FESTIVITIES are set at the Diplomat Hotel.
The ruins of the dilapidated and rumored to be haunted space will become a venue for the November international arts festival by the Creative City Council.
Councilor Mylen Yaranon said the Baguio Creative International Arts Festival in November will feature an expo where international and local crafts will be showcased.
"The local government unit (LGU) plays an important role because of its commitment to the Unesco Creative Cities Network designation as City of Crafts and Folk Arts. The creative economy had always been there, with the artists and artisans forming this existing creativity in Baguio. With the LGU's commitment to Unesco, culture and creativity is now the driving force for our city's sustainable development and urban redevelopment. Collaboration between the LGU and the creative sector should be achieved so that we can sustain our designation as City of Crafts and Folk Arts," Yaranon said.
There has been three meetings for the use of the Diplomat area with the city government and the Baguio Arts and Creatives Circuit, she said.
"Repairs are being done by CBAO (City Buildings and Architecture Office) in preparation for the festival already," Yaranon added.
The lady councilor said funding for the international event will come from the city and Department of Tourism.
Kidlat Tahimik will be curating the November festival.
She said CBAO will work hand in hand with United Architects of the Philippines, Kidlat Tahimik and other artists.
Yaranon added she has filed a resolution for the rehabilitation and the adaptive reuse of the Diplomat Heritage Hill.
"We just approved it for PPP but with the condition NCCA guidelines should be followed, and that it should be used as a Creative Zone," she added.
Sectoral representatives on the creative council include Alec Mapalo for performing arts, National Artist for Visual Arts Benedicto Cabrera, Kidlat Tahimik for film, Gilbert Gano for sculpture and carving, Romel Marcelo for metal crafts, Laida Lim for weaving and Frank Cimatu for literature.
