TABUK CITY, Kalinga – With the implementation of its Mangwa Creative Festival, the city is keeping an eye on its possible inclusion in the network of creative cities.
In today’s press forum for the launching of Mangwa Creative Festival organized by the City Public Information Office, City Tourism Officer Arlene Ethel Odiem said the city has a fighting chance to achieve creative city recognition provided all standards and guidelines are followed.
To do this, Odiem remarked that there is a need to continue the Lunsod Lunsad initiative of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the activities under it.
The city administration should also give assistance for its sustainability, and greater promotion of these events through the use of social media platforms is required, she said.
On top of this is the continuous partnership with local artists and artisans, she added.
During the forum, Regional Director Juliet Lucas of DTI-CAR emphasized the importance of leveraging the cities’ strengths, creative talents and assets to drive economic growth, while enhancing cultural enrichment and promoting social cohesion and inclusivity and adhering to UNESCO guidelines for becoming a creative city.
As a result, the DTI Central Office’s Competitiveness and Innovation Group awarded the Tabuk its PhP250,000 in 2023, as well as additional PhP2 million this year to assist the Mangwa Creative Festival’s execution.
According to records, the Philippines has only three acknowledged creative cities: Baguio (folks and arts), Dumaguete (gastronomy), and Iloilo (design).
The Mangwa Creative Festival aims to celebrate and promote the vibrant artistic community within the city, showcasing the immense talent of local artists and artisans, by highlighting a diverse range of artistic disciplines from songwriting, craft, gourmet food and textiles, to agricultural products and beyond.
Not only does it increase the visibility of local talent, but it also adds to the richness of the city by making art and creativity more accessible to a wider audience. By Darwin S. Serion
