In the history of the Gawad ng Manlilikha ng Bayan Awards, there has been only one Kapampangan recipient to date, Mr. Eduardo Tubig Mutuc of Apalit, Pampanga who was conferred this prestigious recognition in 2004.
The GAMABA or National Living Treasure award is one of the most prestigious awards given to traditional artists in the Philippines, similar to the National Artist award. To date only ten Filipinos have been given this singular honor and the people of Pampanga must take pride in having one of them in our midst.
An initial glance at tatang Eddie’s residence-cum-workshop does not yield a preview of the treasure housed within its walls. Even the neighbors of the Mutuc fam
ily in Tabuyuc, Apalit, Pampanga are not aware of the stature of the humble elder whose life’s work is committed to the traditional art of “pinukpuk” or metal craft.
Tatang Eddie himself is very down to earth and quiet, not one who brags about his accomplishments. He starts his story by saying that he came from humble beginnings, born to parents who were farmers and growing up with nine other children in the family. He never reached high school and began helping his family in the farm right after his elementary graduation.
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