NATIONAL ARTIST. Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA) national artist on mat weaving Bae Estelita Tumandan Bantilan is from Sitio Upper Lasang. From the Office of the President, Proclamation No. 126 on January 6, 2017 upon the recommendation of the NCCA pursuant to RA 7355 which provides for the recognition of National Living Treasures, President Rodrigo Duterte declared Bantilan, 75, as Manlilikha Ng Bayan for 2016. Bantilan was the first declared national artist on mat weaving in Sarangani. (Ener T. Toguin for SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
