THREE artists in Mindanao were conferred the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan or National Living Treasures Award by President Rodrigo Duterte for being at the forefront of the practice, preservation and promotion of the nation’s folk arts.
In his Proclamation No. 126 issued on Jan. 6, Duterte conferred the award to Yabing Masalon Dulo, Ambalang Ausalin and Estelita Tumandan Bantilan. They will receive an initial grant of P100,000, a medallion and P14,000 in lifetime stipend per month.
Dulo, a B’laan ikat weaver from South Cotabato, was awarded for her commitment to the safeguarding and promotion of the B’laan mabal tabih or ikat-weaving tradition.
Ausalin, a Yakan tapestry weaver from Lamitan, Basilan, was recognized for her commitment to the safeguarding and promotion of the Yakan tennun or tapestry-weaving tradition.
Bantilan, a B’laan mat weaver from Sarangani, was recognized for her commitment to the safeguarding and promotion of the B’laan igem or mat-weaving tradition.
The State’s recognition of such sociocultural contributions was formalized in 1992 through Republic Act 7355 or the Manlilikha ng Bayan Act. The awardees will also be granted a maximum cumulative amount of P750,000 in medical and hospitalization benefits as well as funeral assistance similar to those received by National Artists.
The main objective of the award is to honor and support traditional folk artists and to see to it that their skills and crafts are preserved. The award is tied with a program that ensures the transfer of their skills to new generations and the promotion of the craft locally and internationally.
In 2014, the Senate adopted Resolution 765 recognizing the accomplishments of the country’s living treasures.
