Malikhaing Pilipinas vision, focus of plenary sessions at 𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘶𝘢𝘺 Creative Summit
By Stephanie Camille Ilar
From classrooms and creative studios to digital platforms and cultural spaces, the Malikhaing Pilipinas vision took the spotlight at the Parnuay Creative Summit as national education and industry leaders convened at the Ilocandia Cultural Center to chart how creativity, culture, and innovation can shape the future of Filipino youth, strengthen the creative economy, and safeguard truth in the digital age.
The opening day of the summit featured plenary sessions led by DepEd Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara and TESDA Director General Jose Francisco “Kiko” Benitez, who focused on nurturing young minds and advancing digital creatives, together with EDCOM 2 Executive Director Karol Mark Yee, who discussed the trifocal approach to the creative industries in relation to cultural preservation and values formation. The discussions were complemented by Thames International School President Jaime Noel Santos on microcredentials and the creative economy, and IPAG Artistic Director Steven Prince Patrick Fernandez on cultivating Filipino artist-scholars within higher education.
Setting the tone for the second day, Dr. Joven Cuanang, Founder and President of the Pinto Art Museum, delivered his lecture via Zoom on the healing power of the arts, emphasizing the role of various art forms in promoting health and well-being. He introduced the concept of neuroarts, the study of how art affects the brain and body, explaining how artistic engagement can positively influence emotions, thinking, and behavior.
Building on the discussion of creativity’s impact on human development, Dr. Edizon Fermin underscored the importance of establishing Creative Centers of Excellence in higher education institutions as a cornerstone in building a “Malikhaing Pilipinas” during his talk, “Building the Creative Centers of Excellence.” He highlighted the government’s landmark initiatives under the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act (PCIDA), which formally recognizes and strengthens the country’s creative economy.
Dr. Fermin explained that PCIDA addresses the interconnected pillars of the creative economy, creative industries, and creative sectors, while recognizing the growing population of “gigsters,” or multi-hyphenate creatives who work across multiple disciplines and professions. He cited emerging creative roles such as dance captains, taste and aroma profilers, game level designers, and storyboard artists, noting that while these do not always require traditional education, they provide a strong foundation for higher education pathways.
The final day looked ahead to future directions for the creative sector, with sessions on combating disinformation through creative communication led by Commodore Jay Tristan Tarriela of the Philippine Coast Guard and Police Colonel Frederick Obar of the Philippine National Police.
Amid the prevalence of disinformation surrounding the West Philippine Sea (WPS), Cmdre. Tarriela urged the youth to deepen and strengthen their research, understanding, and awareness of developments affecting the country. He also emphasized the need to equip teachers with data-driven approaches in discussing WPS issues, noting that informed and evidence-based instruction plays a crucial role in shaping students’ perceptions and critical thinking.
Meanwhile, PCOL Obar discussed the key distinctions among the often interchangeably used terms “misinformation,” “malinformation,” and “disinformation.” He also highlighted the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) efforts to counter fake and malicious content on social media, including close coordination with the PNP Intelligence Group. These initiatives are reinforced through the institutionalization of counter-disinformation mechanisms such as the Joint Anti-Fake News Action Committee (JAFNAC) and the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG), which work to investigate cases and enforce legal action against disinformation.
The summit concluded with a forward-looking discussion by Aian Raquel, head of the Ilocos Norte Tourism Office and creative director of the Tan-ok ni Ilokano Festival of Festivals. He anchored his discourse on “The Weight of Making: Culture and Performance in the Grassroots,” foregrounding how grassroots cultural expressions epitomize the cultural capital of the province.
Raquel underscored that culture is not an abstract construct but must be embodied and performatively enacted. He further contextualized this through the Tan-ok Festival, remarking, “Tan-ok is time-set, and must be remade every year. Culture is not frozen; it evolves. Communities are not objects; they are makers.” He elaborated on the agency of local communities, stating, “We decide what changes, what stays, and what matters now,” emphasizing that performance operates as a vector of power, mediating both self-representation and external perception of the community.
The Parnuay Creative Summit successfully highlighted how the Malikhaing Pilipinas vision can shape the future of Filipino youth, strengthen the creative economy, and foster critical, culturally grounded engagement in the digital age. Through a series of plenary sessions, participants explored the intersections of creativity, education, and community, leaving a clear message that culture is both lived and performed, and that empowering grassroots makers is key to sustaining the innovative and resilient Philippine creative sector.
Dec, 19, 2025 09:42:am
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