The Philippines has always been an inherently creative nation. From centuries-old traditional art forms such as weaving and woodcarving to their modern counterparts like game design and animation, the creative sector in the country has been flourishing for hundreds of years, laying the foundation for a rich heritage and a promising future.
Building the creative sector into sustainable creative industries is integral for navigating the needs of an ever-evolving world. Now more than ever, the demand for creative skills and services is on the rise, presenting a diverse range of opportunities for Filipinos all over the country. Recognizing the advantages of developing the nation’s creative industries, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) launched this year’s Zonal Creative Summit, a showcase in regional creativity that aims to foster collaboration among the different regions in the Philippines.
“The world has a growing appreciation for the creative work of Filipinos in practically every known artistic field or creative field. From cinema, games, animation, comics, music, literature, and dance among others. Filipinos have distinguished themselves on a global stage in the past, and now in the present.”
Just like what the theme of this year’s creative summit expresses: ‘Bayang Pinagpala, Lahing Manlilikha’, clearly we are privileged as a nation to be extremely creative.”
– Hon. J. Prospero De Vera III, DPA
Secretary
Commission on Higher Education (CHED)
Held in Celebration of the Philippine Creative Industries Month (PCIM) and in accordance with Republic Act No. 11904 (The Philippine Creative Industries Development Act), the summit brought together representatives from Regions I, II, III, and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) – collectively known as Northern Luzon – in the interest of exploring the roles of the creative sector in support the socio-economic development of the country.
Beginning on October 17, 2024 and lasting until the afternoon of October 18, 2024, the event was spearheaded by the CHED Office of Programs and Standards Development (OPSD) in collaboration with the University of Baguio, the host for this year’s landmark event.
“The Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are the best venues for the development of creativity among our students, even to our faculty and staff, so that we could advance the attainment of quality education and the development of world-class skills and the development and products and services where the Filipino ingenuity and creativity will surely shine.”
– Dr. Demetrio Anduyan Jr., CESO III
Director IV
Commission on Higher Education (CHED) – CAR
Day One of the summit involved two plenary sessions in the morning and one plenary session plus a workshop in the afternoon. The first session was led by Dr. Jo-Dann Darong, Director III of the Bureau of Competitive Development from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), exploring the topic of: “Sulong sa Pagdaluyong: HEIs and the Philippine Creative Industries Roadmap”. It was an enlightening look at the future of creative industries in higher education and the developments that can be put in place with the help of the different universities both public and private all over the country.
The second plenary session was led by Ms. Marichu Tellano, the Deputy Executive Director for the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and delved into “Likhaan at Linangan: Cultural Vibrancy and Creative Economy”. Her presentation was a keen dissection of the rich culture and heritage of the community, and the role that it can play in building a dedicated part of the economy that can subsist on creative industry.
The morning’s event also involved a ribbon-cutting ceremony, launching the Hugpungan: Showcase of Creative Products and Services of HEIs from the Regions. The different booths and exhibits were opened to the public, allowing members of the community and the esteemed guests to explore the different creative sectors of the different communities that were present for the day’s event.
The third and final plenary session was led by Dr. Edizon Fermin, the Vice President for Academic Affairs at the National Teachers College, and revolved around “Durungawan at Daluyan: HEIs as Enabling Environments for Creativity and Innovation”. This segment was an insightful dissection of the role of higher education institutions in shaping the creative sector and paving the way for future industries.
Day One ended with the first workshop of the summit, titled “Lakbay Likha: Our Creative Corridors”. This portion of the program aimed to facilitate active discussion amongst the different regional representatives, exploring the different creative specializations of each region of Northern Luzon and the ways in which higher education institutions can integrate the creative sector into their academic curriculum.
The program will continue tomorrow with Workshop 2, entitled “Lipat at Lapat: Identifying Institutional Priorities for Cultural Vibrancy and Creative Economy”, and the final plenary session led by Atty. Cinderella Filipina Benitez-Jaro, the Executive Director for the Commission on Higher Education, which will revolve around the topic of “Sari-sari, Sama-sama: Creative Philippine HEIs Rising.”
“The theme ‘Bayang Pinagpala, Lahing Manlilikha’ speaks of the incredible creative spirit that thrives across Northern Luzon, and highlights the essential contributions of our artists, educators, and students to our nation’s growth.”
– Engr. Javier Herminio Bautista
President
University of Baguio
As an institution dedicated to providing balanced quality education in a fun learning environment, UB endeavors to support initiatives and programs that are geared towards improving the landscape of education. Nurturing competent professionals who can serve with heart and integrity remains at the core of the university’s goals, and embracing traditional and emerging industries is key to providing a comprehensive education that can address the needs of an ever-evolving society.
As the university continues to grow as a Higher Education Institution, it aims to continue participating in events like the Zonal Creative Summit, which can expound the scope of its academic reach and expose the institution to new horizons that can support positive growth and development.
Endeavors such as these are also in-line with the university’s efforts to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals, aiding in the provision of quality education (Goal No. 4), the promotion of decent work and economic growth within the community (Goal No. 8), the nurturing of industry, innovation, and infrastructure (Goal No. 9), and the building of sustainable cities and communities (Goal No. 11) in the community,
