Creative Cebu Council studies industry issues

CEBU, Philippines – Following the creation of the Creative Cebu Council, industry players are now beginning to seek solutions to their concerns in order for them to be able to do their part efficiently as the next economic drivers of Cebu.

The Creative Cebu Council, which is now composed of several sub-sector groups will start dissecting the concerns of each sub-sector, and find possible solutions to develop and professionalize each sub-sector in the industry.

Led by advertising expert Zen Pastoriza, he said that while the council is still starting, it has to prioritize the two major concerns first, which is to achieve recognition of the Creative Industry and players should "be proud of their talents."

Second, is to make the industry a world-class player, in order to accept the challenge of being an emerging contribution to the nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Initially, the council enlisted nine sub-sectors in the Creative Industry in Cebu, these are; the Advertising and Design; Animation; Architecture and Landscape; Film and Photography; Literature and Publishing; Multi-Media Arts; Music; Theater and Performing Arts; and Visual Arts.

The usual concerns of the sub-sectors are market connection, direction, technical support, promotion, and more confidence to create original concepts.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-Cebu provincial office) director Nelia F. Navarro, who is one of the catalysts in the creation of the council, said that while the government is ready to support the industry, the effort has to come from the players themselves.

This effort in organizing the Creative sector in Cebu is a good start to develop the creative industry in the province, which is starting to make waves in other parts of the world, she said.

"Creative sector is very colorful and promising industry. I believe this century is for the creative players," Navarro said in a press conference.

While in the past, Cebu is only known as the home of world-class designers in furniture and fashion, this time the aim should promote the province for its cutting-edge creativity in all sectors, not just in fashion and furniture.

"In the 1990s, we gained worldwide acceptance in design. This is the only competitive edge that's left to us, especially in the export (furniture/fashion accessory) business," Navarro said.

This time, she urged creative players to pursue a strong role as the emerging economic contributor for Cebu, capitalizing on their talents to make 'waves" in the world market, not only for furniture, fashion, and animation but practically in all aspect of creative industry.

Andrew Senior, head for creative economy unit of the British Council, earlier suggested that Cebu should maximize its creative industry and make it one of the economic drivers for the province.

Development of creative entrepreneurs is very important for Cebu, otherwise, it will lose its "golden" opportunity to capture the dynamic demand for creative talents around the world.

On the other hand, Senior underscored that the development of Cebu's creative industry will only prosper if the government will come to offer help.

In the United Kingdom for instance, Senior said a lot of government agencies are supporting the creative sector because of the strong persistence of players to strengthen the industry in the early days.

One of the things that the government should put their involvement into is the education sector, teaching students to capitalize on their talents, rather than considering it a "hobby or passion."

In the ASEAN region, the creative industry contributes only four to seven percent in the GDP. In other developed continents such as UK, and other parts of Europe the creative sector is one of the major economic drivers. (FREEMAN)