Conferment Ceremony of the 2023 Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan 5/07/2025

Описание: Metropolitan Theater, City of Manila
May 7, 2025


Coinciding with the celebration of National Heritage Month, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. honors nine (9) traditional Filipino artists who have made significant contributions to the preservation of their respective local traditions during the 2023 Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan Conferment Ceremony at the Metropolitan Theater in the City of Manila on May 7, 2025.

Spearheaded by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), this event follows Proclamation No. 427, signed by President Marcos Jr., which recognizes the recipients of the 2023 Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan for their invaluable contributions to preserving local arts and traditions:

Adelita Romualdo Bagcal, an Ilocano master of Oral Traditions from Banna, Ilocos Norte, is recognized for her commitment to safeguarding and promoting the Dallot and other Ilocano oral traditions.

Abina Tawide Coguit, an Agusan Manobo embroiderer from La Paz, Agusan del Sur, is recognized for her commitment to safeguarding and promoting the Agusan Manobo suyam (embroidery) tradition.

Hadja Sakinur-ain Mugong Delasas, a Sama master of traditional dance from Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, is recognized for her commitment to safeguarding and promoting the Sama igal (dance) tradition.

Bundos Bansil Fara, a T'boli brasscaster from Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, is recognized for his commitment to safeguarding and promoting the T'boli temwel (brasscasting) tradition.

Marife Ravidas Ganahon, a Higaonon mat weaver from Malaybalay, Bukidnon, is recognized for her commitment to safeguarding and promoting the Higaonon Ikam (mat weaving) tradition.

Amparo Balansi Mabanag, a Ga'dang embroiderer from Paracelis, Mountain Province, is recognized for her commitment to safeguarding and promoting the Ga'dang manu'bak and ameru (beadworks and embroidery) traditions.

Samporonia Pagsac Madanlo, a Mandaya ikat weaver from Caraga, Davao Oriental, is recognized for her commitment to safeguarding and promoting the Mandaya dagmay (ikat weaving) tradition.

Barbara Kibed Ofong, a T'boli ikat weaver from Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, is recognized for her commitment to safeguarding and promoting the T'boli t'nalak (ikat weaving) tradition.

Rosie Godwino Sula, a T'boli chanter from Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, is recognized for her commitment to safeguarding and promoting the T'boli lingon (chanting) tradition.

The Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan or National Living Treasures Award is the highest state honor given to a Filipino in recognition of their outstanding work as traditional folk artists, established under Republic Act (R.A.) No. 7355 signed in 1992.

Recipients are recognized based on the following criteria:
Technical and creative skills, artistic quality
Nationally known transferred community tradition
Engaged in folk arts traditions that have been documented for at least 50 years
Character and integrity that command respect and admiration for the country

Awardees receive a commemorative plaque and/or medal, an initial grant of PhP200,000, a lifelong monthly stipend of PhP50,000, and medical and hospitalization benefits not exceeding PhP750,000 per year. They are entrusted with the responsibility to pass their knowledge to their communities and the future generations, promote their craft, and donate samples or copies of their work to the National Museum.

Since its inception, 16 individuals have been conferred the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan from 1993 to 2016.



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