GAMABA

15 GAMABA (Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan) Awardees (1993-2016)

What is GAMABA?

●​ Recognizes Filipino traditional artists who preserve and develop cultural heritage.
●​ Given to artists excelling in conventional arts, contributing to national identity and diversity.

Awardees by Year

1993:

1.​ Ginaw Bilog (d. 2003) – Surat Mangyan & Ambahan Poetry
○​ Hanunuo Mangyan from Panaytayan, Oriental Mindoro (Region IV-B
MIMAROPA).
○​ Preserved the Hanunuo Mangyan script and Ambahan poetry (seven-syllable
lines).
○​ Promoted Ambahan to keep it alive for future generations.
2.​ Masino Intaray (d. 2013) – Epic Chanter, Storyteller, and Musician
○​ Pala’wan from Palawan, Palawan Island (Region IV-B MIMAROPA).
○​ Mastered basal (gong music), kulilal (lyrical poem), and bagit (instrumental
music).
○​ Skilled in aroding (mouth harp) and babarak (ring flute).
3.​ Samaon Sulaiman (d. 2011) – Kutiyapi (Kudyapi) Player
○​ Maguindanaon from Mamasapano, Maguindanao (BARMM).
○​ Achieved mastery in playing the kutiyapi (a two-stringed lute.)
○​ Also proficient in kulintang, agong (suspended bossed gong with wide rim),
gandingan (bossed gong with narrow rim), palendag (lip-valley flute), and
tambul.

1998:

4.​ Lang Dulay (d. 2015) – T’nalak Weaving

○​ T’boli from Lake Sebu, South Cotabato (Region XII SOCCSKSARGEN).
○​ Preserved T’nalak weaving using abaca fibers, with designs of crocodiles,
butterflies, and flowers.
○​ Red, black, and natural colors.
○​ Bulinglangit (Clouds), Bankiring (Hair Bangs), and Kabangi (Butterfly)
5.​ Salinta Monon (d. 2009) – Inabal Weaving
○​ Bagobo from Bansalan, Davao del Sur (Region XI Davao).
○​ Mastered the Bagobo abaca ikat (to tie or bond) weaving called inabal
(traditional textile of Bagobo).
○​ Binuwaya - First Pattern
○​ BFF of Lang Dulay

2000:

6.​ Uwang Ahadas – Yakan Instrumentalist

○​ Yakan from Lamitan, Basilan (BARMM).
○​ Expert in playing Yakan musical instruments (made of bamboo, wood, and metal)
like gabbang, kulintang, agong, and kwintangan kayu.
○​ Despite his visual impairment, he continues to teach younger generations.
7.​ Federico Caballero – Chanting Sugidanon Epics of the Panay Bukidnon
○​ Sulod-Bukidnon from Calinog, Iloilo (Region VI Western Visayas).
○​ Works on preserving ten oral epics of the Panay Bukidnon people.
○​ Language: Kinaray-a
8.​ Alonzo Saclag – Kalinga Musical Instruments
○​ Kalinga from Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
○​ Expert in playing Kalinga instruments and performing ritual dances.
○​ Kalinga Budol Dance Troupe (8 Medals)

2004:

9.​ Hajja Amina Appi (d. 2013) – Master Mat Weaving

○​ Sama from Tawi-Tawi, BARMM.
○​ Mastered colorful woven mats with geometric patterns.
10.​Eduardo Mutuc – Metal Plating & Religious/Secular Art
○​ Kapampangan from Apalit, Pampanga (Region III Central Luzon).
○​ Creates intricate retablos, altars, and carosas in silver, bronze, and wood.
○​ 29 years old (3 pesos before from farming).
11.​Darhata Sawabi (d. 2005) – Pis Syabit Weaving
○​ Tausug from Sulu, BARMM.
○​ Specialized in pis syabit (traditional Tausug) textile known for geometric designs.

