What is GAMABA? GAMABA • Garcia names Manlilikhang Bayan (One who creates for the country) or national living Treasure. 12 individuals have received this distinction from the time of establishment of the award in 1992 through Republic Act. No. 7355 until 2012. The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) bestows the highest awards for culture and the arts,including the national artist awards. THE PRODUCTION PROCESS AND THE CHANGING ENVIRONMENT • The traditional artists mode of production continues to be affected with the dynamics of change. Environmental degradation ushered in by calamities, modernization and capitalistic endeavors displace the indigenous peoples from their ancestral land. As their home base, it is considered of paramount importance-this is where resources are gathered and shared, where culture is performed. The following factors affect the traditional artist’s production Process. 1. Tourism- land areas are converted into sites fro tourist consumption. Ecological domains become more susceptible to damage with combined forces of natural disasters and tourist mobility. The following factors affect the traditional artist’s production Process. 2. Mining and infrastructure Projects- the construction of dams and the establishment of oil and mining companies evict people from their dwellings and severely damage the environment. The following factors affect the traditional artist’s production Process. 3. Militarization- the insecurity and tensions brought about by militarized zones arrest the people’s ability to create art. It prevent people from having communal gatherings, where exchanges and passing of knowledge can take place. 4. Christianization- the influence of Christianity and conversion of the natives to a foreign religion have caused members of the community to forsake their indigenous rituals and traditions.