Maribeth Bantilan Farnazo, former Indigenous Peoples Development Program (IPDP) Manager, of Sarangani Province nominated Bai Estelita "Labnai" Bantilan for the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA) or the National Living Treasures Award. She is one of the 2016 GAMABA Awardees. "Whereas, Estelita Tumandan Bantilan, a Blaan mat weaver from Malapatan, Sarangani Province, is recognized for her commitment to the safeguarding and the promotion of the Blaan igem (mat weaving) tradition." - President Duterte's Proclamation No. 126 series of 2017 signed on January 6, 2017
"In April 1992, the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan or the National Living Treasures Award was institutionalized through Republic Act No. 7355. Tasked with the administration and implementation of the Award is the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the highest policy-making and coordinating body for culture and the arts of the State. The NCCA, through the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan Committee and an Ad Hoc Panel of Experts, conducts the search for the finest traditional artists of the land, adopts a program that will ensure the transfer of their skills to others and undertakes measures to promote a genuine appreciation of and instill pride among our people about the genius of the Manlilikha ng Bayan." - http://ncca.gov.ph/about-culture-and-arts/culture-profile/gamaba/
Photo credit: Cocoy A. Sexcion
"In April 1992, the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan or the National Living Treasures Award was institutionalized through Republic Act No. 7355. Tasked with the administration and implementation of the Award is the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the highest policy-making and coordinating body for culture and the arts of the State. The NCCA, through the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan Committee and an Ad Hoc Panel of Experts, conducts the search for the finest traditional artists of the land, adopts a program that will ensure the transfer of their skills to others and undertakes measures to promote a genuine appreciation of and instill pride among our people about the genius of the Manlilikha ng Bayan." - http://ncca.gov.ph/about-culture-and-arts/culture-profile/gamaba/
Photo credit: Cocoy A. Sexcion