’laan Ikat or Tie-dye Amguo, Landan,
Fabric Weaving Polomolok, South
Cotabato
Region XII
SOCCSKSARGEN

GAMABA’s EMBLEM

The award logo is a representation of the

human form used in traditional cloth. Below the
logo is the phrase “Manlilikha ng Bayan” written
in Baybayain, an ancient Filipino script.
CRITERIA
 To become a Manlilikla ng Bayan, an individual or group candidate must:
a. Possess a mastery of tools and materials needed for the traditional, folk art
and be a maker of works of extraordinary technical quality.
b. Have consistently produced works of superior quality over significant
period.
c. Have engaged in a traditional and folk art which has been in existence and
documented for at least fifty (50) years.
d. Command respect and inspire admiration of the country with his character
and integrity.
e. Must have transferred and/or willing to transfer to other members of the
community the skills in the traditional and folks arts for which the
community has become nationally known.
f. However, a candidate who, due to age or infirmity, has left him/her/them
incapable of teaching further his/her/their craft, may still be recognized
provided that he/she/they must possess the qualifications as enumerated
above.

BENEFITS AND PRIVILEGES OF AN AWARDEE

a. The rank and title of Manlilikha ng Bayan, as proclaimed by the President of
the Philippines in accordance with Executive Order No. 236 or Honors Code
of the Philippines.
b. The GAMABA gold-plated medallion minted by the Bangko Sentral ng
Pilipinas (BSP) and citation.
c. A lifetime emolument and materials and physical benefits comparable in
value to those received by the highest officers of the land such as;
 A minimum cash award of Two Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 200,000/00),
net of taxes
 A minimum lifetime personal monthly stipend of Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php
50,000,00).
 Medical and hospitalization benefits not exceeding Php.750,000.00 per year.

d. A state funeral, the arrangements for and the expenses of which shall be
borne by the government, upon the death of the Manlilikha ng Bayan; and
e. A pace of honor, in line with prolocol precedence, in state functions,
national commemoration ceremonies and all other cultural presentations.