Both cities submitted their applications on March 1, with Quezon City vying for recognition in the Film category and Dumaguete City in Literature.
On Oct. 31, 2024, the DTI, in collaboration with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Philippine National Commission for UNESCO (UNACOM), officially endorsed the two cities as the country’s nominees for the 2025 UCCN Application Cycle.
This move aligns with the government’s efforts to promote the creative industries as key drivers of sustainable economic growth and solidify the country’s status as a thriving creative hub on the world stage."
Strengthening the bid with expert guidance
To enhance the competitiveness of the applications, the DTI, through its Creative Industries Development Office, enlisted the expertise of Paolo Mercado, president of the Creative Economy Council of the Philippines.
Mercado, a recognized leader in creative industries development, played a crucial role in ensuring that the applications met the UCCN’s criteria, which focus on leveraging creativity and cultural industries to drive sustainable urban development.
The four-month preparation period included a series of key stakeholder consultations designed to monitor progress and refine each city’s proposal.
Mercado visited Dumaguete City, where he met with the city’s Application Technical Working Group, offering hands-on guidance to strengthen its application
‘City of Stories’
Dumaguete City Mayor Felipe Remollo has expressed unwavering support for the city’s bid, emphasizing his commitment to reinforcing Dumaguete’s identity as a “City of Stories.”
With a rich literary and cinematic heritage, the city honors its two National Artists—Edith Tiempo for Literature and Eddie Romero for Film.
Following Mercado’s recommendations, Dumaguete is highlighting its literary achievements while integrating film as an essential part of its creative landscape.
‘City of Film’
Meanwhile, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, through the leadership of the Quezon City Film Commission and its executive director Liza Diño, is positioning the city as a premier destination for film production, exhibition, and industry development.
Belmonte envisions Quezon City as the "City of Film," a hub where Filipino cinema can thrive and expand on both local and international stages.
PH’s growing presence in the UCCN
The UNESCO Creative Cities Network, established in 2004, promotes international cooperation among cities that recognize creativity as a key factor in sustainable urban development.
The network currently consists of 350 cities across over 100 countries. If Quezon City and Dumaguete City secure their spots, they will join three other Philippine cities already part of the UCCN: Baguio City (Crafts and Folk Arts), Cebu City (Design), and Iloilo City (Gastronomy).
The DTI’s support for these applications reflects its broader goal of strengthening the country’s creative economy. By facilitating the recognition of these cities on the global stage, the DTI is furthering its mission to position the Philippines as Asia’s premier creative hub by 2030 — Ed: Corrie S. Narisma.
