First Lady Marie Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos spearheaded the opening of the much-anticipated LIKHA 4, a celebration of Filipino creativity, craftsmanship and culture that the public can enjoy for free.
No pre-registration required. Walk-ins are allowed.
Running from June 6 until June 8 at the Foro de Intramuros along Anda Street, the event serves as a significant highlight of this year’s Independence Day festivities.
LIKHA 4 is open to the public to engage with the creative process, witness live demonstrations, and purchase locally made, heritage-rich products.
The First Lady, who led the opening ceremony, thanked all the people who came and took part in the event, which will take place from June 6 to 8, 2025, a key highlight of this year’s 127th Independence Day celebration.
“Today, we formally open Likha which is part of our Independence Day celebrations,” the First Lady said in her speech.
“Welcome to Fora de Intramuros, which we recently converted into a community space to honor our culture and our heritage.”
Hands-on in the preparations, the First Lady shared that the day before the formal opening, she went around the venue to see every stall.
“I checked on the place. And in stall number nine…there’s this family from Sarangani,” the First Lady said, pointing to the area.
“And I was talking to them, and they told me they walked eight hours from the mountains of Sarangani, down to the city, and then took a bus, another I don’t know how many hours, took the plane to come here.”
“It’s their first time to come to Manila, so I really want to say thank you for joining us,” the First Lady cheerfully declared.
The First Lady then encouraged the people in the venue, “Let’s give a big round of applause to our weavers, our basket makers, our artisans, all of you who joined us. Maraming-marami pong salamat. I hope you come back again next year. And on that happy note, time to shop!”
Now on its fourth edition, LIKHA—short for “Likhaing Filipino”—serves as a vibrant platform that assembles the country’s finest artisans, local designers, and heritage advocates.
This year’s edition features 30 new artisans joining returning LIKHA graduates and established designers, showcasing a vibrant mix of traditional craftsmanship and modern creativity.
Earlier, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to preserving indigenous culture and traditions as rapid technological advances continue.
LIKHA is more than an exhibit—it’s a movement dedicated to empowering local artisans and preserving the richness of Filipino heritage. The initiative aims to spark greater appreciation for the ingenuity and resilience behind Filipino craftsmanship.
Through creativity, collaboration, and cultural pride, LIKHA 4 encourages Filipinos to support homegrown talent and help safeguard the legacy of Filipino artistry this Independence Day. | PND
