I AM always excited to meet creatives. As the supervising undersecretary for Trade and Investments Promotion Group, we value the great contribution of the creative- services sector in uplifting and promoting the Philippine brand to the global market. I see them as partners in leveling up the game for the same challenge that we all have: How do we narrate the good stories we have as Filipinos?
Like goods and services being offered around the world, creative services, such as advertising, continue to evolve. It continues to shape perceptions, expectations and demands of the consuming public. It tends to affect us in many significant ways. That is why the industry continues to expand. The opportunities are limitless. More than the essential role they play in making the narrative of Filipino goods and services as good as it is, we see the greater contribution that creative services continue to provide in the growth story of the Philippines.
Why are we making so much importance today in making creativity as among primary drivers of growth?
Two decades ago, the world started describing activities that involve cultural heritages, including dance, music, film, visual arts and the like as creative industries. It evolved into various things now powered by technology. And today, we see creative industries being embraced by many governments, making it one of the many means in achieving inclusive growth by building the so-called creative economy.
In this age of rapid globalization and the inevitable evolution of technology, many economies, including the Philippines, realize the need to tie business with creativity. In fact, according to a report by the British Council, a country’s creative industry has a powerful way of providing a distinctive image of a country or a city, helping it stand with its competitors, as well as a good positioning of its overall strength and capacity.
This, in turn, opens up a whole new discussion on how we encourage more professionals and businesses to make their ingenuity a tool in driving the economy while building the creative economic agenda.
Hence, just last year, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), with its Center for International Trade Exhibition and Missions, launched Create Philippines. It is an annual industry-development platform that showcases the Philippines’s Creative and Content Industries to an international market. It is an avenue where creative professionals gather, connect and catalyze new business through an open system that encourages sharing of innovative business ideas and collaborative opportunities.
With Create Philippines, we aim to enhance the country’s business environment that will enable creatives and artists in driving the economy. First, we are aiming to gather experts, professionals, business organizations and groups in developing the creative ecosystem. The government is keen to gather people both from public and the private sector in crafting our creative economic agenda. Little by little, we believe that we will continue to engage the private sector in enhancing the creative industry in the Philippines.
We welcome the recognition of Baguio late last year as it joined the Unesco Creative Cities Network after we successfully held the first Asean Creative Cities Forum and Exhibition (ACCFE) last April. ACCFE was spearheaded by the Design Center of the Philippines as part of the business events developed by the DTI to complement the country’s hosting of the Asean. Baguio is the first Philippine city to join the network. We aim to encourage more cities as we see the importance of greater participation of communities in making growth truly inclusive.
As we move forward in this mission, we look forward to the active participation and support of the many creatives in the country. We look forward to work with all of you in the future in making the Philippines known for its strengths and beauty. To all the creative entrepreneurs and professionals in the country, I salute all of you for making the Filipino creativity shine by upholding the truth and highest standard in promoting Filipino goods and services.