Arko Ni Apo

Art enthusiast? Arko ni Apo is a place worth visiting, it is located right across Tam-Awan Village in Baguio City. Going to Baguio once or twice a year is part of my family's travel itinerary. Last December's trip was worth it, having met the master - Ben-Hur Villanueva.

Sir Ben-Hur personally tends to tourists, both local and foreign.

Should you wish to buy artworks or meet the master in person, visit their website and schedule an appointment: http://arkoniapo.multiply.com/

Tam-Awan Village in 2011

Our first visit to Tam-Awan Village was in 2008. My husband, having penchant for wood carvings, art and paintings, love this place so much. So we've decided to revisit Tam-Awan this year.

A lot has changed, first of, in 2008 we were greeted and toured by a guide but none this year. The place looks a bit lonely than our last trip. The bamboo bridge that our kids love, was not there anymore. It's forgivable, because Typhoon Pepeng hit Baguio badly last year.

The beautiful huts needs total repair

The many wood cravings that were scattered around the place are fewer now.
Though certain things never changed, like when men (and children too!) wants to play pretend, and look crazy on photos...
...women can still pose and take as many photos as they want.

Tam-Awan Village may not be as beautiful as when our first trip. Arts and paintings may have vanished when Typhoon Pepeng hit, but the spirit of this place will live on. Still worth visiting, I must add.

A bonus, accidentally meeting a neighbor and a friend, Gerry Giolagon, whom I last saw some 25 years ago.

Tam-Awan Village in 2008

This Tam-Awan Village trip was in 2008. It is a bit hard to locate Tam-Awan Village especially on first visit, but once found, it’s all worth the trouble of finding it. Tam-awan is located in 366-C Pinsao Proper, Baguio City.

This is one artist haven you’d better not miss when visiting the City of Pines. Tam-awam means vantage point. On a clear day, one can view the magnificent South China Sea sunset from Tam-awan's vantage point.

Tam-awan Village has become a venue for art exhibits and workshops envisioned to foster a deeper understanding, respect and pride in the cultural heritage of the Cordillera people.

A trip at Tam-Awan is an experience by itself, especially spending it with the whole family. Crossing this bamboo bridge proved to be an exciting trip for our little ones.

" The huts in Tam-awan Village are named after the areas where they come from. From Ifugao, we have the Bangaan Hut, Anaba Hut, Batad Hut, Dukligan Hut, Kinakin Hut, and Nagor Hut. Our Kalinga huts are from Luccong and Bugnay. Except for Bugnay Hut, which serves as one of the village’s galleries, lodgers are accepted in these huts", according to our tourist guide.

Guests gets an opportunity to stay overnight in some of the nipa huts that are available at a certain rate.

Men can play pretend, that of being a savage beasts (LOL)

Women, on the other hand, can pose to their hearts content and

take as many pictures as they want.