This year’s celebration of Independence Day becomes even more exciting and meaningful with the opening of the fourth edition of Likha. Spearheaded by the Office of the First Lady, Louise Araneta-Marcos, Likha is a highly anticipated event that celebrates the Philippines’ rich artistry and cultural heritage by showcasing the talents of local artisans from across the country.
Likha 4: These artisans are keeping the Philippines' age-old crafts alive
From paper maché horses to handwoven hats, Likha 4 honors the living traditions of the Philippine islands

(From left) Deputy Social Secretary Dina Tantoco; Len Cabili of Filip + Inna; Al Valenciano of Balay ni Atong; Dr. Eric Zerrudo, NCCA chairperson; Simpio Mata of Palaw'an Master Woodcarver; Siegrid Bangyay of SAGADA Pottery; and Ar. Mico Manalo during the press preview of Likha 4 at Foro, Intramuros, Manila last Wednesday, June 4, 2025.
Happening from June 6 to June 8, 2025, at Foro de Intramuros, Likha 4 features 78 booths—a mix of new artisans, Likha graduates, and other local makers. The Foro transforms into a vibrant space where visitors can experience the finest crafts each region has to offer, from Sagada’s handmade pottery and the nearly forgotten art of pagtataka (paper maché) of Laguna to the labor-intensive nito hats of Negros. The three-day event serves as a platform where master craftsmen, emerging talents, local designers, and consumers can come together for meaningful dialogue—and possibly, new collaborations.
As artisans venture beyond their comfort zones to bring their work to Manila, Likha 4 offers a unique chance to meet the makers behind the crafts and hear the stories that shaped them. Here are a few of them:

CaDIWA members Rigelio Suetas and Jojo Balaod
The crafter of Negros Occidental
We often hear about government programs that provide livelihood opportunities for former rebels, but rarely do we meet the actual people behind these success stories. One of them is Jojo Balaod, at Booth 13.
His booth showcases the creations of the Camingawan Diversified Workers Association (CaDIWA), a group composed of former rebels who now craft products using local materials like pandan, udyong, and nito. Jojo, who learned the art of nito hat-making from his grandmother, shares that weaving a single hat takes three days. Gathering and preparing the raw materials can take up to seven days. Each hat, therefore, is the result of painstaking labor, deep passion, and exceptional skill.
“I was a former member of the New People’s Army or NPA. Now, I’m part of a group that teaches other former members how to make products from native materials with the help and support of government agencies,” Jojo tells Manila Bulletin Lifestyle in Filipino. “Ginagawa namin ‘to para mahikayat namin yung mga dati naming kasama sa NPA na bumaba na ng bundok at magbalik-loob sa ating pamahalaan—para hindi na sila mag-isip na bumalik doon (We do this to encourage our former comrades in the mountains to come back and rejoin society—so they won’t even think of returning to that life).”
“My fellow members make all the products you see here,” he adds. “And we’ll continue using native materials to create, so we can give our children and families a better future.”

Norma Hammon
The PWD weaver of Basilan
They say creativity knows no limits—and that’s certainly true for Norma Hammon, a Yakan weaver from Basilan. At age three, Norma was affected by the polio virus, which left her with a permanent disability. But that didn’t stop her from mastering traditional Yakan weaving. Since 1997, for 28 years now, she has not only been weaving but also mentoring the youth in her community, ensuring the Bunga Sama design of Yakan weaving is passed on for generations.
“I can no longer walk. But even if I weave for hours every day, I don’t feel any usual pain—maybe because I’ve grown used to it,” she says in Filipino. “Sa mga pupunta sa Likha, sana po bumili kayo para may hanapbuhay ako. Sa amin kasi sa Basilan, mahirap maghanapbuhay. Para makabenta, bibiyahe ako ng malayo. Sasakay ako ng motor kahit pilay ako. Tapos sasakay pa ako ng barko papuntang Zamboanga para doon makabenta ng mga gawa ko (To those going to Likha, please buy from us so I can earn a living. In Basilan, it's hard to find income opportunities. Just to sell my products, I travel far—riding a motorcycle even with my disability, then boarding a ship to Zamboanga just to make a sale).”
To see her work, visit Booth 24, under the name Bunga Sama Yakan Tennun. You may also contact her at 0963 238 0013.

Mother-daughter team Jillyn and Sherrylyn Sebello
The magtataka of Paete, Laguna
Paete, Laguna is well known as the Carving Capital of the Philippines. But beyond woodcarving, there’s another traditional art in Paete that’s in danger of disappearing—the art of taka, or handmade paper maché figures that reflect the town’s rich cultural legacy.
Mother-daughter team Jillyn and Sherrylyn Sebello, at Booth 5, are doing their best to keep the tradition alive. They produce taka pieces using wooden molds, turning recycled paper into art. Beyond being a business, taka-making is also a way for them to bond as a family. Their signature design is a hand-painted red horse adorned with intricate patterns—a design passed down from Sherrylyn’s grandmother, which she now strives to preserve.
“I want to pass it on to the next generation so this art won't vanish,” says Sherrylyn. “Sa panahon ngayon, ang tingin nila sa pagtataka, maduming gawain sa kamay. May narinig nga ako na nagsabi, ‘Magtataka ka pa? Mag-aral ka na lang.’ Kung kita ang pag-uusapan, mas mababa talaga kumpara sa may natapos. Pero kung sa tradisyon at ganda, ang sarap ipagmalaki sa ibang bayan (Nowadays, people see paper maché as dirty work. I even heard someone say, ‘Why do that? Just finish school instead.’ If we’re talking income, yes, it earns less than an office job. But in terms of tradition and beauty, it’s something to proudly showcase to the world).”
Likha 4 is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Foro de Intramuros, along Anda Street, Manila City. Admission is free. To learn more, visit @likha.community on Instagram.