The spirit of collaboration and the power of creativity converged at the Creatives General Assembly 2025, held on September 10, 2025, at the Baguio Convention and Cultural Center, Baguio City. This significant event served as a celebration of Baguio’s thriving creative community and a strategic forum for advancing the city’s creative economy and cultural agenda that was actively participated by the Director of the Office of Student Affairs of University of Baguio.
Dr. Froilan C. Aspa, Director, Office of Student Affairs and the UB Voices Chorale
The assembly was spearheaded by the Creative Baguio City Council (CBCC), a policy advisory body institutionalized through Ordinance No. 46 (2021). Dedicated to supporting Baguio’s diverse creative community, the CBCC is Chaired by Mayor Benjamin Magalong and Co-chaired by Marie Venus Q. Tan. Its mission is to coordinate, advocate, and guide initiatives that align with Baguio’s Vision 2043 and sustain its status as the Philippines’ first UNESCO Creative City of Folk Arts and Crafts. The council actively promotes collaboration and builds partnerships to advance shared values and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The assembly commenced with an atmosphere of cultural pride, set by the UB Voices Chorale from the University of Baguio, which is a member of the CBCC Creative Sector 4 for Performance and Celebration. Their opening sequence included the Invocation, National Anthem, Cordillera Hymn, and Baguio Hymn.
CBCC Co-Chairperson Marie Venus Q. Tan called the assembly to order, highlighting the global importance of culture by introducing The MONDIACULT Declaration. This landmark 2022 document, adopted by 150 states, recognizes culture as a “global public good” and calls for its inclusion as a specific objective in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Key proposals include the recognition of Cultural Rights, protection of Cultural Heritage, and digital regulation to promote online cultural diversity.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong, CBCC Chairperson, delivered his welcome message through his executive assistant, emphasizing the central role of culture as “the soul of people inherently manifested in generational heritage and where pride of place becomes the heart that inspires creativity.”
The event featured insights from various sectors:
- 1st Speaker: DTI Asec Naylah Rizza Bautista presented the CBCC Battle Cry: A.R.T.L.S.T.S. of Baguio – an Adaptive and Resilient creative community Trailblazers united towards an Inclusive, Sustainable, and Transformative Society. Her discussion on “The Power of Creatives: Local Communities” focused on the importance of developing local creative industries, referencing the need for a creative cities network and the establishment of the Philippine Creative Cities Network under RA 11904 (the Philippine Creative Industries Act). This directly addresses SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
- 2nd Speaker: Atty. Glo Franco Gomez provided a detailed discussion on RA 11904, emphasizing private sector participation, the need for guidelines for the accreditation of business support organizations, and fostering continuing dialogue between the government, business, and the academe. This supports SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
- 3rd Speaker: TESDA Deputy Exec Dir. Nelly Dillera focused on Creative Tourism as a product aligned with RA 11904 and the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP). She defined Creative Tourism as “travel directed toward an engaged and authentic experience, with participative learning in the arts, heritage, or special character of a place,” emphasizing co-created, immersive experiences rooted in living culture. This development, in partnership with the Creative Tourism Network in Barcelona, aligns with SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth by promoting sustainable jobs and local economic development. The commitment to ethical practice and sustainable growth through the CBCC aligns broadly with SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.
Further activities included:
- A Panel of Discussions to deepen engagement on the topics presented.
- The launch of the CBCC Creative E-Commerce by Engr. Alec Mapalo, STOO Baguio City, enhancing market access for local creatives, supporting SDG 8.
- An afternoon session by Ma’am Jeanne Dangkeo, Intellectual Property Field Operations Specialist, who discussed Intellectual Property Rights, a crucial aspect of protecting creative output and fostering innovation, directly supporting SDG 9.
- The assembly concluded with the Election of Sectoral Representatives for the nine official CBCC Creative Sectors, ensuring inclusive governance and representation, a key aspect of SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.
The University of Baguio, as a member of Creative Sector 4: Performance and Celebration, plays a vital role in showcasing and sustaining the city’s cultural expressions and traditions. The entire assembly, driven by the active leadership and collaborative spirit between the CBCC, the Baguio Tourism Council (BTC), and government agencies, solidified a shared vision for creative excellence, sustainable development, and a brighter future for Baguio City.