DOT to revive Baguio Arts Guild, keep UNESCO 'Creative City' tag

By Pamela Mariz Geminiano

BAGUIO CITY -- The Dept. of Tourism-Cordillera is set to revive and institutionalize the Baguio Arts Guild to maintain Baguio’s “Creative City” designation by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). 

DOT Cordillera regional director Marie Venus Tan said artists and artisans are excited to be part of the efforts to retain the city's honor for its distinguished crafts and folk arts.

"I think this is what we need. This is something that we should be proud of. Baguio is in the map already with its unique diverse culture. We have been designated as UNESCO's 'creative city'.

We belong globally, and that should give you a lot of prestige and pride" Tan said.

Last November, UNESCO added Baguio as one of the 64 cities from 44 countries tagged “Creative Cities”, with the aim of making creative innovations as key drivers for a more sustainable and inclusive urban development.

"We feel that Baguio is a staging ground. The creativity of Baguio emanates from the arts and culture of the whole region," Tan said.

She said the group BAG has staged annual festivals for the past 15 years.

Among these, she cited, was the International Arts Festival, which used to be held regularly in Baguio, promoting the culture of the Cordillera through folk arts and crafts.

Baguio has been promoting various facets of art. The “Tam-awan Artists Village” features visual arts. The various coffee shops in the city promote artworks, as well, including woodcarvings.

Narda’s Woven Craft also attained an international mark as a distinct handwoven product.

The museum established by National Artist BenCab or Ben Cabrera in Tuba, Benguet, about eight kilometers away from Baguio's central business district, has become the arts hub of Baguio and the Cordillera region.

For Tan, the recognition of Baguio as a creative city is a great way to help bring higher economic gains to the city.

“This is just the beginning of something better for the country's Summer Capital,” she said. -- PNA