A new initiative in Baguio City called “Ibag-iw Creative Village” aims to transform public spaces into artistic areas where communities and creatives can engage in cultural and artistic activities.
The proposed project was presented by Venus Tan, co-chairperson of the Creative Baguio City Council (CBCC) and former director of the Department of Tourism-Cordillera Administrative Region (DOT-CAR) during the regular session of the Baguio City Council on March 27, 2025 for approval by the local legislative body.
This proposal aligns with principles of “creative placemaking”, a globally recognized approach in urban planning that transforms public spaces into cultural and artistic hubs.
Tan defined creative placemaking as the development and activation of spaces where community interaction, cultural expression, and artistic activities take place. She said public parks and historical sites, especially those outside the central Business District (CBD), are the best locations for such creative activities, with the Heritage Hill and Nature Park Garden (formerly the Diplomat Hotel) as the first site for the pilot implementation.
This project will run from April 6 to May 2025, taking place only on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Activities include live performances, interactive workshops, and cultural demonstrations such as weaving, basketry, and carving. The aim is to create an environment where cultural heritage is celebrated and where locals and visitors can engage with the creative community.
The project also seeks to reinforce Baguio City’s status as a UNESCO Creative City. Tan stressed that this initiative is not intended to be commercially driven but primarily to allow artistic expression as well as cultural pride to thrive in the city. She drew parallels to successful international examples for creative placemaking such as the transformation of the Marina Bay area in Singapore and The High Line in New York City which were once underutilized spaces but have been revitalized into thriving hubs for creativity and public engagement.
Engr. Aloysious Mapalo, City Tourism Officer, earlier aid specific committees had already been formed for curation, finance, promotions, and logistics to ensure a well-organized and sustainable implementation.
Mapalo added that the project will not require financial support from the city government. Instead, funding will come from private sponsorships and internal contributions from participating vendors.
The city council expressed support for the project and approved it but requested a report by the end of April for the purpose of evaluating the event’s effectiveness and determining how it was received by the community. The requested report would help the city council assess whether further assistance is needed, particularly in encouraging greater participation.
The city council members also raised concerns about potential complaints from Dominican Hill residents who were previously denied permission to engage in livelihood activities in the area. They suggested incorporating these residents into the creative activities, especially since they had been excluded before. **Jordan G. Habbiling
