Baguio artist sets Guinness record with giant mandala

BAGUIO CITY — The Baguio migrant, who became celebrated for producing giant crocheted mandalas, has set a Guinness World Record. 

Adelaida Guia was notified by email on Thursday that she had officially set the record for single-handedly crocheting a massive mandala with a total area of 29 square meters or about 6 meters in diameter. “My five children Ezekiel, Jeniel, Danielli, Azriel and Giddiel are super happy for me,” she told the Inquirer on Friday.

A former call center employee in Manila before she, her husband Philip, and their brood of aspiring artists migrated to Baguio in 2016, Guia first caught the attention of former Inquirer Baguio lensman EV Espiritu in 2022 when she began displaying her huge mandalas along downtown Session Road. 

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READ: In Baguio, mandala artist knits for world recordThe summer capital’s main street used to close on Sundays to allow tradesmen a venue for their crafts and make up for losses incurred during the coronavirus lockdowns. 

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Mandala is a Sanskrit term for “circle” and has eastern religious connotations. But Guia’s products are inspired by American crochet artist Helen Shrimpton; she learned to improve her crochet techniques by watching the artist through social media. 

Guia earned admirers last year when, in full view of residents and tourists at Burnham Park’s Rose Garden, she crocheted what is now her Guinness Record piece, called “Wishing Star.” At the time, she set out to produce a 223-inch mandala. 

But official measurements on January 22 by third-party validators, who were brought in to document her bid for the Guinness World Record, far exceeded her target. The rather heavy mandala had an area of 29 square meters with a 6-meter diameter. 

“Wishing Star” was wide enough to accommodate 18 people lying down. 

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READ: Session Road’s giant mandalas a head-turner, but they cost a fortune

The road to the Guinness World Record had been a struggle, according to Guia. She had begun crocheting in July 2024, but had a minor stroke in August. She resumed her work in May last year when the Inquirer encountered her at the park. 

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Guia said it took 69 days to complete “Wishing Star.”

She has been an active member of the Baguio Creative Council, which was formed after the mountain city was designated in 2017 as the country’s first Creative City by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization for its rich crafts and folk art. 

Guia’s artisan craft store with Philip, called Abiakak, is also being mentored by the Social Innovation Laboratory and Business Inclusion (Silbi) of the University of the Philippines Baguio, which released this statement: “Adelaida’s extraordinary achievement is the culmination of years of creativity, patience, craftsmanship, and perseverance. It is not only a personal triumph for Adelaida, but also a celebration shared with her family and ABIAKAK, whose collective effort, encouragement, and dedication have been integral to bringing this record-breaking work to life.” 

READ: Baguio’s 29-meter mandala awaits Guinness nod

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Abiakak is the reverse of the word “Kakaiba” (unusual or uncommon), which Guia said aptly described her family’s craft./coa