National Living Treasures (Manlilikha ng bayan)

Last January 6, 2017, President Rodrigo Duterte, through Proclamation 126, named three "National Living Treasures" otherwise known as "Manlilikha ng Bayan". The thre persons named are: Yabing Masalon Dulo, Ambalang Ausalin, and Estelita Tumandan Bantilan.

Courtesy of http://cctmalungon.blogspot.com/

Yabing Masalon Dulo. A B'laan ikat weaver from Mount Matutum, Polomolok, South Cotabato. She is recognized for her commitment to the safeguarding and promotion of the B'laan Mabal tabih (ikat weaving) tradition.

Yabing Masalon Dulo photo by Rappler/Edwin Espejo

A Rappler story by Edwin Espejo published October 21, 2014 showcased her work as a master weaver. Her children says she is 95 years old but probably younger than her proclaimed age, nevertheless she is slowly loosing her steps because of her eyes is always watery - a sign of aging.

Unlike other traditional spinners, B'laan uses strans of abaca fiber, joined them patienly by hand and use no spinning wheel - all done by hand.

A purist artist. She can't bear to see commercial looms added to the weaving process. "No, that is not what I taught them to do. My design was wasted because they put the red and white bands in it and very small Tabih design replaced," She told to her grandniece Josephine "Arjo" Turner, a half B'laan married to an American living in Atlanta.

The name "B'laan" is coined from the root word "bla"meaning "opponent" and "an" a suffix meaning "people".

Tabih is a B'laan word for the finished hand woven cloth. It has a hefty price tag depending on the intricacy of the design. It is said that a single piece of tabih is more that enough for a dowry and also can be used as blood money according the the Landan village chief Jerry Ante.

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Ambalang Ausalin a Yakan tapestry weaver from Lamitan, Basilan, is recognized for her commitment to the safeguarding and promotion of the Yakan tennun (tapestry weaving) tradition.

Mindanawon weavers shocasing Mindanao fabrics photo courtesy of RD Nelly Dillera

Estelita Tumandan Bantilan. a B'laan mat weaver from Malapatan, Sarangani, is recognized for her commitment to the safeguarding and promotion of the B'laan igem (mat weaving) tradition.

The three are presented with a specially designed medallion, an initial grant of Php 100,000 and a Php 14,000 lifetime stipend per month. They will also receive a maximum cummulative amount of Php 750,000 worth of medical and hospitalization benefits as well as funeral assistance.

Other Mindanawons awarded with the Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan include Kutyapi musician Samaon Sulaiman of Mamasapano, Maguindanao in 1993, tinalak weaver Lang Dulay of Lake Sebu, South Cotabato in 1998, ikat/inabal weaver Salinta Monon of Bansalan, Davao del Sur in 1998, kulinatang, kwitangan, kayu, gabbang, agung, and tuntungan musician Uwang Ahadas of Lamitan, Basilan in 2000, pis yabit weaver Darhata Sawabi of Parang, Sulu in 2004, and mat weaver Haja Amina Appi of Tandubas, Tawi-Tawi in 2004.

Source: Mindanaotimes