Arts & Culture

This Unique Crochet Art Installation is the First of Its Kind in Cebu

Art manifests itself in many forms, and yarn-bombing is just one of them. This art installation is bound to turn heads.

When you think of the word “art”, your thoughts immediately picture out a canvas, different types of brushes and different colored paints. However, it presents many forms, especially in the local scene.

Take for example the art installation by Cebu Crochet Group at the Outlets at Pueblo Verde in Basak, Lapu-Lapu City. It’s part of the Art in the Fork weekend fair, a tryst of all artists and their different forms of art, such as local short films and bands, to dainty necklaces and bracelets on display.

Decorated from the bottom up, the trees located at a mini park adjacent to the food shops are hugged by different pieces of colorful, interlocking loops of yarn and thread. The installation is dubbed as “yarn bombing”, the crochet version of the usual street art and graffiti. It attracts visitors of different ages to a varied display of interesting, quirky and vibrant patterns.

The yarn bomb installation titled Ganchillo Artistico at the Outlets at Pueblo Verde is the first of its kind in Cebu. Adorning three acacia trees, a couple of benches, and lamp posts with crocheted friendly-looking monster plushies, the idea was to incorporate three most common crochet shapes and stitches: doilies or rounds, granny squares and waves or chevron.

“Crochet has always been around us as long as we can remember, (as) we often see beautiful crochet pieces in our homes created by our grandmas, our aunties and moms,” says Sarah Palmares, a crochet artist and one of the people behind the Cebu Crochet Group. She adds that the unique handmade nature of the crochet art is what sets it apart from machine-made knitted materials we see in common stores and boutiques.

Crochet enthusiasts come in all ages, as crochet skills and pattern sharing have been made easier through social media, evidenced by their online presence made possible by the digital age. The importance of the existence of artisan arts like that of crochet—aside from it being used as art pieces—is that it is also used to transform neglected items in the household, such as pieces of tin cans and to turn them into holders for pens or utensils. Moreover, crochet art can also help in patching up and beautifying worn-out pieces of jewelry, such as hanging earrings and necklaces.

As Sarah would narrate, crocheting has been a therapeutic activity for her, a rest from all the hustle at work for the entire day. Bernadette Dy, another crochet enthusiast from the group, recalls her on-and-off relationship with crochet since she was 18 years old. She rekindled this relationship when she had a delicate pregnancy that restricted her to bed rest, when crochet came into the picture and helped give her a sense of purpose despite the stress. When it comes to personalized and heartwarming gift ideas for family and friends, Yasmin Jumao-as sees crochet-making and crafting as a best friend during gift-giving seasons.

In line with the launching of the yarn bombing art installation, the crochet enthusiasts from the Cebu Crochet Group also imparted their knowledge and skills of the versatile craft during the basic crochet-making workshops. As the installation was done through teamwork, skill, and motivation to make the most out of the craft, the group proved that there is more we can make out of crochet than the usual blankets, table cloth and coasters.

When asked for her inspiration behind the art of crochet, Sarah reponds, “To finish something created by your own hand is gratifying. It’s giving a part of yourself to each piece you make, as you touch each strand of yarn as you work.”

Crochet, like all types of art, speaks the artists’ language and is a mirror of their thoughts. It’s an expression of the group’s passion for the craft, continuing to prove the creativity of the Cebuano.

Related Topics:art Cebu Crochet Group Crochet Outlets at Pueblo Verde Yarn Bombing

Up Next

Five Looks for the Stylish Moms in Your Life

Don't Miss

Take Me To Summer, Havaianas

720 Comments

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Arts & Culture

Art Beat: Scenes From the Manila Art Fair 2026

photography by Doro Barandino

“Art is unpredictable and goes in different directions. I have no idea. I would rather live the present moment.” —Bencab, National artist of the Philippines.

Vinta by Protegeri, collaboration art piece by Leeroy New, Solenn Heuseff and Vito Selma

Q&A with interior decorator and jewellery designer Doro Barandino

Which of the participating art galleries had the most unified and exciting theme?
Leon Gallery had the most amazingly put-together collection. Though the gallery engaged various artists, the overall visual effect felt like one unified theme. Leon Gallery used a sack-like cloth (most likely raw linen) as the background for the booth, and it brought the collection together. It had an old-world feel in a chaotic setting.

Who were the artists that were the most visually engaging?
The works of Carlo Tanseco were definitely my favorite. The artist used an eye chart (Snellen chart) as the background for the image of Dr. Jose Rizal giving us the middle finger—such an “in your face” message. The concept of our national hero as a modern-day provocateur was a wake-up call to everyone. Very subversive and underground material. I was also attracted to the works of Japanese artist Tadashi Kogure; they’re very architectural.

Was the choice of venue and its layout helpful in engaging the whole art vibe?
What I noticed was that the masters like Juan Luna, Fernando Amorsolo, and Fernando Zóbel still attracted the most viewers at the art fair. People are naturally drawn to their masterful strokes and historical significance, or perhaps these artworks are not readily accessible for public viewing. Or maybe those booths that carried the masters’ works were strategically positioned right after the registrar.

The choice of venue at Center One was a good move—it created a total art vibe. Manila Art Fair remains the premier art fair in the country today, showcasing the finest modern and contemporary art while offering curated projects and immersive installations.

