What started as a passion for crochet has turned into a Guinness World Record for Baguio-based artist Adelaida Guia.
Guia was informed by email on Thursday, September 17, that she had officially set the record for the largest mandala crocheted by an individual, with her creation measuring 29 square meters or about 6 meters in diameter.
Her five children—Ezekiel, Jeniel, Danielli, Azriel and Giddiel—were among those who celebrated the achievement.
Guia and her husband, Philip, moved with their five children from Manila to Baguio in 2016. Before becoming known for her giant crochet pieces, Guia worked as a call center employee in Manila.
Her intricate mandalas began attracting attention in 2022 when she displayed them along Session Road, where residents and tourists got a glimpse of her increasingly ambitious creations.
“Wishing Star” Takes Center Stage
Her record-breaking piece, “Wishing Star,” was created in full view of the public at Burnham Park’s Rose Garden, where residents and tourists watched Guia work on the massive mandala.
She originally planned to make the piece 223 inches wide. But when third-party validators measured it on Jan. 22 as part of her Guinness attempt, the finished mandala had reached around 6 meters in diameter and 29 square meters in area—big enough for 18 people to lie down on.
The journey was not easy. Guia started crocheting the piece in July 2024 but suffered a minor stroke the following month. She resumed the project in May last year and eventually completed “Wishing Star” in 69 days.
Crafting a Legacy With Her Family
Guia draws inspiration from American crochet artist Helen Shrimpton, whose techniques she learned through social media.
She is also an active member of the Baguio Creative Council, reflecting the city’s reputation as a hub for crafts and folk art.
Together with her husband, Guia runs Abiakak, an artisan craft store mentored by the University of the Philippines Baguio’s Social Innovation Laboratory and Business Inclusion.
For Guia, the record is not only a personal achievement but also a celebration of the creativity, patience, perseverance and family support behind her extraordinary craft.
