Baguio artisan turns setback into Guinness World Record for ‘largest crochet mandala’

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — After an initial setback, Baguio-based artisan Adelaida “Adel” Guia has achieved her long-held dream of setting a Guinness World Record for the largest crochet mandala.

The achievement marks the culmination of years of crocheting, preparation and perseverance for the 56-year-old artist.

Adel and her passion for crochet

Adel learned to crochet at a young age by observing her mother do needlework. She eventually developed a passion for the craft and became an advocate for handmade traditions.

Together with her husband, a fellow craftsman from Mountain Province, she sold crocheted items in Sta. Mesa, Manila, before eventually settling in Baguio City in 2016.

During the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, Adel created her first giant mandala. The term mandala, derived from Sanskrit, refers to a circle or center and is commonly associated with geometric and symbolic designs representing concepts such as wholeness and interconnectedness.

Her giant crochet mandala drew public attention when it was displayed and later sold during the 2021 Mandëko Kito, a curated local market that featured Cordilleran artists.

First Guinness attempt

“After making the giant mandala, I asked myself: What’s next? So I dreamt big and worked with this dream,” Adel recalled in an earlier interview with GURU Press Cordillera.

In October 2023, she registered her first Guinness World Records attempt through the organization’s online platform. She navigated the process independently and with a modest personal budget.

After registering, she sought guidance and support from the Mayor’s Office, which endorsed her letter to the City Creative, Culture and Arts Council (CCBAC) and the Tourism Office.

“Unfortunately, timing didn't align, and the opportunity didn't materialize,” she recalled.

The setback, however, did not stop her from pursuing the record.

Second attempt

Adel resumed work on the project in July 2024, this time with additional tools and support from the community.

She completed training with Imagineer, a Baguio City initiative that helps artists develop ideas into impactful projects. She also became an incubatee under a local innovation program.

Her work was temporarily interrupted after she suffered a heart attack in August 2024..

On May 22, 2025, she resumed work on her Guinness-bound mandala, which she named “The Wishing Star.”

To generate public interest and document the project, Adel took her work outside her home and crocheted at the Rose Garden in Burnham Park.

She said the public setup also allowed her to connect with potential supporters and sponsors while inspiring people to pursue their dreams regardless of age, health condition or background.

After more than two months of work, Adel proceeded with her official attempt for the Guinness World Record for the largest individual crocheted mandala.

As part of the validation process, her masterpiece was measured and assessed by independent civil engineers and academic and cultural experts on September 11, 2025, at SM City Baguio.

The assessment recorded the mandala at 29.359 square meters, with a diameter of 6.114 meters and an average radius of 3.057 meters.

However, the Guinness World Records website lists the mandala's area as 28.03 square meters (301 square feet).

Record confirmed

On September 17, 2026, Adel shared an email from Guinness World Records announcing the successful outcome of her attempt.

Overjoyed by the achievement, she expressed gratitude to the people who supported her project, including her core group, sponsors, media practitioners, tourists and public officials.

She specifically acknowledged mayors, vice mayors, councilors and congressmen from Baguio, Lucban and Quezon City, as well as the regional director of the Department of Tourism-Cordillera.

“Ang journey na ito ay hindi ko makakamit nang mag-isa. Hindi ito magiging posible kung hindi dahil sa mga taong naniwala, tumulong, sumuporta, nagdasal, at naging bahagi ng pangarap na ito,” Adel wrote on social media.

“Bawat isa sa inyo ay may naging bahagi sa pagbuo at pag-abot ng pangarap na ito. Hindi lamang ito isang personal na achievement—it is a journey made possible by many hands, many hearts, and one shared dream,” she added.