CLOSE to 500 works of art, artists, artisans and cultural workers will come together for the Ibagiw Festival.
Led by the Baguio Arts and Creative Council (BACCI) and festival creative director Karlo Altomonte, the launch of the Ibagiw, is set over the weekend for a nine-day activity at the Diplomat Hotel area.
An exhibit featuring Baguio and Angono, Rizal artists will highlight the festival in an exposition dubbed as “Salubong,” with rooms of the former hotel converted to exhibition areas for over a dozen art groups and individuals.
Four installations will flank the Diplomat Hotel area with Anna Cecilla Schmidt’s art deco piece that stands at about 14 meters in diameter. It’s a large scale textile installation that unfolds as it is stretched out and tensioned to give the illusion of a levitating structure, which appears solid. And with the help of a few black lights, the sculpture will start to glow as day turns to night.
Raquel Diokno’s installation meanwhile will show infusion and involvement into the healing process through their words of encouragement to make them whole again.
“Bantay’ by Sulu artists Jake Espiritu and Iya Regalario, features a 10 - foot sculpture of a human head representing Baguio people seen looking at the sky, alluding to protecting the mountains and an installation on the Filipino trait, Crab Metality by Sonny Balanga.
Winner from 32 artisans will also be announced from 4 expert categories aimed to inspire a new generation of craftsmen & women and folk artists.
Finalists for backstrap weaving are Benita Naces and Carenia Amsawen both form of Paraccelis Mt. Province; the Montañosa Weavers Association of Sagada represented by Rose Wangdali, John Rae Guimbungan and Maria Kinggingan of Ifugao; Lily Bimuyag, Divina Calingayan and Benita Balangto; Antonia Dagoyen and Catherine E. Domigyay.
For the basketry competition finalists are Johnny Bangao and Mason Maleptey; Rovilyn and Romeo Mayat-an; Henedina Lota Bacani and Eric Arguelles; Randy Gawwi Bulayo, Pelin Ekin Contales, Jason Domling, Minda Catong Ciano and Mary Joy Tabanda.
For the woodcarving competition, artists, Clinton Anniversario, Edralin Galuten Matchok, Charles Aliguyon Gano, Christopher Atiwon, Alex Ognayon, Adriano Binwag Mahiwo and Randy Lang-udan made it to the finalist circle.
Finalists in the metalcraft top competitions are Lito Malaggay, Jenny Timbol, Rommel Marcelo, Clinton Anniversario, Pamela Lefeber, Bongbong Sanchez, Marla Sylvanna Navida Soriano, Tara Lalaine Natividad and Ayna Luisa Galang.
The finalists will be creating their entries on-site beginning on November 11. They have a total of seven days to finish their entries and the finished works will be exhibited from November 18-24, at the Dominican grounds now known as the Baguio Heritage Hill and Nature Park.
Baguio City is part of 64 cities from 44 countries have been designated as Unesco Creative Cities by with the objective of fostering innovations and creativity as key drivers for a more sustainable and inclusive urban development with the November festival as the highlight for this year.