3 female Mindanaoans named Manlilikha ng Bayan 2016

Three female Mindanaoan weavers have been declared National Living Treasures for 2016.

President Rodrigo Duterte signed Proclamation No. 126 on January 6, which named Yabing Masalon Dulo, Ambalang Ausalin, and Estelita Tumandan Bantilan "Manlilikha ng Bayan."

According to National Commission for Culture and the Arts outgoing Chairman Felipe De Leon, judges selected by the NCCA  chose the three artists from candidates "presented to them by NCCA search committees after more than two years of research and deliberations."

Dulo is a B'laan ikat weaver from Mount Matutum, Polomolok in South Cotabato. She promotes the tradition of B'laan mabal tabih (ikat weaving). 

Ausalin from Lamitan, Basilan safeguards the tradition of Yakan tennun (tapestry weaving). 

Bantilan is also a B'laan weaver who hails from Malapatan, Sarangani. She is known for her B'laan igem (mat weaving) tradition.

According to Republic Act 7355, the recipients of the NCCA's Gawad Manlilikha Ng Bayan are "a citizen or a group of citizens engaged in any traditional art uniquely Filipino, whose distinctive skills have reached such a high level of technical and artistic excellence and have been passed on to and widely practiced by the present generation in his/her community with the same degree of technical and artistic competence." — BAP/BM, GMA News

Note: This article previously stated that the President chose the individuals named National Living Treasures.