Marlyn Buka Ata

Marlyn Buka Ata is a T’boli artisan from Lake Sebu who specializes in Temno Bentilas, the art of hand-setting sequins onto traditional and contemporary garments. She began learning the craft at 19 under the guidance of her aunt, first observing experienced makers before developing the precision needed to place each sequin by hand.

Over more than 15 years of practice, Marlyn has worked on blouses, trousers, skirts, hats, polos, and other embellished garments. Her process begins once the garment has been sewn, after which she carefully applies sequins according to the intended design. A single embellished blouse can take several days to complete, reflecting the concentration and detailed handwork involved in every piece.

Marlyn takes particular pride in creating garments that carry T’boli visual traditions while also exploring how the craft can move into contemporary forms. For her, quality comes from careful placement, consistency, and giving each design the attention it requires.

Looking ahead, she hopes to grow her practice into a store of her own, reach more buyers beyond Lake Sebu, and continue developing new designs and techniques through Temno Bentilas.