Indigenous artist calls out alleged plagiarism in proposed Palarong Pambansa logo

The dispute highlights the ongoing struggle for indigenous artists to maintain control over their cultural symbols and creative narratives.

An indigenous artist called out a design page for allegedly plagiarizing his work in a logo proposal for the 2026 Palarong Pambansa.

Carlito Camahalan Amalla, a multimedia artist and puppeteer from the Agusanon Manobo tribe, claimed that a proposed redesign of the 2026 Palarong Pambansa logo had copied elements of his indigenous textile art.

A design-oriented Facebook page named The 19 Studio uploaded a proposed redesign of the 2026 Palarong Pambansa logo.

The concept centered on suyam, an embroidery tradition among the Agusanon Manobo people known for its intricate block-like stitches.

The anatomy of a design dispute

Amalla claimed that the page’s concept copied a textile design that accompanies his puppet named Baylan.

“By isolating the fabric, they have desecrated its meaning and violated the integrity of my work… the fabric is part and parcel of Baylan’s story and cannot stand apart,” he said in a May 9 Facebook post.

Amalla added that the page’s unauthorized use of his artwork strips it of cultural significance, highlighting the need to credit artists for their work, especially when it is of indigenous origin.

The 19 Studio has since deleted the post, but many creatives continue to call attention to the issue of attribution and cultural appropriation.

The 2026 Palarong Pambansa will be held in Agusan del Sur from May 24 to May 31, bringing together youth athletes across 35 sporting events.

 

 

They have desecrated its meaning.

Carlito Amalla, Indigenous artist on stealing his Manobo ‘Suyam’ designs

 

 

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