Carlito Camahalan Amalla is a distinguished Filipino multimedia artist, educator, and cultural advocate whose work bridges ancestral traditions with contemporary expression. A proud member of the Agusanon Manobo tribe, Amalla draws deeply from indigenous heritage, infusing his art with spiritual symbolism, ecological wisdom, and ritual storytelling.
He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Sculpture and a Master’s in Art History from the University of the Philippines, and is a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. His artistic practice spans visual arts, puppetry, dance, music, and performance. Amalla’s signature works include mandala-inspired wood carvings, repoussé brass pieces, and stylized portraits that celebrate indigenous attire and identity.
Internationally recognized, Amalla has exhibited in New York, Berlin, Belgium, and across Asia. He has performed and lectured in cultural festivals and academic forums around the world, sharing his expertise in traditional puppetry, including wayang kulit (Indonesia) and bunraku (Japan). His original puppet productions—Papet Pasyon, Papet Ramayana, and Papet Kalikasan—blend folklore, environmental themes, and community empowerment.
Amalla is the founder of the Agusan Artists Association and the Balangay Artists Association and currently teaches at De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde. His accolades include the Asia Pacific Luminare Award, the Gat Apolinario Mabini Award, and the UP Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Award in Community Empowerment.
Through his art, Amalla honors the voices of indigenous communities and champions creativity as a force for healing, education, and cultural pride.
