Malikhaing Pinoy Creative Expo 2025 day 3 highlighted publishing, regional creativity, and indigenous knowledge

Posted: October 1, 2025
Mr. Joel Santos (center), President of Thames International Business School, receives a certificate of appreciation on the third day of the Malikhaing Pinoy Creative Expo. He is joined by (from L–R) Philippine Creative Industries Development Council Secretariat (PCIDCS) Acting Deputy Executive Director Jo-Dann Darong; DTI Competitiveness and Innovation Group Supervising Head and Assistant Secretary Nylah Rizza Bautista; the Thames International Business School team composed of Mr. David Fabros, Ms. Cherry Genato, and Ms. Kat Malillin; Congressman Javier Benitez; PCIDCS Acting Executive Director Lilian Salonga; and Mr. Karl Bryan Sta. Maria.
Mr. Joel Santos (center), President of Thames International Business School, receives a certificate of appreciation on the third day of the Malikhaing Pinoy Creative Expo. He is joined by (from L–R) Philippine Creative Industries Development Council Secretariat (PCIDCS) Acting Deputy Executive Director Jo-Dann Darong; DTI Competitiveness and Innovation Group Supervising Head and Assistant Secretary Nylah Rizza Bautista; the Thames International Business School team composed of Mr. David Fabros, Ms. Cherry Genato, and Ms. Kat Malillin; Congressman Javier Benitez; PCIDCS Acting Executive Director Lilian Salonga; and Mr. Karl Bryan Sta. Maria.

Taguig City, Philippines — The Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) third day of the Malikhaing Pinoy Creative Expo (MPEx) 2025 featured events that highlighted the diversity and creativity of Filipino cities, showcased vital intellectual property knowledge, and celebrated the power of storytelling in publishing. Held at SMX Aura Premier, the five-day Expo has ended, but its mission to amplify Filipino voices and advance the creative industries continues.

The day’s program kicked off with a workshop on the Philippine Creative Cities Playbook, led by Thames International Business School. The session explored practical approaches to establishing and sustaining creative hubs nationwide, underscoring the importance of collaboration between local governments and the creative community.

This was followed by a session titled ‘Legislative Agenda for the Creative Industries’, featuring Hon. Javier Miguel Lopez Benitez, Chairperson of the Special Committee on Creative Industries and Representative of the 3rd District of Negros Occidental. He emphasized the crucial role of legislation in fostering a thriving creative economy and highlighted the power of unity in uplifting Filipino creativity, calling on every Filipino to support local creatives.

‘Let’s all work together to uplift the lives and livelihoods of our creatives, especially in the provinces, in the cities, and in the municipalities and communities. I’m hoping that our local creatives will not only shine and thrive domestically, but let’s take them global dahil ‘yan po ang ating Malikhaing Pinoy,’ said Congressman Benitez.

Later in the day, the IP Hour provided valuable insights into intellectual property (IP). Spearheaded by experts from the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines under the leadership of Director General Atty. Brigitte M. da Costa-Villaluz and Deputy Director General Atty. Ann Claire C. Cabochan, the session guided attendees on strategies to safeguard their creative works and enhance their value in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

The National Book Development Board (NBDB) also presented key initiatives for nurturing Filipino writers and publishers. In a dedicated workshop, NBDB emphasized the importance of its official Registry—a comprehensive database of authors, publishers, printers, booksellers, editors, illustrators, and other allied professionals. Participants learned how the Registry serves not only as an industry roster but also as a gateway to government incentives, training, and support.

In the afternoon, focus shifted to the regions with the ‘Check-in on our Philippine UNESCO Creative Cities’ panel discussion. Moderated by Liza Diño, Executive Director of the Quezon City Film Commission, the panel featured Marie Venus Tan, Co-Chairperson of the Creative Baguio City Council; Butch Carungay, Focal Point of Cebu – UNESCO City of Design; and Leny Ledesma, Focal Point for Iloilo City and member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. The discussion highlighted the growth of creative industries within these cities and their role as models of innovation and cultural exchange.

(From L–R) Ms. Maria Teresa Landicho, Division Chief of the PCIDCS Intellectual Property Capacity Building and Innovation Division; Ms. Liza Diño, Executive Director of the Quezon City Film Commission; Ms. Leny Ledesma, Focal Point of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network Iloilo City; Ms. Marie Venus Tan, Co-Chairperson of the Creative Baguio City Council; Mr. Butch Carungay, Focal Point of Cebu UNESCO City of Design; and Ms. Wea C. Bohol, Division Chief of the PCIDCS Marketing and Promotions Division, during the awarding of certificates of appreciation for the Malikhaing Pinoy Chats: A Check-in on our Philippine UNESCO Creative Cities.
: (From L–R) Ms. Maria Teresa Landicho, Division Chief of the PCIDCS Intellectual Property Capacity Building and Innovation Division; Ms. Liza Diño, Executive Director of the Quezon City Film Commission; Ms. Leny Ledesma, Focal Point of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network Iloilo City; Ms. Marie Venus Tan, Co-Chairperson of the Creative Baguio City Council; Mr. Butch Carungay, Focal Point of Cebu UNESCO City of Design; and Ms. Wea C. Bohol, Division Chief of the PCIDCS Marketing and Promotions Division, during the awarding of certificates of appreciation for the Malikhaing Pinoy Chats: A Check-in on our Philippine UNESCO Creative Cities.

The day concluded with a special Malikhaing Pinoy Chats session titled ‘The Stories of Storytellers,’ a highlight of the Publishing and Printed Media Domain. Valerie Rose ‘Boss Val’ Del Rosario, President and COO of Studio Viva and Senior Vice President for Content Creation and Management of Viva Communications, Inc., shared insights through a presentation, followed by an engaging talkback with bestselling author Ariesa Domingo, known for Seducing Drake Palma and Dating Alys Perez. Together, they delved into the future of Filipino publishing, the cultural impact of print media, and the enduring power of storytelling to connect generations and communities.

Ariesa Domingo a.k.a. Beeyotch and Valerie Del Rosario, President and COO of Studio Viva Del Rosario and Senior Vice President of Viva Communications Inc., during the talk-back session of Malikhaing Pinoy Chats: “The Story of the Storytellers” for the Digital Interactive Media domain session.
Ariesa Domingo a.k.a. Beeyotch and Valerie Del Rosario, President and COO of Studio Viva Del Rosario and Senior Vice President of Viva Communications Inc., during the talk-back session of Malikhaing Pinoy Chats: “The Story of the Storytellers” for the Digital Interactive Media domain session.

The Malikhaing Pinoy Creative Expo was held from September 3 to 7 at SMX Aura Premier. It showcased the breadth of Filipino creativity across multiple domains. With a diverse program that spanned creative regions, intellectual property, and publishing, the Expo served as a space for knowledge exchange, inspiration, and collaboration among creatives, industry leaders, and enthusiasts.

Organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through the Philippine Creative Industries Development Council Secretariat (PCIDCS), the Expo stood as the flagship event of Philippine Creative Industries Month this September. Guided by the unifying theme #WeAreACreativeNation, it drew thousands of participants from across the archipelago and beyond.

This MPEx was part of the Malikhaing Pinoy Program, a flagship initiative of the Philippine government implemented by the Department of Trade and Industry as Chair of the Philippine Creative Industries Development Council. The program continues to elevate Filipino creativity and advance the creative agenda, spotlighting Filipino talent, cultural heritage, and ingenuity. ♦

Date of Release: 12 September 2025