By Liza Agoot
BAGUIO CITY – The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) on Thursday opened the nominations for the next “Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA)” (National Living Treasure Award) at a press conference at the University of the Philippines (UP)-Baguio.
“It is especially fitting that we begin our nationwide press conference here in Baguio where communities continue to carry and celebrate the rich cultural tradition. I hope that it will encourage you to look into your own communities and recognize individuals who have dedicated their lives to preserving, practicing and sharing their knowledge and skills,” said NCCA Commissioner Reden Ulo, who heads the search for the GAMABA, in a speech.
He said nominations are open nationwide. The NCCA will be acceptig nominations from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31.
He vowed to bring the NCCA’s culture programs closer to the people, even as he encouraged greater participation in protecting and recognizing the heritage and identity of people in the communities.
“Through your nominations, we hope to bring greater attention to the bearers of our living tradition and help ensure that our knowledge continue to be valued, practiced and passed on to generations,” he said.
The “Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan” award have so far been bestowed to 25 recipients over the years—eight from Luzon, one from Visayas, and 16 from Mindanao.
Sixteen of them are female awardees, and the rest are men.
At least 13 of them are living and 12 are deceased. The awards were handed out in 1993, 1998, 2000, 2004, 2012, 2016, and 2023.
An awardee receives a minimum cash award of PHP300,000 net of taxes upon the issuance of the Proclamation of the President; a minimum lifetime personal monthly stipend of PHP50,000; a lifetime monthly fund of PHP25,000 allotted for the training and apprenticeship program; medical and hospitalization benefits not exceeding PHP750,000; a state funeral and heroes burial in case of death, with all expenses shouldered by the government.
The awardee also receives a gold medal which is handed by the President.
Joycie Alegre, a member of the GAMABA search committee, said the criteria include the nominee’s active involvement and cultural practice, efforts to pass on their knowledge, and as long as there is no objection to the nomination and the award
