GAMABA Award Overview

A national award given to Filipino artists who excel in preserving and promoting traditional folk arts.

The official title bestowed upon a recipient of the GAMABA award.

The year the GAMABA award was officially established through legislation.

The government agency responsible for overseeing the GAMABA award.

One of the key objectives of the GAMABA award is to ensure that the skills and crafts of traditional artists are passed down to younger generations.

The GAMABA award is not just about recognition; it also aims to promote the recipients’ crafts and skills both within the Philippines and internationally.

The award focuses on recognizing and promoting traditional art, particularly those practiced by indigenous communities in the Philippines.

A key aspect of GAMABA is that it acknowledges the tangible and collaborative nature of art production, emphasizing the community and shared traditions behind the art.

The "Gamaba" award is given to individuals who have made significant contributions to a specific art tradition in the Philippines. This includes creating a substantial body of work, playing a role in preserving the art form, and being recognized as a master within their community.

Ginaw Bilog was a poet from the Hanunuo Mangyan tribe in the Philippines. He was known for preserving the Mangyan script by writing Ambahan poems in traditional bamboo tubes, which often recounted stories and cultural teachings.

The Ambahan is a traditional Mangyan poem consisting of seven-syllable lines, often recited with music at social gatherings. These poems convey various themes, such as advice for the young, farewell messages, and requests for hospitality.

Masino Intaray was a Pala'wan musician known for his mastery of the basal, a gong ensemble used in rituals related to rice cultivation and community gatherings. He also performed the kulilal, a lyrical poem about love, and the Bagit, an instrumental piece about nature.

The basal is a traditional gong ensemble used by the Pala'wan people in rituals related to rice, such as rice cooking (tambilaw) and rice sharing (tinapay), where offerings are made to the rice god, Ampo't Paray. The basal helps gather the community together during these events.

The kutyapi is a two-stringed lute played by Samaon Sulaiman, a gifted musician who was awarded the Gamaba. Playing the kutyapi requires advanced technical skills.

The "Tambilaw" is a ritual for rice sharing among the Pala'wan people, where offerings to the Lord of rice are made. The "Tinapay" is a similar ritual involving drinking rice wine. The "Basal", a gong ensemble, is played during both rituals.

A traditional Filipino instrument, usually made of bamboo, known for its melodic and rhythmic sound, often with a meditative and captivating effect.

Known for his skill in playing the Kulintang, he learned from his uncle at a young age and became an influential teacher.

A fine abaca cloth woven by hand, known for its intricate patterns and significance in the culture of the T'boli people.

She was a renowned weaver of the T'nalak, known for her mastery of traditional patterns and her commitment to purity in her craft.

A traditional textile of the Bagobo people, known for its intricate designs and the time it takes to create.

She was a master weaver of the Inabal, known for her patience and dedication to her craft, particularly her intricate crocodile designs.

A traditional dancer and musician from the Kalinga people, known for his mastery of local instruments and dance patterns.

These dances often serve specific purposes ranging from rituals to peace pacts, showcasing the deep connection between music, dance, and community.

A traditional Central Panay epic chanted while lying on a hammock, known for its rich storytelling and historical significance.

Federico Caballero was a chanter and teacher who played a vital role in preserving the Sugidanon epic by documenting 10 epics in a language close to Kinaray-a.

A musical instrument made of logs arranged beneath a tree, used in Yakan culture to call for abundant rice harvests.

Uwang Ahadas is a Yakan musician known for mastering the Kwintangan and teaching younger generations the traditional art of playing it.

A traditional headpiece from the Sulu region, known for its intricately woven designs derived from the mandala symbol, representing spirituality and geometric forms.

Darhata Sawabi was a textile weaver who focused on preserving the traditional designs and techniques of the Pis Siyabit headpiece, sharing her knowledge with younger generations.

Saclag is a recognized master of the Kalinga Budong dance, a traditional dance that involves intricate movements and elaborate costumes.

All of these individuals were recognized by the GAMABA award for their contributions to the preservation and promotion of their respective traditions.

Eduardo Mutuc is a renowned metalsmith and artist who creates exquisite religious and secular art pieces using wood, silver, and bronze. He is best known for his detailed and lifelike creations, including altars, mirrors, retablos, and carosas.

Haja Amina Appi was a master pandan mat weaver, known for her intricate mats with beautiful geometric designs, vibrant colors, and fine symmetry. She learned the art from her ancestors and passed it down to younger generations.

Magdalena Gamayo is a talented textile weaver from Ilocos Norte, renowned for her mastery of traditional patterns like kusikus, marurup, and sinan paddak ti pusa. She is also known for her ability to replicate designs from memory and her skill in producing binakol with exceptional thread count and uniform weave.

Teofilo Garcia, a gourd hatmaker from San Quintin, Abra, is known for his traditional gourd casques. He carries on a unique craft, showcasing the region's cultural heritage.

The process of weaving pandan mats is intricate, involving harvesting, preparing, and dyeing the pandan leaves before they are woven into mats.

These are specific traditional patterns used in weaving, such as kusikus, marurup, sinan paddak ti pusa, inuritan and sinan-sabong.

Binakol is a woven cloth that is highly valued for its high thread count and uniform weave. This reflects the skill and dedication of the weaver.