Mandëko Kito 4: All about creative disruption

by Liezl Dunuan

BAGUIO CITY’s premier artisans market, Mandëko Kito, returns this Nov. 19 for its fourth run.
    As part of this year’s Ibagiw 2021 Creative City Festival, the market will operate from Friday to Monday, starting Nov. 19 until Dec. 13. 
    A total of 58 artisans, crafters, and food entrepreneurs will be participating this time at Berkeley School Baguio.
    Compared to its June 2021 run, the number of participants nearly doubled. 
    Mandëko Kito, when it was first conceptualized by the Baguio Arts and Crafts Collective, Inc. (BACCI) in June 2020, was a pro-active response to the needs of artisans and crafters who were heavily affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
    It brought together both established and new creative entrepreneurs and showcased high-quality locally made products. 
    Since then, it has helped participating entrepreneurs sell their products and earn even during these challenging times. It also proved that when given the opportunity, artisans and crafters can level up the quality of their products while at the same time, come up with new and innovative products for the market. 
    Starting this run, the artisans market sports a new logo with quite an interesting backstory.  The new logo of Mandëko Kito represents boldness of vision and tenacity in action. It is based on the controversial “barrel man” souvenir item from Baguio City that spurred rupture – various interpretations and myth-making, and much like what Mandëko Kito is trying to do – encourages disruptive imagination and innovation.
    The logo and tagline ‘Encouraging Innovations, Disrupting Imaginations’ were designed and conceptualized by award-winning agency Gigil, the all-Filipino owned agency, and the only Philippine agency to win gold in both Campaign Agency Of The Year (AOY)’s Philippine Creative Agency of the Year and Indie Agency of the Year and the lead creative behind the logo design, JR Bumanglag is from Baguio City. 
    This run which is a part of the Ibagiw 2021 Creative City Festival features several new innovations for guests and visitors to enjoy. Along with bringing home some of the best crafts and locally made products, guests will also enjoy several art installations by three creatives, namely visual artist Olie Olivete, crochet artist Adel Guia, and artist Marge Gomez.
    Another exciting feature is Vivistop, a creative hub for children, teens, and adults where they can tinker with 3D printers, laser cutters, and button makers and learn how to design and create while learning at the same time. They will occupy the basement area at Berkeley School during the event.  
    At Gallery Ninety, located within the school grounds, another Baguio artist will be holding his first solo exhibit. Architect Dulthe Munar and his exhibit is a true demonstration of innovation, by using local and ordinary materials and turning them into extraordinary works of art. 
    Another purpose of this event is to mobilize support from other important stakeholders such as the government and the private sector. Government support comes from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), coming in the form of event support and technical assistance for selected creative businesses. The private sector is not far behind with Converge ICT Solutions as another major event partner and connectivity sponsor during the event.
    Mandëko Kito 4 will be at the Berkeley School Baguio, 30 C.M. Recto St. Brgy. Saint Joseph Village, Baguio City, from November 19 to December 13 (Fridays to Mondays). For more information, visit Mandëko Kito | Facebook or @mandekokito on Instagram.