Threads of pride: First Lady’s LIKHA 5 empowers grassroots artisans
This signature project of the First Lady serves as a robust economic engine dedicated to championing the country’s micro, small and medium enterprises.
The fifth edition of LIKHA, themed “Likha Ko, Lahi Ko,” successfully concluded its vibrant three-day run 4 October 2026 at its new permanent home, the LIKHA Tent within the Likhang Filipino Exhibition Halls along Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City.
Born out of the visionary advocacy of First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, this landmark initiative stands as one of her most important passion projects, designed to preserve Philippine cultural legacy and elevate it to the global stage. The exposition brought together more than 100 master weavers, carvers and crafters from across the archipelago, bridging ancestral heritage with contemporary design to ensure the continuity of traditional knowledge.
NATIONAL Commission for Culture and the Arts chairman Eric Zerrudo.
TOURISM Undersecretary Stanley Ng.
THE First Lady and the entire participating Likha community.
RODERICK Wols, Ambassador of Netherlands, with wife Nene.
H.E. Constance See Sin Yuan (Ambassador of Singapore to the Philippines), H.E. Anna Pernilla Ferry (Ambassador of Sweden to the Philippines) and H.E. Yuliia Fediv (Ambassador of Ukraine to the Philippines).
MARITESS Pineda, TESDA Secretary Jose Francisco ‘Kiko’ Bantug Benitez and Mita Rufino.
MICHAEL Leyva, Patrick Rosas, Paul Cabral and Maricris Zobel.
DEPED Secretary Sonny Angara.
SPECIAL Envoy of the President to the People’s Republic of China for Trade, Investment and Tourism Benito ‘Benny’ Techico.
VICTORINO Manalo, Cedie Vargas, Ginger Rojas and Department of Trade and Industry Assistant Secretary Al Valenciano.
More than a mere cultural display, this signature project of the First Lady serves as a robust economic engine dedicated to championing the country’s micro, small and medium enterprises. By creating a direct pipeline between regional creative entrepreneurs and global design markets, LIKHA ensures 100 percent of sales proceeds go directly to the artisans.
While the physical fair has ended, the First Lady’s mission continues year-round through permanent showrooms aimed at solidifying a sustainable local creative economy.