The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), in partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), honored 14 Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA) awardees whose lifelong dedication have helped preserve and promote Filipino culture and tradition.
The ceremony, held on October 23 in Taguig City, celebrated the artistry and craftsmanship of the country’s living master artisans and traditional practitioners who continue to keep the spirit of Filipino heritage alive through their craft.
TESDA Secretary Kiko Benitez said the recognition forms part of the agency’s efforts to highlight the link between culture, heritage, and skills development as pillars of national identity and inclusive growth.
“TESDA’s partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and other cultural advocates aims to promote traditional craftsmanship as a living skill that contributes to both cultural preservation and sustainable livelihoods. Through this initiative the wisdom and techniques of these master artisans can be passed on to future generations,” Sec. Kiko said.
“Every weave, song, and carving tell the story of who we are as Filipinos. TESDA’s partnership with our Cultural Masters ensures that these stories will continue to live, breathe, and inspire for generations to come,” the TESDA chief added.
Among those honored were: Magdalena Gamayo (Ilocano textile weaving), Adelita Romualdo Bagcal (Ilocano oral traditions), Alonzo Saclag (music and dance), Teofilo Garcia (tabungaw making), Amparo Balansi Mabanag (beadwork and embroidery), and Eduardo Mutuc (metalsmithing or pukpuk).
Other awardees included: Estelita Bantilan (Blaan mat weaving), Abina Tawide Coguit (Agusan Manobo embroidery), Barbara Kibed Ofong (Tboli textile weaving), Bundos Bansil Fara (Tboli brass casting), Rosie Godwino Sula (Tboli epic chanting), Samporonia Pagsac Madanlo (Mandaya textile weaving), Marife Ravidas Ganahon (Higaonon mat weaving), Hadja Sakinur-ain Mugong Delasas (Igal dance).
As part of the event, the Cultural Masters were treated to a tour of Lakbay Museo, where some of their works are currently exhibited, among those of other renowned artists and artisans.
Further, a dialogue with TESDA officials to engage the Cultural Masters on how their skills can be documented, standardized, and integrated into skills development programs for the youth was also conducted.
This initiative, established through TESDA Circular No. 093 series of 2019 and TESDA Board Resolution No. 2023-12, seeks to document, preserve, and integrate traditional skills into modern technical vocational education and training (TVET) programs, to ensure that these competencies are sustained and recognized nationwide.
Learners who train under these Cultural Masters are guided through a learning pathway that begins with heritage-based community training, progressing to TESDA-accredited qualifications such as weaving, metal craft, woodcraft, and performing arts, and potentially advancing to Bachelor’s degrees in Fine Arts, Industrial Design, Culture and Arts Management, or Education.
NCCA’s Schools of Living Traditions are included as TESDAs partner facilities in running community-based training programs.
