WHEREAS, Section 15, Article XIV of the 1987 Constitution provides that arts and letters shall enjoy the patronage of the State, and that the State shall conserve, promote, and popularize the nation's historical and cultural heritage and resources, as well as artistic creations;

WHEREAS, Republic Act (RA) No. 7355 provides for the recognition of "National Living Treasures," otherwise known as the "Manlilikha ng Bayan," referring to a citizen or a group of citizens engaged in any traditional art that is uniquely Filipino and whose distinctive skills have reached a high level of technical and artistic excellence;

WHEREAS, Adelita Romualdo Bagcal, an Ilocano master of Oral Traditions from Banna, Ilocos Norte, is recognized for her commitment to safeguarding and promoting the Dallot and other ilocano oral traditions;

WHEREAS, Abina Tawide Coguit, an Agusan Manobo embroiderer from La Paz, Agusan del Sur, is recognized for her commitment to safeguarding and promoting the Agusan the Dallot and other Ilocano oral traditions;

WHEREAS, Sakinur-ain Mugong Delasas, a Sama master of traditional dance from Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, is recognized for her commitment to safeguarding and promoting the Same igal (dance) tradition;

WHEREAS, Bundos Bansil Fara, a T'boli brasscaster from Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, is recognized for his commitment to safeguarding and promoting the T'boli temwel (brasscasting) tradition;

WHEREAS, Marife Ravidas Ganaho, a Higanon mat weaver from Malaybalay, Bukidnon, is recognized for her commitment to safeguarding and promoting the Higanon ikaw (mat weaving) tradition;

WHEREAS, Amparo Balansi Mabang, a Ga'dang embroiderer from Paracelis, Mountain Province, is recognized for her commitment to safeguarding and promoting the Ga'dang manu'bak and ameru (beadworks and embroidery) traditions;

WHEREAS, Samporonia Pagsac Madanio, a Mandaya ikat weaver from Caraga, Davao Oriental, is recognized for her commitment to safeguarding and promoting the Mandaya dagmay (ikat weaving) tradition;

WHEREAS, Barbara Kibed Ofong, a T'boli ikat weaver from Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, is recognized for her commitment to safeguarding and promoting the T'boli t'nalak (ikat weaving) tradition; and

WHEREAS, Rosie Godwino Sula, a T'boli chanter from Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, is recognized for her commitment to safeguarding and promoting the T'boli lingon (chanting) tradition;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND R. MARCOS, JR., President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, and upon the recommendation of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and pursuant to RA No. 7355, do hereby declare the following individuals as Manlilikha ng Bayan for 2023:

ADELITA ROMUALDO BAGCAL
ABINA TAWIDE COGUIT
SAKINUR-AIN MUGONG DELASAS
BUNDOS BANSIL FARA
MARIFE RAVIDAS GANAHON
AMPARO BALANSI MABANAG
SAMPORONIA PAGSAC MADANLO
BARBARA KIBED OFONG
ROSIE GODWINO SULA

IN WITNESS THEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 15^th day of December, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Twenty Three.