The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has unveiled its Malikhaing Pinoy Program, the agency's initiative to improve economic and employment contribution of the creative industries to support economic recovery and growth.

Trade and Industry Undersecretary Rafaelita "Fita" M. Aldaba presented the program at the launch Monday, Sept. 4, of the Philippine Creative Industries Month (PCIM) this September.  

The country's creative industries such as music, film, games, performing arts and digital content will take center stage for the entire month of September to showcase major projects and undertakings in various events.

“In this month-long celebration of the Philippine creative industries, we are going to feature a wide array of programs and events to nurture and elevate our creative spirit and display the magic and brilliance of talented Filipinos and creators," according to Aldaba.

The first-ever month-long celebration is in collaboration with the Philippine Creative Industries Development Council (PCIDC) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

Under the Malikhaing Pinoy Program is the "Young Creatives Challenge," a large-scale competition created to inspire and empower young people in a variety of creative disciplines and domains, such as music, film, games, performing arts and digital content.

With the special participation of Senator Imee Marcos, the competition serves as a platform to discover and nurture emerging talents, offering young creators the opportunity to showcase their work, and to cultivate their skills in a competitive yet nurturing environment.

A grand prize of P1 million awaits the winners in each category.

The PCIM, under Republic Act No. 11904 or the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act (PCIDA), is a nationwide celebration to promote goods, products, and services of the Philippine creative industries. This September 2023 celebration is carrying the theme, "Celebrating Filipino Creativity, Advancing Creative Philippines."

The program also includes "Lunsod Lunsad", which is designed to support and empower local creative talents, promote economic sustainability, and develop the cultural and creative landscapes of our cities through the power of creativity and innovation.

Under this are initiatives like Pangasinan's "Anakbanwa", Dagupan City's "Galila Arts Festival", and Marikina's "Center for Innovation and Technology for Enterprises (CITE) Hub".

Several activities have been lined up for the month-long celebration. For instance, throughout September, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) will also present enlightening lectures, offering a forum for scholarly discussion on creativity and innovation.

From Sept. 7 to 10, the Manila Improv Festival in Circuit Makati will serve as the backdrop for a rhythmic celebration of impromptu acts. From Sept. 8 to 10, there will be the Manila International Dance Festival, where dance enthusiasts can see a variety of dance expressions and genres.

The International Design Conference on Sept. 14 and 15 will offer a forum for design enthusiasts to learn from and network with world leaders in the field. The Cebu Art Fair, which will feature the best regional artwork from Sept. 15–17, is a treat for art lovers.

The translation of Duncan Millan's "Every Brilliant Thing," dubbed "Bawat Bonggang Bagay," will be performed by The Sandbox Collective at the Maybank Performing Arts Theater from Sept. 15 to 24 and to be starred by Jon Santos. This play uses an interactive setting to demonstrate the tenacity and delight of the human spirit.

From Sept. 21 to 23, the Likha Creative Entrepreneurship Summit 2023 will offer a forum for creative businesses to network, share ideas, and work together.

Last but not least, the Circus Music event 2023 at the Globe Circuit Event Grounds in Makati is anticipated to be the greatest music event of the year, promoting the Original Pilipino Music (OPM) that Filipinos can vibe along with.

House Special Committee on Creative Industries Chairman and Principal Author of Philippine Creative Industries Development Act Congressman Christopher de Venecia also lauded President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for his “tremendous support to the promotion and development of the creative industries and for acknowledging world-class Filipino creativity.”

“I think we have realized by now that the creative industries do more than just entertain us. They inspire innovation, they challenge the status quo, they disrupt in a good way, and they help shape our future. They are the heartbeat of our society’s imagination and their impact is immeasurable,” he emphasized.

Based on a study from the Philippine Statistics Authority, the creative industries are employing over seven million Filipinos. It also generated P1.6 trillion in revenues, encompassing 7.34 percent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP).

As key in realizing the vision of developing the creative sector, the Philippine Creative Industries Development Council will be partnering with the Department of Tourism, Department of Interior and Local Government, and other government agencies involved in the law implementation, like Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines, Department of Information and Communications Technology, and Department of Education. (Ma. Joselie C. Garcia)