2012:

12.​Magdalena Gamayo – Abel Weaving

○​ Ilocano from Pinili, Ilocos Norte (Region I Ilocos).
○​ Master of abel weaving, creating patterns like inubon a sabong (string of
flowers).
○​ A unique weaving technique called "pinilian" is used (partially).
13.​Teofilo Garcia – Kattukong or Tabúngaw Hat Making
○​ Ilocano from San Quintin, Abra (CAR).
○​ Crafts Kattukong hats (made from Tabúngaw, which is an Ilocano term for úpo)
using a method learned from his grandfather.
○​ 15 Years Old when he started.

2016:

14.​Ambalang Ausalin – Yakan Weaving

○​ Yakan from Lamitan, Basilan (BARMM).
○​ Expert in all Yakan textile designs, including suwah bekkat (Cross-stitch) and
suwah pendan (Embroidery) techniques.
15.​Estelita Tumandan Bantilan – B’laan Mat Weaving
○​ B’laan from Sarangani, Region XII SOCCSKSARGEN.
○​ Mastered mat weaving using pandanus romblon (pandanus copelandii),
incorporating intricate patterns.
○​ “Princess”
16.​Yabing “Fu Yabing” Masalon Dulo – B’laan Ikat Weaving
○​ B’laan from South Cotabato, Region XII SOCCSKSARGEN.
○​ Learned weaving at 14 Years Old, mastered tie-dye fabric weaving, and passed it to
younger generations.
Techniques and Performance Practices Applied to Contemporary Arts
-​ The Philippines is known to be rich in natural resources.
-​ Filipinos use their creativity to use knowledge, feelings, and ways of life.

Technique
-​ Art is always created with a technique.
-​ The way the artist uses and manipulates the materials to express an idea or feeling through art.
-​ Local Material.

Techniques Used in Contemporary Arts

A.​ Application of Traditional Techniques to Contemporary Arts

1.​ Puni (Bulacan) 3.​ Saniculas (Pampanga)

