Ninety-four (94) nominations spread over fourteen categories were accepted throughout the nomination period.

National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), through the Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan Committee, announced the formal closing of the nominations for the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan or GAMABA last November 30, 2015.

Ninety-four (94) nominations spread over fourteen categories were accepted throughout the nomination period. Among the categories are pottery, hat making, embroidery, carving, metal craft, wood craft, leather craft, intangible heritage, traditional performing arts, visual arts and weaving for four clusters – general, textile, basket and hats.

Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan or the National Living Treasures is the highest honor given by the state to traditional folk artists. It was institutionalized in 1992 through Republic Act No. 7355 or the Manlilikha ng Bayan Act which recognizes traditional folk artists and artisans who posses masterful skills and have transferred such to their respective communities. It is fourth in precedence among the orders and decorations that constitute the Honors of the Philippines and is equal in rank with the Order of National Artists.

To date, there are 13 GAMABA awardees from all over the country. They are Ginaw Bilog for Mangyan poetry; Masino Intaray for traditional Palawan music; Samaon Sulaiman for Maguindanaon music; Lang Dulay for T’boli textile weaving; Salinta Monon for Bagobo textile weaving; Darhata Sawabi for Tausug textile weaving;  Haja Amina Appi for Sama mat weaving; Alonzo Saclag for Kalinga music and dance; Federico Caballero for Sulod Bukidnon epic chanting; Uwang Ahadas for Yakan music; Eduardo Mutuc for Kapampangan metal craft; Teofilo Garcia for gourd casque making and Magdalena Gamayo for Ilokano abel weaving.

For more details on the nomination process and the Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan, please contact the Subcommission on Cultural Communities and Traditional Arts through numbers 527-2192 loc 304 and look for Ms. Dennese Victoria. For more information about this press release, please contact Mr. Rene Sanchez Napeñas, head of the NCCA Public Affairs and Information Office (PAIO) at 527-5529 or 0928-5081057. E-mail us at ncca.paio@gmail.com.