DTI launches Day 1 of the Malikhaing Pinoy Creative Expo 2025: Archipelago of Filipino creativity

Posted: September 5, 2025
In Photo: (From L–R) Moderator Direk Connie Macatuno, Black Star Entertainment President Jon Pinto, PhilStage President Audie Gemora, Film Development Council of the Philippines Chairman Jose Javier Reyes, Sun Chaser Creator and Animation Director Bobby Pontillas, and PCIDC Private Sector Representative for Audiovisual Media Pablo Gabriel Malvar during the Day 1 session of the Malikhaing Pinoy Chats at the Malikhaing Pinoy Creative Expo 2025, featuring the Audiovisual Media Domain panel on “Filipino Content for Global Audiences.”
In Photo: (From L–R) Moderator Direk Connie Macatuno, Black Star Entertainment President Jon Pinto, PhilStage President Audie Gemora, Film Development Council of the Philippines Chairman Jose Javier Reyes, Sun Chaser Creator and Animation Director Bobby Pontillas, and PCIDC Private Sector Representative for Audiovisual Media Pablo Gabriel Malvar during the Day 1 session of the Malikhaing Pinoy Chats at the Malikhaing Pinoy Creative Expo 2025, featuring the Audiovisual Media Domain panel on “Filipino Content for Global Audiences.”

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through the Philippine Creative Industries Development Council (PCIDC) Secretariat, officially opened the Malikhaing Pinoy Expo 2025 (MPEx), a landmark celebration of Philippine Creative Industries Month under Republic Act No. 11904, also known as the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act.

Formally opening Day 1 of the MPEx was DTI Competitiveness and Innovation Group (CIG) Supervising Head and Assistant Secretary Nylah Rizza D. Bautista, who welcomed participants and outlined what to expect in the next five days of festivities. “Working on this expo was an eye-opener to what Filipino creativity can truly offer, and we hope you enjoy this immersive experience as much as we loved bringing it to life. Today is only the beginning of five days of engaging exhibitions, performances, and opportunities to network and collaborate,” she shared.

In Photo: DTI CIG Supervising Head and Assistant Secretary Nylah Rizza D. Bautista welcomes guests and participants on Day 1 of the Malikhaing Pinoy Creative Expo 2025.
In Photo: DTI CIG Supervising Head and Assistant Secretary Nylah Rizza D. Bautista welcomes guests and participants on Day 1 of the Malikhaing Pinoy Creative Expo 2025.

Day One featured Malikhaing Pinoy Chats, a series of thought-provoking conversations among visionary leaders and trailblazing innovators from across the nine creative domains. These sessions are designed to inspire, challenge, and ignite innovative ideas that will propel the Philippines’ creative industry forward. They focused on themes of collaboration, intellectual protection, and enhancing the country’s global competitiveness.

The program began with the Audiovisual Media Domain through the session “Filipino Content for Global Audiences,” featuring industry leaders Undersecretary Jose “Direk Joey” Javier Reyes (Chairman and CEO, Film Development Council of the Philippines), Mr. Pablo Gabriel Malvar (Private Sector Representative for Audiovisual Media, PCIDC), Mr. Jon Pinto (CEO, Black Star Entertainment), and Mr. Bobby Pontillas (Creator and Animation Director of Sun Chaser). Moderated by film director and designer Connie Macatuno, the discussion highlighted the global potential of Filipino stories and the pivotal role of audiovisual content in building a sustainable creative economy.

Next the conversation transitioned to the Creative Services Domain with the panel “The Role of Creative Organizations in Collaboration, Protection, and Advocacy.” Speakers included representatives from the League of Filipino Actors Guild (Aktor PH), Anj Heruela (Executive Director, PETA), and Angel Guerrero (Founder, President, and Editor-in-Chief, Adobo Magazine). With moderation by Esme Palaganas (Founding Board and Policy Lead, Philippine Fashion Coalition), the session emphasized the importance of creative organizations in strengthening industry solidarity, advancing advocacy, and safeguarding the welfare of Filipino creatives.

