Tam-awan Village
Tam-awan Village is one of Baguio City's "newer" attractions, having been created by the Chunum Foundation in only 1998.
Located at the outskirts of the city, it is an artists colony set amid a charming collection of Ifugao and Kalinga huts.
Getting there is a little tricky but well worth the trip. Once you enter the compound, after paying a minimal entrance fee, you can explore the grounds, which includes an Art Gallery, a Coffee Shop, the different huts and areas used for workshops, among others.
History, Traditions & General Information
Tam-awan in the local idiom means "vantage point," an apt name for a colony of Cordillera Huts that sit on a hillside that affords visitors a magnificent view of the South China Sea on a clear day.
The Chanum Foundation, Inc., started reconstructing Ifugao houses in Baguio with the intention of recreating a native village accessible to those who have not had the chance to explore the different parts of the vast Cordillera region in the Philippines, laying the houses out just like a traditional Cordillera village.
A natural haven for the creative natives, Tam-awan Village became well-known as the headquarters of the famous Filipino national Artist Ben Cabrera, who is always referred to as BenCab, and become the home-base of popular local artists such as Jordan Mangosan, John Frank Sabado and Ged Alangui.
Tam-awan Village is also a popular venue for art exhibits, workshops and other activities that showcase the rich cultural heritage of the Cordillera people.
Arko ni Apo
Right across Tam-awan Village is Philippine sculptor Ben Hur Villanueva's gallery-workshop-cafe and residence, where everyone is welcome to see him and preview his art works.
Having retired to Baguio after 30 years of teaching at the Ateneo de Manila University, Ben Hur Villanueva is a genial, lovely man, generous with his time, knowledge and experience, and simply a wonderful man to get to know.
Here's a short video entitled "Mumbaki," of an Igorot tribal dance, taken at Tam-awan Village in November 2007.
Quick Links
How to Get to Tam-awan Village
By car -- From Burnham Park: Harrison Road-Abanao Road-Naguilian Road. From Naguilian, turn right to Quezon Hill Road 2, which connects to Tacay Road. On Tacay Road, keep going straught till you reach a fork on the road, Take the road on the left and keep going until you reach Tam-Awan Village. .
By taxi cab -- give the driver instructions to take you to Tam-awan Village, Pinsao Proper.
By jeepney -- take the Plaza-Quezon Hill-Tam-awan jeepney or the Long-long via Tam-awan Jeepney from Kayang Street, behing and above the Baguio City Market.
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