Nine 'Manlilikha ng Bayan' honorees named

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Thursday named nine Filipino artists as Manlilikha ng Bayan for 2023, recognizing their "distinctive skills" that have attained a "high level of technical and artistic excellence."

By virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 427 dated Dec. 15, the President identified this year's honorees as the following:

• Adelita Romualdo Bagcal
• Abina Tawide Coguit
• Sakinur-ain Mugong Delasas
• Bundos Bansil Fara
• Marife Ravidas Ganahon
• Amparo Balansi Mabanag
• Samporonia Pagsac Madanlo
• Barbara Kibed Ofong
• Rosie Godwino Sula

Republic Act (RA) 7355 provides for the recognition of "National Living Treasures," otherwise known as the Manlilikha ng Bayan. They may be citizens or a group of citizens engaged in any traditional art that is uniquely Filipino.

Through the Presidential Proclamation, the President approved the recommendation of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) for this year's Manlilikha ng Bayan honorees.

Bagcal is a master of oral traditions from Banna town in Ilocos Norte, while Coguit is an embroiderer from La Paz, Agusan del Sur. Bagcal and Coguit were recognized for safeguarding and promoting the Dallot and other Ilocano oral traditions, and the Agusan Manobo suyam (embroidery) tradition, respectively.

Delasas, a Sama master of traditional dance from Bongao in Tawi-Tawi, and Fara, a T'boli brass caster from Lake Sebu in South Cotabato, were also feted for commitment to safeguard and promote Sama igal (dance) and the T’boli temwel (brass casting) traditions, respectively.

Ganahon, a Higaonon mat weaver from Malaybalay in Bukidnon, was cited for her contribution to Higaonon ikam (mat weaving) tradition.

Mabanag, a Ga'dang embroider from Paracelis in Mountain Province, and Madanlo, a Mandaya ikat weaver from Caraga in Davao Oriental, were recognized for safeguarding and promoting Ga'dang manu'bak and ameru (beadworks and embroidery) traditions; and the Mandaya dagmay (ikat weaving) tradition, respectively.

Meanwhile, Ofong, a T’boli ikat weaver, and Sula, a T'boli chanter, are both from Lake Sebu in South Cotabato. Ofong and Sula were recognized for their commitment to safeguarding and promoting the T'boli t'nalak (ikat weaving) tradition and the T'boli lingon (chanting) tradition, respectively. — VDV, GMA Integrated News