Advocacy-driven event brings together 20-30 local artisans for immersive marketplace celebrating Cordillera craftsmanship
BAGUIO CITY – Mandëko Kito, Baguio’s first homegrown curated craft fair, returns this December for its 9th edition, bringing together traditional and contemporary makers in a celebration of local craftsmanship and culture. The event runs through December 22, with its final weekend scheduled for December 19-22. The venue for this run is Scout Hill, Camp John Hay, near the picnic grounds and Bell House.
The event, organized by the Baguio Arts and Crafts Collective, Inc. (BACCI), will feature 20 to 30 participating artisans, makers, and creative enterprises representing Baguio’s UNESCO craft pillars: weaving, woodcraft, and silversmithing.
“Mandëko Kito is more than a place to buy and sell—it’s an experience where makers come together to share their stories and creative processes with the community,” said Rommel Marcelo, Executive Director of BACCI.
From Pandemic Relief to Cultural Platform
Born during the height of the pandemic to support local artists and artisans, Mandëko Kito has evolved into an inclusive platform that bridges established and emerging creatives. The fair gives makers space not just to showcase their work but to engage directly with visitors through live demonstrations, conversations, and hands-on activities.
This year’s edition centers on the theme of continuity and renewal, bringing together long-time partners and new collaborators, traditional and contemporary products, and creators from different backgrounds and generations.
What to Expect
Visitors can explore locally made, handcrafted products perfect for thoughtful holiday gifting, including:
- Handwoven textiles and basketry
- Jewelry, woodcraft, and silversmithing
- Crystals and pottery
- Natural care products and slow-made home goods
- Resin works, paintings, and toys
- Curated food and beverage products inspired by local culture
Live craft demonstrations include ikat dyeing and silversmithing showcases, along with hands-on workshops designed for different age groups. The event opened on December 5 with cultural performances, and continues to welcome buskers and independent performers throughout its run.
New Venue, Wider Reach
After eight editions hosted primarily at educational institutions—including Saint Louis School Center, University of Baguio, UP Baguio, and Berkeley School—this year’s fair steps outside the campus setting to engage a broader public while maintaining its educational and cultural mission.
“For eight editions, we partnered with schools to reach students and immerse them in local craft traditions. This year, we’re expanding our reach to a wider market while staying rooted in our advocacy,” Marcelo explained.
Advocacy at the Core
What sets Mandëko Kito apart from typical commercial fairs is its advocacy-driven approach. The event emphasizes sustainability, conscious consumption, fair livelihoods for artisans, and intergenerational knowledge-sharing.
“Our goal isn’t profit but genuine support for the local creative industry,” Marcelo said. “We’re working to position Mandëko Kito as a supplier’s market, opening opportunities for artisans to engage with designers, retailers, and institutions.”
BACCI, a non-profit organization founded in 2017, played an instrumental role in positioning Baguio as the first UNESCO Creative City for Crafts and Folk Arts in the Philippines. The collective strengthens cultural and creative communities in the Cordillera through projects, programs, and partnerships focused on artisan support, craft innovation, knowledge exchange, and market development.
Special Holiday Offerings
Many partner artisans will present limited-edition holiday products, including Christmas ornaments, curated gift sets, textiles, and home décor—all locally handmade and culturally inspired.
Marcelo encourages both tourists and locals to make Mandëko Kito part of their holiday plans. “It’s a unique space to experience our creative community, support local livelihoods, and bring home meaningful pieces that tell the story of Baguio, the Cordilleras, and our artists,” he said.
For locals, the fair represents something even deeper. “Mandëko Kito is a celebration of who we are as a community. Supporting it means uplifting our own artisans, preserving our culture, and passing on the value of local craftsmanship to future generations.”
