BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — Baguio City furthers its being a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Creative City as it opens a new a vibrant hub for artists, artisans, and cultural practitioners.
Initiated by the Creative Baguio City Council, the iBagiw Creative Village at the Dominican Hill Heritage and Nature Park (commonly known as the Diplomat Hotel) at Dominical Hill, is now open to the public.
Nestled within a serene garden setting, the iBagiw Creative Village serves as a collaborative space where local and visiting creatives can showcase their work, conduct live art demonstrations, host workshops, and engage in meaningful cultural exchanges.
Activities here include local busking and live music, anido night every Saturday, traditional tattooing, and portrait sketching, among others. Visitors can also buy artisanal food and drinks and unique local crafts.
Supervising City Tourism Officer Aloysius Mapalo said that they have chosen Dominican Hill Heritage and Nature Park for the creative village due to the great number of tourists visiting the area. He said this is also bringing crafters in an area where they can thrive.
The iBagiw Creative Village also aims to ease congestion in Baguio’s Central Business District by decentralizing cultural activities. The initiative explores how creative placemaking in public spaces can support the local economy, enrich the cultural landscape, and promote sustainable tourism.
“We are going outside of the center kasi andun naman lahat ng main establishments and bringing the community, crafters in an area na puwedeng doon ulit sila mag-thrive. Ngayong nandito sa Dominican, let us engage all the crafters within the area, within the neighborhood para sila ang magiging direct beneficiary,” Mapalo said.
More than a space for art, the iBagiw Creative Village supports Baguio’s vision of sustainable, culture-driven development.
“This village, we would like this to be a communal place where gatherings can be done by the locals and visitors alike and make this as a catalyst for engagement, for community engagement and opportunities,” Mapalo added.
The village is open from Friday to Sunday until May 2025. [JDP/DEG with Clariza Osiang, PIA CAR-BSU Intern]