In Photo: (From L–R) Moderator Ms. Esme Palaganas, Philippine Educational Theater Association Executive Director Anj Heruela, Adobe Magazine Founder, President, and Editor-in-Chief Angel Guerrero, Film Academy of the Philippines Director General Paolo Villaluna, and Aktor PH COO/Executive Director Joel Saracho featuring the Creative Services Domain panel on “The Role of Creative Organizations in Collaboration, Protection, and Advocacy”.
In Photo: (From L–R) Moderator Ms. Esme Palaganas, Philippine Educational Theater Association Executive Director Anj Heruela, Adobe Magazine Founder, President, and Editor-in-Chief Angel Guerrero, Film Academy of the Philippines Director General Paolo Villaluna, and Aktor PH COO/Executive Director Joel Saracho featuring the Creative Services Domain panel on “The Role of Creative Organizations in Collaboration, Protection, and Advocacy”.

The day concluded with the Digital Interactive Media Domain’ session “Creative Matchmaking for Filipino Games: Game Pitching and Networking.” This segment provided a platform for six student game developers to showcase their projects and connect with potential partners and investors. From Jose Rizal University, participants presented “Whatever It Takes” by Likha ‘D Alley, “CycEnd” by Flintlock Games, and “Aklat ng Hiwag” by RogueLite Studio. De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde featured two entries: “Adult-ish” and “Chop Chop!”, while Midnight Equinox pitched “Dungeon King.”

Bagging the “Best Game Pitch” award was “Dungeon King” by Midnight Equinox earning recognition from judges Mr. Apollo Dionglay (Country Manager, PlayPark PH), Mr. Lord Christian Gosingtian (President, ThinkBit Solutions), and Mr. James Ronald Lo (President, Game Developers Association of the Philippines and CEO, Taktyl Studios), who also shared their expertise and insights. The session underscored the rapid growth of the Philippine gaming industry and its role in shaping the future of digital creativity.

In Photo: (From L–R) Philippine Creative Industries Development Council Secretariat (PCIDCS) Acting Deputy Executive Director Jo-Dann Darong, PCIDCS Acting Executive Director Lilian Salonga, representative of Midnight Equinox, winner of the “Best Game Pitch” award, DTI CIG Supervising Head and Assistant Secretary Nylah Rizza Bautista, with judges Mr. Apollo Dionglay, Mr. James Ronald Lo, and Mr. Lord Christian Gosingtian.
In Photo: (From L–R) Philippine Creative Industries Development Council Secretariat (PCIDCS) Acting Deputy Executive Director Jo-Dann Darong, PCIDCS Acting Executive Director Lilian Salonga, representative of Midnight Equinox, winner of the “Best Game Pitch” award, DTI CIG Supervising Head and Assistant Secretary Nylah Rizza Bautista, with judges Mr. Apollo Dionglay, Mr. James Ronald Lo, and Mr. Lord Christian Gosingtian.

Today’s activities set a strong foundation for the remaining days of the Malikhaing Pinoy Expo, which brings together all nine creative domains and 73 sectors to foster collaboration, innovation, and international competitiveness. Each day will focus on distinct themes, reaffirming the Philippines’ vision of becoming a truly creative nation, an Archipelago of Filipino Creativity.

For more details on exhibitors, workshops, and performances, visit https://mpx.malikhaingpinoy.ph/.

This MPEx is part of the Malikhaing Pinoy Program, a flagship initiative by the Philippine government being implemented by the Department of Trade and Industry and as the Chair of the Philippine Creative Industries Development Council. It is aimed at elevating Filipino creativity and advancing creative agenda, spotlighting Filipino talent, cultural heritage, and ingenuity.

Join the movement and be part of the change with #WeAreACreativeNation. ♦

Date of Release: 05 September 2025