BAGUIO CITY – This year’s Baguio Flower Festival will showcase Baguio City’s rich culture and creativity via the “Baguio Creative Hub” project of the Baguio Creative Council.
Councilor Elmer Datuin, Panagbenga executive committee chair, said the activity slated on Feb. 10-24 at the People’s Park will be devoted solely to showcasing the “best-of-the-best” folk arts and crafts products of the city in keeping with the festival’s theme ““Celebration of Culture and Creativity.”
The theme is a tribute to Baguio City’s creative status as member of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Creative Cities Network, the first Philippine city to attain such.
Adelaida Lim of the BCC and University of the Philippines Baguio Chancellor Raymundo Rovillos submitted to Mayor Mauricio Domogan the project concept for the Baguio Creative Hub project thanking the mayor for “being open and receptive to the suggestions of the artists and creative sectors in enhancing the distinguished Panagbenga.”
“We assure you that the (project) will truly be a showcase of our creativity and innovation as well as a fitting public declaration of our designation as UNESCO Creative City,” they told the mayor.
According to the proponents, the project will carry the theme, “Creative Baguio” and will serve as a “temporary exhibition showcase of the best artworks in crafts and folk arts of the city and the Cordilleras” bringing together “Baguio and the Cordillera’s artists and artisans in their various disciplines and creative expressions, art pieces and installations in one venue.”
It will be housed in “pavilion-like structures with artistically executed design and professionally curated with all exhibition pieces and merchandise vetted.”
It will include “merchandising of vetted art, artisanal and creative products with animations and cultural dances.”
The opening and unveiling ceremonies will have appropriate programs.
During the opening program, they intend to invite the Diplomatic Corps and unveil the official logo of the Baguio Creative City as done by national artist Benjamin Cabrera or BenCab.
Datuin said the project will be jointly funded by the City Government and the Dept. of Tourism. **
Aileen P. Refuerzo
