Creative Baguio: What Exactly Is A Creative City?

Amidst the Panagbenga Flower Festival of 2018, Baguio City also launched itself as a Creative City under the United Nations Creative Cities Network. As part of the launch, a Creative Baguio Exhibition Hub was opened at People’s Park. The hub showcased each of the main crafts that Baguio is famed for: weaving, carving and sculpture, silver craft, visual arts and performing arts.

From Feb. 10 to 24, Baguio locals and tourists alike got to see firsthand how these crafts were made by local artists and artisans. Performing artists in music and dance also gave daily performances to the delight of passers-by and those who sit down at People’s Park to chill.

What Exactly Is A Creative City?

According to the United Nations Creative Cities Network, a creative city is a city where creativity is one of the driving forces for sustainable development. Creativity fosters creative industries which in turn are expected to fuel local development that is sustainable.

Baguio was named a creative city for Crafts and Folk Art. In particular, the following crafts were recognized: weaving, wood carving and sculpture, visual arts and silver craft. For the longest time, these crafts have indeed grown local industries in Baguio City.

The title of Creative City is granted not just out of recognition for what has been achieved. As the Creative Council of Baguio mentioned during the Feb. 10 launch, this is just the beginning because the city still has to prove that it is worthy of the name.

How Can Baguio Become A True Creative City?

Regardless of the title, Baguio has been a haven for creatives. What has been lacking is a creative synergy, a coming together of all creatives. The Creative Council for Crafts and Folk Art which was formed a month after the designation is composed of artists and artisans not only from the crafts scene but also artists from music and literature.

Multi-awarded indie filmmaker and artist Kidlat Tahimik, a native of Baguio, cited how government does not consult artists when it comes to matters involving culture and heritage as stated in a report by the Inquirer. He called it a “disconnect between the artist community and local government,” which he raised during a meeting of creatives in December.

UP Baguio Chancellor Raymond Rovillos, who is one of those who pushed for Baguio City’s inclusion in the network, is hopeful that an ordinance that will set the policies for Creative Baguio will help establish healthy communication and collaboration between the creative council and the local government.

Role Of Local Government

Whether we like it or not, local government plays a key role in making Creative Baguio a reality. Through the leadership of Mayor Mauricio Domogan, the Committee on Tourism led by Councilor Elmer Datuin is working on an ordinance that will outline the strategies and processes to make Baguio a creative economy.

The local government, however, should take heed of what artists have to say, and not fall into the same trap of lack of consultations. After all, what is a creative economy without the creatives?