So, you’re in Baguio.
One thing you appreciate about it is its artsy culture.
Watercolors in every cafe you visit.
Street painting events on Session Road on weekends.
Hand-painted windows.
Galleries and museums.
Loving it so far?
If yes, the next place on your list should be Ili-Likha Artists’ Village.
It has tons of delights waiting for you, from hand-woven shawls to sumptuous vegan bites.
Want to visit?
Read on.
In this blog, I’ll talk about:
- Fun facts about Ili-Likha Artists’ Village
- What to Expect at Ili-Likha Artists’ Village
- How to Get to Ili-Likha Artists’ Village
- Ili-Likha Artist Villages’ Tips
- And more!
Let’s dive in!
Ili-Likha Artists’ Village Fast Facts
- What: A cool collection of artsy shops built into a giant tree
- Where: Baguio City, next to Session Road
- When: Opening hours depend on individual shops
- How to get there: A brief walk from Burnham Park or Session Road
- Who: Everyone of all ages who loves art!
Ili-Likha Artists’ Village Fun Facts: 3 Things You Didn’t Know About this Art Hub
You know what?
It’s always more interesting to visit a place once you know a little bit about it.
Right?
Glad you agree. 😉
So, here are 3 fun facts about Ili-Likha Artists’ Village to take with you when you visit it.
Ili-Likha Artists’ Village Fun Fact #1: It Was Founded by a National Artist
Ili-Likha Artist Village was founded by National Artist Eric de Guia…
…also known as Kidlat Tahimik (Silent Lightning).
(That’s him in the image above, next to his German wife Katrin de Guia.)
His vision was to create an eco-friendly arts and cultural hub that was both indie and indigenous.
And so, Ili-Likha Artists’ Village was born, with its nooks and crannies filled with sculptures, art, hand-painted souvenirs, and a bite or two of fresh vegan food.
Kidlat Tahimik was born in Baguio and went on to become a famous screenwriter and actor, as well as a National Artist.
If you are curious about his style and work, make sure to give Ili-Likha a visit!
Ili-Likha Artists’ Village Fun Fact #2: The Whole Place Is Made of Recycled Material
Love the environment?
Ili-Likha might be your place.
There’s nothing traditionally structural about the “village.”
Rather, it’s a collection of bridges, walkways, winding staircases, nooks, and crannies…
…all made out of recycled material.
Think fallen tree branches, chipped tiles, and shards of glass.
In fact, the whole place seems like one giant, interconnected treehouse!
If you’ve ever read The Magic Faraway Tree as a child, this place will remind you of it.
Nostalgic much!
Ili-Likha Artists’ Village Fun Fact #3: Ili-Likha Is Three Stories Tall
Entering this place is like stepping into a labyrinth.
You go forward, and the path branches out in one, two, three, or four directions.
There are stairways erupting out of nowhere, winding up into the gloom above.
And guess what?
The Artists’ Village is 3 storeys tall!
It meanders and flows, goes up and down, unexpected and disjointed.
According to its founder, Ili-Likha is “a work in progress.”
It will never fully be “finished,” and artists from all over the world are invited to participate in it its growth and change throughout the years.
What to Expect at Ili-Likha Artists’ Village: There Is Something for Everyone!
So, you’re not an artist.
Can you still enjoy Ili-Likha Artists’ Village?
OF COURSE!
Whether you’re an artist, an art-lover, or simply someone who wants to explore something fresh and unique, you will love the village.
Here are three things to expect when you visit:
What to Expect at Ili-Likha Artists’ Village #1: Lots and Lots of Handmade Items for Sale
Looking for some souvenirs to take home with you after your trip?
Go no further than Ili-Likha Artists’ Village.
In it, you’ll find nook after nook packed with cool, unique handmade items for sale.
Think leather bracelets with chiseled carvings.
Necklaces with cool or haunting pendants.
Hand-woven shawls, scarves, or ponchos.
Postcards of traditional Filipino scenes.
Woven bags.
Leaf-patterned earrings.
The list goes on and on (and on).
