Likha- Philippine creativity at its best

I've always been fond of our native crafts. For our newly built house in Lucena in the 70s, I went to Baguio to buy Ifugao baskets and scrounged around in Ermita for artwork and local weavings which I had framed and mounted on our walls.

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Years ago, at the Negros Trade Fair, I bought handmade lamps and lounging chairs which we still enjoy up to now. Every time I come across something uniquely Filipino, I'd buy an item, a shirt, a dress for my wife, something for the living room table, and all sorts of native stuff that fascinate me.

Through a classmate's posting, I realized Likha 4 at the newly opened Foro de Intramuros, was on its last day Sunday. So, we, being lovers of things native and artisanal, swung over to Intramuros. We were not disappointed.

The venue was a refreshing vision of white, which serves as the ideal backdrop for the plethora of great, colorful finds and visual delights. Over a hundred artisans displayed their wares. Scanning the entire area, we went from booth to booth, delighting in the creativity brought together in this air-conditioned, spacious arena.

There were traditional arts and crafts: brass gongs, jars and kulintangs from Muslim Mindanao, bulols, jars and pottery from the Cordilleras, traditional weaving from Ilocos (inabel), Ifugao (ikat), Lake Sebu (T'nalak), Maguindanao (Inaul), Kalinga and many others. Beautiful handcrafted jewelry, furniture and home décor abounded.