Metro's Top 10 Picks at Likha 4

<p><strong>LIKHA 4</strong> highlights the rich artistry and cultural heritage of the Philippines by showcasing the talents of artisans from across the nation. It is spearheaded by the Office of the First Lady, <strong>Liza Araneta Marcos</strong>, and is meant to celebrate this year’s Independence Day through creativity, collaboration, and culture. This year&#x27;s LIKHA 4 features 30 new artisans mixed into LIKHA Graduates, and other local designers. </p><div><strong>Here are Metro&#x27;s top 10 picks from the showcase (in no particular order): </strong></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1749313421061att.hYyFQcdBcYAoTx3bgqWegonGbe6tV4osNbG2WR2sIns.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Lagang</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p><strong></strong>1. <strong>LAGANG</strong> is a traditional craft from Cebu, in which pieces of a chambered nautical shell are cut, carved, and formed into elegant flowers; originally assembled to decorate massive carrozas, the flowers are now fashioned into corsages, or collages in shadow boxes with vintage images and framed.</p><p>2. <strong>BANWA</strong> pens, crafted from natural materials such as narra burl, abalone shells, and foraged wood into fountain pens, gel pens, and ballpoint pens. The artisan was inspired by his wife’s love for calligraphy, and he taught himself to craft handmade pens.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1749313515843banwa.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Banwa | Photo by Leah Puyat</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>3. <strong>CHARMING BALDEMOR STUDIOS</strong> is a studio dedicated to exploring the possibilities of wood carving and promoting original artists.</p><p>4. <strong>TOMAS RAMIREZ MIRRORS AND METAL CRAFTS </strong>keeps alive the craft of hammered silver and fashioning them into home accessories inspired by history, such as the <em>salakot</em> and vintage candle holders. </p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17493136904820-02-06-4ffc94e46399c8419b1351f32ad485226ce8d7169a1406a892cec1f0365dc16a_827c6f1e6d46191f.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Charming Baldemor</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>5. <strong>SAGADA POTTERY BY SIEGRID BANGYAY. </strong>The art of pottery was brought to the mountains of Sagada by American missionaries, and Siegrid added her own artistry and social consciousness to the craft. She works with persons deprived of liberty, who collaborate with the assembly of handmade coffee cups and mugs. She also elevated pottery into sculpture.</p><p>6. <strong>CADIWA HANDICRAFTS </strong>is a Negrense collective that assists former rebels to rejoin their families and sustain livelihoods.</p><p>7. <strong>NITO HANDICRAFTS </strong>highlights products<strong></strong> all made by artisans from the ATA tribe, the indigenous people of Negros, who have updated hats and baskets.</p><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1749313820160likha 4 foro de intramuros 17.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Tomas Ramirez Mirros &amp; Metal Crafts | Photo by Giselle Interior</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>8. <strong>PALA’WAN MASTER WOOD CARVERS</strong>,<strong> </strong>artisan Simpio Mata is a fifth-generation wood carver, and he combines traditional and contemporary carving motifs, using them on the wooden scabbards of knives, sourced from native Palawan trees.</p><p>9. <strong>LAKUB </strong>highlights<strong></strong> bamboo containers carved by the Maranao of Lake Lanao. This is a craft that died and was revived by Omelcair Domangcag. The dots and lines symbolize nature, and the geometric shapes symbolize unity, stability, and harmony. </p><p>10. <strong>SAMA TEPO </strong>is all about<strong></strong> woven mats from Sarangani. Mariam Mutelib learned weaving at the age of 10 and continues to incorporate her own creative inputs into traditional mat techniques.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1749314314577ac44c788340972b825fe84f8b3a390a1.jpeg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Sagada pottery</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Photos courtesy of <strong>LIKHA 4</strong></p>

<p>Here are the brands and creations that caught our eyes at this year's LIKHA. </p>

Here are the brands and creations that caught our eyes at this year's LIKHA.

Metro's Top 10 Picks From 'LIKHA 4: Likha Ko, Lahi Ko' Artistry and Cultural Showcase

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Metro's Top 10 Picks From 'LIKHA 4: Likha Ko, Lahi Ko' Artistry and Cultural Showcase

Leah Puyat

Published Jun 08, 2025 12:40 AM PHT

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Updated Jun 08, 2025 09:26 AM PHT

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