●​ During the time of our late heroes, Polvoron Molder
“puni” was the most popular art in -​ This kitchen tool can help you mold
Bulacan. the powder for polvoron into perfectly
Straw Folding Origami oval or round shapes.
-​ Origami means “folding,” and kami -​ Patron of kids
means “paper.” -​ Penecillos de San Nicolas or Pan San
-​ Origami is the art of paper folding Nicolas
associated with Japanese culture. -​ Religious biscuit molder image of St.
-​ Coconut LEAVES Nicolas
2.​ Singkaban (Malolos, Bulacan) -​ Made only on Sep 10 with blessing
Bamboo Art 4.​ Pabalat (San Miguel, Bulacan)
-​ To be bamboo for decorations, it must Packaging
undergo processes such as cleaning, -​ The packaging design can be simple or
cutting, peeling, splitting, stripping, or colorful and complex.
weaving. -​ Known as borlas de pastillas or
-​ Employed by brothers Jeffrey and pastillas pabalat by Luz Ocampo
Gerry Eligio, grandsons of late master 5.​ Taka (Paete, Laguna)
of singkaban maker Francisco “Kiko” Paper Mache
Eligio, creates coiled effect. -​ Using mold, paper pieces or pulp are
-​ An ark that welcomes their guest put together with a glue or another
4 Patterns adhesive.
-​ Abaniko/Pamaypay: Fan-shaped -​ Wood carving of figures
bamboo on top of panels and headers. -​ Paete’s Taka
-​ Rayos/Bilog: Shaved bamboo sticks 6.​ Pagbuburda (Taal, Batangas and Lumban,
with nail ends Laguna)
-​ Bulakaykay: Prominent features of the Embroidery
singkaban poles -​ Boor-da or Burda is centuries old from
-​ Half Moon the missionaries during the early years
of the colonization by the Spanish.
-​ 1600s
-​ Pineapple plant fibers “piña fabric”
-​ Silk, cotton, or a abaca is the jusi
-​ Piña was the most expensive by
illustrados
Common Techniques in Contemporary Arts
1.​ Minimalism
-​ This is an artistic movement that seeks to remove the unnecessary and replace it with the essential.
Works of art that usually use this technique use well-selected material that is indispensable in art
production.
2.​ Found Objects
-​ Taking something that people seem to find useless and using it in a unique way to make artwork.
-​ When people seem to think that something must be thrown away as junk.
3.​ Large-Scale Art
-​ An art that accounts for the creation of something huge to express diverse perspectives in artwork.
-​ This art is created for public viewing.
Local Materials Used in Creating Art
“An artist would give much thought to the art materials that he or she can get and access from where or she is situated.
-​ An artist must be sensitive to selecting the right kind of art material and discriminate between what should be
used and what should not be.
-​ The appropriateness of an art material has a telling effect in the process of creating art.
-​ Having the right and appropriate art materials can bring out the best of the artist’s creativity.
A.​ Local and Indigenous Art Materials
Kinds of Local Art Materials
1.​ Abaca
-​ Called manila hemp
-​ Musa Textilis
-​ Found in Bicol Region and different regions of Mindanao
2.​ Coconut Shells or Bao
-​ Improvised cooking utensils
-​ Considered as almost the same as the quality and appearance of turquoise
shells
-​ Scientifically known as Cocos nucifera
-​ These shells are byproducts of coconut fruit processing.
3.​ Bamboo or Kawayan
-​ Bambusoideae of the grass family Poaceae
-​ Found almost throughout the archipelago, the bamboo stem has plenty of uses,
one of which is creating art.
4.​ Capiz or Kapis
-​ Come from the windowpane oyster
-​ A bivalve marine mollusk in the daily of Placunidae
-​ Abundant in the Philippines, found along coastal waters. Cleaned and processed
capiz shells are used for various artistic applications like windows, lanterns, and
walling
5.​ Rattan
-​ Calamoideae of climbing palms
-​ Used as furniture and handicrafts
-​ Grown in plantations in Western Visayas and Mindanao
6.​ Cowrie Shells
-​ Scientifically named Cypraea chinensis
-​ 2 centimeters each
-​ Used in shell jewelry and shell craft work.
-​ Popular for their vibrant color
-​ Found on sand sea floor around Philippine islands
 7.​ Junk
-​ Old or discarded articles
-​ Discarded materials stored or hidden away inside homes or thrown in garbage
bins are usually made up of plastic, wood, and metal
8.​ Dried Leaves
-​ Falling off branches of trees and plants
-​ Palm, pandanus, or sea grass leaves are used to create artistic mats or banig
9.​ Plant Seeds
-​ Corn, sorghum, mung beans, sunflower, and the like.
-​ Seed art can be found in certain localities.
10.​ Rock and sand
-​ Vary in size and color, allowing for varied art forms.

Local art materials can be classified as traditional and non-traditional

Traditional
-​ Traditional art materials available locally are those that are usually bought from department stores and
bookstores.
-​ They include crayons, oil pastels, watercolor, colored pencils, and other materials used in school.
Non-Traditional
-​ Materials not usually used in creating art include coffee, plastic bottles, and recyclable materials similar to
those used in junk art.
Medium used in Contemporary Arts
Medium Practical
-​ Materials and substances are used to create an -​ Cement, paper, pencil
artwork. Environment
Musical -​ Uses of space
-​ Vocal, guitar, piano, flute Narrative
-​ Create sounds -​ Language used
CRITIQUING AVAILABLE MATERIALS AND APPROPRIATE TECHNIQUES
●​ An artwork is not just a work good enough for an artist.
●​ An artwork is an expression of the being of the artist who created it.
●​ The artist makes a thorough evaluation and assessment of the art materials available at his disposal as well as
the art technique he or she will be applying using these available art materials.
Critiquing Versus Criticizing
Critique involves noting the process of creation, paying attention to the kind of art materials used, and considering the
art technique applied.
Critique ●​ Accessibility: acquired or used easily
-​ from the Greek kritike tekhne, ●​ Affordability: financial
-​ “Critical art” Critiquing Appropriate Art Technique
Critiquing Available Art Materials ●​ Appropriateness: suitability
●​ Availability: use ●​ Mastery: skills
●​ Practicality: useful