BY TONY CHAVEZ
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to innovation and cultural development during the launch of 2024 Creative Nation Summit at the Rizal Park Hotel on September 30.
Co-organized with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the British Council, the two-day event gathered 500 key industry leaders, policymakers, innovators, and creative professionals. This gathering provided a platform for in-depth discussions on actionable strategies for growing the creative economy, advancing technology, and fostering cultural development to elevate the Philippines’ global standing.
In her keynote address, DTI Competitiveness and Innovation Group Undersecretary Rafaelita M. Aldaba reflected on the success of this year's PCIM.
“This year's PCIM celebration presented over 100 co-branded events, reaching millions of Filipinos nationwide. While September may be ending, our celebration of Philippine Creative Industries Month is just gaining momentum. With Regional Fiesta Haraya celebrations underway in 17 regions and Lunsod Lunsad initiatives launched in 62 cities, the festivities are in full swing and will run through November,” Usec. Aldaba shared.
On behalf of DTI Secretary Cristina A. Roque, Assistant Secretary May Niña Celynne P. Layug reaffirmed the Department’s dedication to bolstering the creative ecosystem in the Philippines.
"We are committed to scaling up efforts that drive more resilient jobs, foster knowledge exchange, and attract new investments. This will lead to better products, increased innovation, and a stronger global presence for the Philippines as a creative leader," Asec. Layug said.
Meanwhile, His Majesty's Ambassador to the Philippines and Palau, Laure Beaufils, expressed the United Kingdom’s enthusiasm for partnering with the Philippines on its journey to becoming Asia's premiere creative hub by 2030.
“We see tremendous potential in the Philippine creative economy. From heritage preservation to creative technology, we are eager to collaborate on fueling innovation and scaling up Filipino creative talent to the global market,” said Beaufils.
The first day of the summit focused on Creative Technology, exploring the convergence of art and technology. Discussions highlighted innovations such as virtual reality, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence that are reshaping the global creative economy. Building on these advancements, Filipino creatives are gaining cutting-edge skills that push the boundaries of content creation and market reach.
The second day shifted focus to strategic implementation, highlighting creative and cultural statistics as well as creative placemaking. These key areas underscored the significance of accurate data in assessing the impact of the creative economy and integrating the arts into urban planning to promote social cohesion and economic vitality. Case studies and best practices illustrated how creative placemaking can revitalize communities and position the Philippines as a global creative hub.
The NCCA is represented by Executive Director Eric B. Zerrudo and Deputy Executive Director Marichu Tellano, while the British Council is represented by Country Director Ms. Lotus Prostrado and Head of Arts Mr. Andrei Nikolai Pamintuan.
Other key figures in attendance include Cong. Christopher “Toff” De Venecia, Principal Author of the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act; Gabriel Pablo Malvar and Architect Conrad T. Onglao of the Philippine Creative Industries Development Council; Mr. Guoliang Yang, Minister Counselor from the Embassy of China; and Professor Graham Hitchen, Director of the Loughborough University Policy Unit.
The summit is part of the celebration of the 2024 PCIM, which is in accordance with Republic Act 11904, or the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act—aiming to solidify the role of creative industries in national development.
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