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<\/p>\nPreserving Heritage and Empowering Communities<\/p>\n
The annual National Arts and Crafts Fair (NACF) is a vital platform for cultural
\npreservation and community empowerment. The 2024 edition, to be held from October
\n23 to 27, 2024, at the Megatrade Halls 1 to 3, SM Megamall, will highlight the
\nintersection of cultural heritage and craftsmanship, particularly focusing on traditional artisans from marginalized and Indigenous communities.<\/p>\n
Launched in 2016 through the visionary leadership of Senator Loren Legarda, the
\nNACF was envisioned as an event dedicated exclusively to preserving the country\u2019s
\ncultural heritage while promoting the economic viability of indigenous arts and crafts.
\nWith her continued support, the event is organized by the Department of Trade and
\nIndustry (DTI) Bureau of Market Development, Promotions, and OTOP (BMDPO).<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Featuring the Schools of Living Traditions (SLTs)<\/p>\n
Among the highlights of the NACF are the Schools of Living Traditions (SLTs). These
\ncommunity-managed centers serve as cultural hubs where indigenous groups teach
\ntheir younger generations the traditional skills and crafts of their forebears. The SLTs
\nensure that vital elements of intangible cultural heritage, such as traditional weaving,
\npottery, metalwork, and performing arts, are passed down to younger generations.
\nEstablished through the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), SLTs
\nare found across the Philippines, from the Cordilleras to Mindanao, with each
\ncommunity sharing its unique knowledge and cultural heritage. These schools allow
\nindigenous artisans to impart their knowledge to the youth in their communities, helping
\npreserve cultural traditions that have been practiced for centuries. At this year\u2019s NACF,
\nSLTs will take center stage as their artisans showcase their crafts and demonstrate the
\nsignificance of maintaining cultural identity in a rapidly modernizing world.<\/p>\n
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Recognizing the GAMABA Awardees: Guardians of Filipino Heritage
\nThe NACF 2024 will also pay tribute to the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan
\n(GAMABA) Awardees\u2014master artisans recognized by the Philippine government for
\ntheir exceptional contributions to the preservation of traditional arts. Established in 1992
\nthrough Republic Act No. 7355, the GAMABA (or National Living Treasures Award)
\nhonors individuals and groups who have made outstanding contributions to the practice,
\ntransmission, and preservation of traditional Filipino craftsmanship.
\nThese artisans are the cultural guardians of their respective crafts, preserving
\ntechniques and traditions that span generations. Many of the GAMABA Awardees hail
\nfrom indigenous groups and rural areas, where their work is deeply intertwined with their
\ncommunity\u2019s daily life and cultural rituals.<\/p>\n
At the NACF 2024, several GAMABA awardees and their apprentices will display
\ntheir masterworks, allowing visitors to witness firsthand the craftsmanship that has
\nearned them this prestigious recognition. Through their participation, the NACF serves
\nas a key venue for promoting the GAMABA awardees\u2019 legacies and ensuring that their
\nknowledge continues to inspire new generations of artisans.<\/p>\n
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Cultural Preservation and Economic Empowerment
\nBy putting a spotlight on SLTs and GAMABA Awardees, the NACF does more than
\njust showcase products\u2014it fosters a deeper connection between cultural preservation
\nand community empowerment. Visitors will not only be able to purchase heritage crafts
\nbut also learn about the stories and traditions behind each piece, gaining a greater
\nappreciation for the depth of Filipino craftsmanship.<\/p>\n
The fair also provides these artisans access to broader markets, helping them secure
\nsustainable livelihoods. Through partnerships with agencies like the Department of
\nScience and Technology (DOST) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts
\n(NCCA), the NACF supports innovation while ensuring that traditional skills are
\npreserved, adapted, and passed down to future generations.<\/p>\n
A Platform for National and Global Recognition
\nAs the NACF 2024 brings together artisans from across the Philippines, it serves as a
\nnational and global stage for promoting and preserving Filipino cultural heritage.
\nWhether through the intricate beadwork of the T\u2019boli, the vibrant weaving of the Kalinga,<\/p>\n
or the fine metalwork of Pampanga\u2019s artisans, the fair highlights the cultural diversity
\nand artistic excellence of the nation.<\/p>\n
Support the NACF 2024: Preserving Heritage, Empowering Communities
\nThe National Arts and Crafts Fair 2024 invites everyone to celebrate Filipino
\ncraftsmanship, support marginalized communities, and engage in preserving the
\ncountry\u2019s rich cultural heritage. The fair will be open to the public from October 23-27,
\n2024, at the Megatrade Halls 1-3, SM Megamall. Admission is free.
\nFor more information, follow DTI.BMDPO on social media or contact BMDPO Director
\nMarievic M. Bonoan at bmdpo@dti.gov.ph.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Prepare for thrills and excitement in my latest story!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":7419,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15,18,24],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7414","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-events","category-latest","category-special-feature"],"pageone_source":{"pageone_source":"original","author_name":"Stephanie Lontoc"},"_pageone_source":"original","zyndk8_nxtgen_metadata":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stefthemomma.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7414","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stefthemomma.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stefthemomma.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stefthemomma.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stefthemomma.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=7414"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/stefthemomma.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7414\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stefthemomma.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/7419"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stefthemomma.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7414"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stefthemomma.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7414"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stefthemomma.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7414"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}