If you want to get something you can find nowhere else in the world, you will go crazy for Ili-Likha.
Not into hand-made items?
You should still go.
Go for their food.
Within the village, you will find various shops selling amazing vegan food and fruit shakes.
If it’s only for a snack, make sure to stop by!
What to Expect at Ili-Likha Artists’ Village #2: Unexpected Experiences
Outside the main intricacies of Ili-Likha, we found a quiet spot under the sky and a curtain of tree branches.
There, a little hut with a glowing light drew us in.
A continued motion: a man pushing himself back and forth as he wove a piece of cloth.
We couldn’t help asking him questions.
“How long does it take to weave a single article of clothing?”
“3 to 4 days.”
“How many hours do you spend weaving?”
“Almost the whole day!”
We watched, fascinated.
It was quite amazing.
In a world of readymade items and mass-produced clothing, the art of weaving still exists.
The man smiled at us, but nonchalantly and dismissively, as though speaking to children.
What to Expect at Ili-Likha Artists’ Village #3: Screenings of Filipino Films
If you are lucky enough, your visit to Ili-Likha will coincide with a theater screening.
At the top of the “village,” in a cavernous room, you’ll find a screen set up in front of seats made of recycled wood.
The films are often Filipino Indie, perfect if you’re into cultural stuff.
How to Get to Ili-Likha Artists’ Village
To get to Ili-Likha Artists’ Village, you only need to walk a little way from anywhere on Session Road.
That’s because the artists’ hub is just a few meters away from the bustling main street of Baguio City.
Here’s its exact location on Google Maps:
Don’t take a taxi unless you live further away.
A visit to Ili-Likha Artists’ Village is also great paired with a visit to Burnham Park.
The two are super close to each other, saving you time on your itinerary.
Ili-Likha Artists’ Village Tips: 3 Things to Know Before Visiting
Ili-Likha Artists’ Village is pretty straightforward.
It’s not a place you need massive preparation to visit.
Still, it’s good to go prepared!
Here are 3 tips for your visit there:
Ili-Likha Artists’ Village Tip #1: Bring Some Cash!
When you visit this place, you will be tempted to death to buy anything you lay your eyes on.
I mean, the place is teeming with unique stuff.
My advice?
Go ahead and buy anything you like!
YOLO, right?
But here’s the thing: before you go, make sure to withdraw some cash.
Most vendors at the village don’t accept card payments, and you don’t want to walk away sadly from that trinket you really (REALLY) want to buy!
Ili-Likha Artists’ Village Tip #2: Pair This Visit with Burnham Park
This is what we did, and it was so worth it.
That’s because the two spots are only a few meters from each other, and you can save yourself from going in the same direction twice.
Ili-Likha Artists’ Village Tip #3: Set Aside 2-3 Hours to Visit It
Ili-Likha is great fun.
It’s not a place you want to rush.
Instead, you want to see it fully.
You want to go up and down its patterned chipped-tile staircases.
You want to explore the winding treehouses.
You want to grab a vegan burger and a fresh mango shake or an aromatic cup of coffee.
You want to browse through all the lovely, once-in-a-lifetime handmade finds.
So go on!
Don’t rush.
Don’t step in, take a photo, and run out again.
Stay 2 or 3 hours.
Breathe in the place.
Buy something to remember it by.
Look at the colored glass shards, the old, grayish tree branches, the golden glow from weirdly placed windows.
The longer you stay, the more you’ll love it.
Ili-Likha Artists’ Village: Ready to Visit?
If you’re in Baguio, Ili-Likha Artists’ Village is not a place you should miss.
Whether or not you’re an artist.
Whether or not you even like art.
Why?
It’s part of the culture, having been founded by a Baguio-born artist.
It’s full of amazing souvenirs.
It’s packed with tiny vegan snack and meal bars.
It’s a curiosity, a place of hand-made things in a world that’s increasingly readymade and artificial.
It’s a breathing place from the rushing world, a step into the childhood dream of The Magic Faraway Tree.
Trust me, you will love it!
I’m sure I did. 😉💯🏆