GAMABA Awardees and Nominees
1. Ginaw Bilog (1993).
* A native of Oriental Mindoro who faithfully helps preserved the Hanunuo Mangyan
script and their Ambahan poetry.
* Pres. Fidel V. Ramos conferred the National Living Treasure Award to Ginaw Bilog on
December 17, 1993 in recognition of his people’s preservation efforts of the ambahan
poetry which is recorded on bamboo.
2. Masino Intaray (1993).
* Intaray was a Filipino poet, bard artist and musician who exemplary shared his skills in
basal or gong music ensemble. He is a musician and epic chanter (Kulilal and Bagit).
* He is also known for playing multiple indigenous instruments namely the basal (gong),
aroding (mouth harp), and the babarak (ring flute).
* Basal- is a kind of musical ensemble played during the tambilaw (offering to the Lord of
Rice); a rice wine drinking ceremony.
* Kulilal- a lyric poem about love being sung to the accompaniment of kusyapi, two-
stringed lute, and pagang bamboo zither.
* Bagit- is an instrumental music reflecting the sound and movement of nature.
3. Samaon Sulaiman (1993). A Maguindanao of Mama SaPano who showed outstanding
artistry and dedication to his chosen instrument, the Magindanao kutyapi.
4. Lang Dulay (1998). A T'boli of Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, for her skills in weaving the
abaca ikat cloth known as t'nalak.
5. Salinta Monon (1998). A Tagabawa-Bagobo of Bansalan, Davao del for fully
demonstrating her creative and expressive aspects of the Bagobo abaca ikat weaving
called inabal.
What’s the difference between T’nalak weaving and Inabal Weaving?
T'nalak Design:
Origin: T'nalak comes from the T'boli people of Lake Sebu in South Cotabato, Mindanao.
Material: T'nalak is made from abaca fibers, also known as Manila hemp, which are
meticulously processed, dyed, and woven by hand.
Design: T'nalak designs are characterized by intricate geometric patterns, often featuring
zigzags, diamonds, and other geometric shapes. These designs are derived from the
dreams and visions of the T'boli weavers' ancestors, particularly from the legendary
dreamweaver Fu Dalu.
Symbolism: Each T'nalak design holds symbolic meaning for the T'boli people,
representing elements of their cosmology, myths, and natural surroundings.
Inabel Design:
Origin: Inabel originates from the Ilocos region in Northern Luzon, particularly among the
Ilocano people.
Material: Inabel is traditionally woven using locally sourced cotton threads, although
modern variations may incorporate other fibers.
Design: Inabel designs vary widely, ranging from geometric patterns to floral motifs and
abstract representations of nature. These designs often reflect the weaver's creativity and
may draw inspiration from traditional Ilocano symbols, folklore, and everyday life.
Techniques: Inabel weaving often employs a technique called "binakul" or "patadyong,"
which involves intricate weaving patterns achieved through the use of different-colored
threads and supplementary weft techniques.

In summary, while both T'nalak and inabel are traditional handwoven fabrics from the
Philippines, they originate from different indigenous communities and exhibit distinct
design aesthetics, materials, and techniques. T'nalak is known for its geometric patterns
inspired by T'boli cosmology, while inabel features a wide range of designs influenced by
Ilocano culture and creativity.