Three Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA) Awardees from Mindanao were honored at the opening ceremony of the World Ikat Textiles Symposium (WITS) on December 3, 2024.
2023 GAMABA awardees Samporonia Madanlo, Barbara Ofong, and Rosie Sula were greeted by delegates of the WITS at the Baguio Convention Center, clad traditional attire woven from abaca, intricate headdresses and beads hanging from their bodies, and bells ringing with every step, the ladies walked solemnly to the waiting crowd.
GAMABA or the National Living Treasures award, according to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) “honors the significance of the traditional and folk artists as a link between the skills of the past and future generations,” aimed o revitalize a community’s artistic tradition, thereby protecting a valuable facet of Philippine culture.
NCCA executive director Dr. Eric B. Zerrudo introduced each of the Living Treasures and their craft.
Inay Samporonia is a Mandaya gipandayan (expert) and a revered babaylan (priestess) in PM Sobrecarey, Caraga, Davao Oriental. She is an expert in the intricate handling of abaca to express indigenous beliefs, values, and customs through the creation of the exquisite dagmay, the Mandaya’s indigenous textile.
Speaking in the Mandaya language, she relayed her happiness at being at the event and expressed that the acknowledgement given to her honors her forefathers as well.
T’boli Barbara has an astonishing repertoire of 93 designs for the t’nalak. She weaves with a spiritually driven approach, drawing inspiration from rituals honoring Fu Dalu or the guardian spirit of abaca. She has also established a community center in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato dedicated to weaving instruction to ensure the preservation of the art for future generations.
Speaking in her indigenous language, she made an appeal for the protection of the rights of weavers and the designs they have. The designs are really intended for the T’boli community and copying them needs free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC).
Boi Lemingon Rosie is considered of a princess or lady status. Her beautiful voice reverberated in the Convention Center as she performed a chant telling the origin story of the T’boli.
“She is a renowned chanter and revered authority for her knowledge of the Tudbulul, the T’boli’s epic hero. She has garnered respect from scholars and her community alike for her dedication to preserving an art form deeply intertwined with T’boli culture, reflecting their way of life and aspiration,” Zerrudo added.
The GAMABA and their apprentices will also hold demonstrations, weavers’ exchange, and dialogues along with representatives of master weavers and artisans.
This is the 5th staging of WITS which was launched by the World Crafts Council Asia Pacific Region (WCC-APR) in 2016. Baguio City was chosen as the venue, for its status as UNESCO Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art.
WITS features seven plenary sessions and 31 speakers, the Philippine Ikat exhibition, Ikat Bazaar with 81 international and local artisans and weavers, GAMABA Exhibition, film screening, fashion show and gala dinner, weaver’s exchange and dialogues, weaving demonstrations, guided tours and field exposure.
The international event will run until December 6, 2024. Leia Castro-Margate