The Standard by Thai artist Pitchapa at the Triangular durational, performance art.

Bato Bato sa Langit by Filipino artist Carlo Tanseco

Stocking Proportions Menumpuk Proporsi by Indonesian artist Labadiou Piko

Untitled by Indonesian artist Yunizar

Filipiny, wool tapestry by national artist of the Philippines,Federico Aguilar Alcuaz.

Untitled by German artist Valentin Elias Renner

Interior decorator and jewellery designer Doro Barandino is also a regular contributor for zee.ph

Arts & Culture

Visayas Art Fair Year 5: Infinite Perspectives, Unbound Creativity

by Jing Ramos

This year’s Visayas Art Fair marks its 5th anniversary, celebrating the theme “Infinite Perspectives: Unbound Creativity.” The fair continues its mission of bridging creativity, culture, and community in the country. This milestone edition strengthens its partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and expands collaborations with regional art organizations and collectives—reinforcing its role as a unifying platform for Philippine art.

VAF5 features the works of Gil Francis Maningo, honoring the mastery of his gold leaf technique on opulent portraits of the Visayan muse Carmela, reflecting spiritual awareness.

Gil Francis Maningo is celebrated for his gold leaf technique.

Gil Francis Maningo’s recurring theme of his Visayan muse “Carmela”.

Another featured artist is Danny Rayos del Sol, whose religious iconography of Marian-inspired portraits offers a profound meditation on the sacred and the sublime. This collaboration between two visual artists sparks a dialogue on the Visayan spirit of creativity and resilience. Titled “Pasinaya,” this dual showcase explores gold leaf as a medium of light and transcendence.

Artist Danny Reyes del Sol

Danny Reyes del Sol’s religious iconography.

Now in its fifth year, the Visayas Art Fair has influenced a community of artists, gallerists, brokers, collectors, museum curators, and art critics—constructing a narrative that shapes how we approach and understand the artist and his work. This combination of factors, destined for popular consumption, illustrates the ways in which art and current culture have found common ground in a milieu enriched by the promise of increased revenue and the growing value of artworks.

Laurie Boquiren, Chairman of the Visayas Art Fair, elaborates on the theme, expressing a vision that celebrates the boundless imagination of unique artistic voices:

“Infinite Perspectives speaks of the countless ways artists see, interpret, and transform the world around them—reminding us that creativity knows no single point of view. Unbound Creativity embodies freedom from convention and controlled expression, allowing every artist to explore and experiment without borders.”

Laurie Boquiren, Chairman of the Visayas Art Fair has tirelessly championed the creative arts for the past five years.

Arts & Culture

Kultura. Kapital. Kasalukuyan: Art that Speaks of Today

by Jose Carlos G. Campos, Board of Trustees National Museum of the Philippines

The National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) recently teamed up to prove that money isn’t just for counting—it’s also for curating! Their latest joint exhibition, Kultura. Kapital. Kasalukuyan: Contemporary Art from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Collection, is now open, and it’s a real treat for art lovers and culture buffs alike.

On display are gems from the BSP’s contemporary art collection, including masterpieces by National Artist Benedicto Cabrera (Bencab), along with works by Onib Olmedo, Brenda Fajardo, Antipas Delotavo, Edgar Talusan Fernandez, and many more. Some of the artists even showed up in person—Charlie Co, Junyee, Imelda Cajipe-Endaya, Demi Padua, Joey Cobcobo, Leonard Aguinaldo, Gerardo Tan, Melvin Culaba—while others sent their family representatives, like Mayumi Habulan and Jeudi Garibay. Talk about art running in the family!

Deputy Governor General of the BSP, Berna Romulo Puyat

Chairman of NMP, Andoni Aboitiz

The BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr. and members of the Monetary Board joined the event, alongside former BSP Governor Amando M. Tetangco, Jr., Ms. Tess Espenilla (wife of the late Nestor A. Espenilla, Jr.), and the ever-graceful former Central Bank Governor Jaime C. Laya, who gave a short but enlightening talk about the BSP art collection.

From the NMP, Chairman Andoni Aboitiz, Director-General Jeremy Barns, and fellow trustees NCCA Chairman Victorino Mapa Manalo, Carlo Ebeo, and Jose Carlos Garcia-Campos also graced the occasion. Chairman Aboitiz expressed gratitude to the BSP for renewing its partnership, calling the exhibition a shining example of how financial institutions can also enrich our cultural wealth.

Former Governor of BSP Jaime Laya

Governor of BSP Eli M. Remona and Chairman of NMP Board Andoni Aboitiz

Artist Charlie Co

Before the official launch, a special media preview was held on 5 August, hosted by BSP Deputy Governor Bernadette Romulo-Puyat and DG Jeremy Barns. It gave lucky guests a sneak peek at the collection—because sometimes, even art likes to play “hard to get.”

The exhibition Kultura. Kapital. Kasalukuyan will run until November 2027 at Galleries XVIII and XIX, 3/F, National Museum of Fine Arts. Doors are open daily, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. So if you’re looking for something enriching that won’t hurt your wallet (admission is free!), this is your sign to visit. After all, the best kind of interest is cultural interest.