President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. proclaimed nine new Filipino traditional artists as 2023 “National Living Treasures” last Dec. 15.
Malacañang recognized nine artists for their “commitment to safeguarding and promoting” the respective cultural heritage and resources of their provinces.
Among the newly declared “Manlilikha ng Bayan” are Adelita Romualdo Bagcal for Ilocano oral traditions, Abina Tawide Coguit for Agusan Manobo embroidery, and Sakinur-ain Mugong Delasa for the Sama dance.
Additionally, other artists are Marife Ravidas Ganahon for the Higaonon mat weaving, Amparo Balansi Mabanag for the Ga’dang beadworks and embroidery, and Samporonia Pagsac Madanlo for the Mandaya textile weaving.
Barbara Kibed Ofong, Rosie Godwino Sula, and Bundos Bansil Fara are acknowledged for their artistic excellence in the T’boli heritage, such as textile weaving, chanting tradition, and brasscasting, respectively.
The Gawad ng Manlilikha ng Bayan, created under Republic Act No. 7355, “is the highest State recognition for the finest traditional and folk artists whose distinctive skills have reached such a high level of technical and artistic excellence,” according to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). Brian Campued