Solid North's National Living Treasures

Celebrating National Living Treasures Award from the Solid North: Guardians of Philippine Culture

The Solid North region of the Philippines, known for its strong sense of cultural heritage and resilience, is home to some of the nation’s most esteemed traditional artists. Recognised under the prestigious “Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan” or National Living Treasures Award, these remarkable individuals have preserved and enriched the Philippines’ cultural landscape with their dedicated craftsmanship, artistry, and storytelling.

Let’s shine a spotlight on five awardees from the Solid North: Alonzo Saclag, Teofilo Garcia, Magdalena Gamayo, Adelita Romualdo Bagcal, and Amparo Balansi Mabanag. Each artist has uniquely contributed to sustaining the country’s heritage, and each work they produce is a testament to the depth of Philippine culture and identity.

*** All images except ones watermarked “Silverbackpacker” from NCCA Facebook Page

Alonzo Saclag (Lubuagan, Kalinga) – Keeper of Kalinga Music and Dance 2000

Alonzo Saclag, born in Lubuagan, Kalinga, is celebrated for his devotion to preserving traditional Kalinga music and dance. As a child, he showed a keen interest in his people’s rituals and traditions. Despite a lack of formal training, he mastered the indigenous instruments of Kalinga, including the gangsa (gong) and tambol (drum), and became skilled in the cultural dances and chants of his ancestors.

Saclag’s contributions go beyond performance; he has been instrumental in transmitting his knowledge to younger generations. He established the Kalinga Budong Dance Troupe, which brings traditional Kalinga performances to various festivals and educational settings across the country.

His work ensures that the rich tapestry of Kalinga traditions remains alive, inspiring pride and fostering a connection with heritage among his community and beyond. Saclag’s leadership and passion serve as a bridge between the past and the present, preserving the rhythm and movement of his people’s culture for future generations.

Teofilo Garcia (San Quintin, Abra) – Master of the Tabungaw Hat 2012

In the mountainous region of Abra, Teofilo Garcia is a master craftsman recognised for his dedication to the art of tabungaw, or the creation of traditional gourd hats. This headgear, distinct in its durability and practicality, is crafted from the upo or bottle gourd and is unique to Garcia’s region. Garcia has refined this craft over decades, developing techniques for cleaning, drying, and shaping the gourd to create a resilient and comfortable hat.

Beyond its functional use, the tabungaw is a symbol of Filipino ingenuity and respect for natural resources. Garcia’s hats showcase the ingenuity required to adapt to one’s environment, and their design reflects a keen understanding of both form and function.

Garcia does not only produce these hats but also shares his expertise with local youth, passing on the craft and keeping this valuable tradition alive. His commitment to this indigenous art form highlights the importance of respecting and preserving traditional skills that are often overshadowed by modernisation.

Magdalena Gamayo (Pinili, Ilocos Norte) – Weaver of the Inabel 2012

From the region of Ilocos Norte comes Magdalena Gamayo, an exceptional weaver known for her mastery of the inabel, a traditional handwoven textile with intricate patterns and vibrant colours. The inabel technique is a time-honoured tradition in Ilocos, but the art is labour-intensive and demands patience, precision, and skill. Gamayo learned weaving from her aunt at a young age and, with time, refined her abilities to an extraordinary level.

Gamayo’s intricate weaves include complex patterns like the binakol, kusikos, and sinan-sabong. Her attention to detail and adherence to traditional methods make her textiles distinctive and celebrated. Despite the dwindling number of weavers practising this demanding craft, Gamayo remains steadfast in her commitment to pass on her skills to younger generations.

Her work is not only a source of livelihood but also an enduring symbol of the artistry and history of Ilocano culture. As she teaches her niece and other women in her community, Gamayo ensures the inabel weaving tradition will continue to thrive.

Adelita Romualdo Bagcal (Banna, Ilocos Norte) – Guardian of the Isnag Oral Tradition 2023

Adelita Romualdo Bagcal from Banna, Ilocos Norte, has dedicated her life to safeguarding the Isnag oral tradition, a vibrant storytelling heritage that captures the wisdom and beliefs of her ancestors.

Known for her ability to recite lengthy ullalim, epic chants central to the Isnag community, Bagcal plays a crucial role in keeping her people’s stories alive. The ullalim is not merely a form of entertainment but also a means of instilling moral values, recounting historical events, and preserving community identity.

Bagcal’s commitment to her craft includes not only performing but also teaching the younger generation. Recognising the challenges of preserving oral traditions in a modern world, she has worked tirelessly to record and share her knowledge, ensuring that the Isnag language and culture are celebrated and remembered.

Bagcal’s role as a bearer of oral history is invaluable, and her efforts illuminate the profound influence of storytelling in shaping cultural heritage and individual identity.

Amparo Balansi Mabanag (Paracelis, Mountain Province) – Ilocano Weaver of the Ikat 2023

Amparo Balansi Mabanag, from Mountain Province, is another skilled artisan whose weaving expertise has earned her a place among the nation’s cultural guardians. Her craft focuses on the ikat, a complex dyeing and weaving technique that involves carefully dyeing threads in precise patterns before weaving them into cloth.

This method produces intricate designs and vibrant colours, and its execution requires not only artistic vision but also mathematical precision.

Mabanag’s work is rooted in her Ilocano heritage, and she has been instrumental in reviving and innovating the traditional ikat weaving techniques that were at risk of being forgotten. By training other women in her community, she has expanded the craft’s reach and maintained its relevance in contemporary society.

Mabanag’s ikat weavings are not only functional textiles but also artistic creations that reflect the depth of Filipino craftsmanship. Her dedication contributes to a broader appreciation of indigenous weaving as both an art form and a means of self-expression.

The Role of National Living Treasure Awardees in Solid North’s Cultural Identity

The Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan award is more than a recognition of individual talent; it symbolises the Filipino people’s respect for their heritage and dedication to preserving it. The National Living Treasure Awardees from the Solid North demonstrate the diverse ways in which traditional art forms can be nurtured and passed down.

Each artist’s contribution is a unique chapter in the story of the Philippines, underscoring the cultural richness of this region.

These artists remind us that the preservation of tradition is not solely a task for the artists themselves; it requires the support and interest of communities, educational institutions, and the government.

While modernisation offers many opportunities, it can also endanger traditional practices. The work of these awardees highlights the importance of balance: cultural heritage is not a relic but a living, breathing aspect of community identity.

Supporting and Honouring the Legacy of Traditional Artists

While the National Living Treasures Award serves as a national acknowledgment, these artists also rely on community support. Festivals, workshops, and cultural programmes that celebrate and promote traditional crafts are vital to ensuring that such skills are not lost.

By purchasing handmade items like the inabel or ikat textiles, or by visiting workshops where artists like Garcia and Mabanag demonstrate their craft, the public can actively contribute to preserving and promoting these art forms.

Institutions and local governments can also play a role in sustaining these traditions by funding cultural programmes and workshops that encourage young people to take up traditional crafts. Additionally, the documentation of oral histories, such as Bagcal’s ullalim recitations, and the production of educational materials can make these art forms accessible to future generations.

Solid North’s Culture and Heritage Custodians

The Solid North’s National Living Treasure Awardees illustrate a powerful commitment to Philippine culture and heritage. Alonzo Saclag, Teofilo Garcia, Magdalena Gamayo, Adelita Romualdo Bagcal, and Amparo Balansi Mabanag exemplify how traditional arts can thrive through dedication, resilience, and community involvement.

These artists serve as custodians of their respective crafts, weaving, sculpting, chanting, and performing their way into the collective memory of the Filipino people.

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