In photo: Rafael “Popoy” Cusi’s Mangyan series 2021 using watercolor from a private collector
By Alithea De Jesus
There is no doubt that there are many creative Filipinos who are talented and have made their names here and abroad. Needless to say, their works continue to impress international art aficionados that they are even invited to exhibit their works in other countries.
We have renowned national artists like Jose T. Joya, Vicente Silva Manansala, Mauro Malang Santos, and the one and only Master of Watercolour in the country, Master Popoy Cusi, who is known for preserving and promoting Filipino culture and values through his masterpieces.
Now with the younger breed of Filipino artists on the block, they also continue to make a name for themselves beyond Philippine shores. Inside Out animated film co-director Ronnie Del Carmen, Netflix’s Trese writer Budjette Tan and illustrator Kajo Baldisimo, and thespian Rachel Ann Go are just some of the talents who have been celebrated around the world in recent years.
According to data presented by Paolo Mercado, president of non-profit, private-sector sector organization Creative Economy Council of the Philippines (CECP), the Philippines generates $4.1 billion worth of creative exports, making it the fifth-largest and most valuable creative economy in the ASEAN region. In fact, Mercado suggests the Filipino market for creative services is the largest in ASEAN, amounting to $3.2 billion. The CECP roadmap envisions the Philippines can be the largest creative economy in the region by 2030
The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the export promotions arm of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), recognizes the creative industry’s contribution to the local economy and its impact on the global creative community. In line with this, CITEM has strengthened its CREATE Philippines brand through its inaugural digital conference last year dubbed Creative Futures. CITEM also launched the online platform CreatePhilippines.com to promote Filipino creative talents and case studies to the international market. The platform will now expand to offer a centralized directory for Filipino creative talent as a first step in creating an omnichannel approach in promoting Filipino creatives worldwide.
“As part of the country’s continuous digital shift, the CREATE Philippines platform will not just showcase the journey of Filipino creatives through engaging content but help capacitate the sector. We want the CREATE platform to be a starting point for collaboration within diverse sectors of the country’s creative economy,” shared Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) Executive Director Pauline Suaco-Juan.
Senate Bill No. 2455 or the Philippine Creative Industries Act is the country’s latest legislative effort to centralize and address the welfare of the Filipino creative economy. If passed into law, the bill will establish the Philippines’ Creative Industries Development Council, tasked with creating specialized codes for the creative industries in the PSIC, along with defining the industry’s key performance indicators. The industries it includes are Audiovisual Media, Digital Interactive Media, Creative Services, Design, Publishing and Printed Media, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Traditional Cultural Expressions, and Cultural Sites. The Bill has been approved on the second reading with Amendments on January 31, 2022.
“We believe that the capabilities of the Philippines’ creative industries can also boost economic growth and can generate export sales, through this initiative we hope to aid our creatives to reach their fullest potential, “Suaco-Juan added.
Registration is free and open to all creative companies and individuals looking to widen their businesses. To join, aspiring creatives can register via https://createphilippines.com/ and are required to submit the following documents: digital portfolio containing their brand story, projects, and list of clients; any government-issued ID for individuals or valid Business Permit for business and companies; and BIR Certificate of Registration.
By signing up at the CREATE Philippines Directory of Creatives, participants will be provided a complimentary digital booth in the 2022 Creative Futures Digital Conference and can maximize the year-round promotional activities of CREATE Philippines. The next digital conference for CREATE Philippines will be held in July.
Register as Creative and get a chance to win exciting prizes such as the D&D Raymund Marasigan Signature RAYGUN Electric Guitar, Adidas Ultraboost DNA Sea City Pack Philippines Shoes, and many more. All participants with complete documents and profiles are eligible to join for the duration of the raffle. Weekly winners will be announced via Create Philippines social media platforms and Viber community.
Raffle draw winners will be notified via email and are free to choose among the featured prizes for the week. Promo will run from March 9 to March 25, 2022.
Follow CREATE Philippines on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for more information.