Creative Cebu declared "ASEAN City of Culture"

CEBU, Philippines - In 2010, the Philippines was designated as the first country to host the “ASEAN City of Culture” program by the ASEAN Ministers for Culture and the Arts.

Such program of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations seeks to promote ASEAN arts and culture to the world through its cities that reflect the region’s rich culture and heritage. It also aims to celebrate ASEAN arts and culture, promote the region’s creative industries, and cultivate long lasting friendship among ASEAN countries.

In March of this year, Cebu was selected from a list of possible culture cities for 2011-2012 because of its creative industries. It was the AMCA+3 who selected our city. Plus three means the direct participation of three non-ASEAN countries - People’s Republic of China, Japan and Republic of Korea, meant to enhance mutual cooperation among member countries in the areas of culture and the arts.

The declaration of Cebu City as the first ASEAN City of Culture happened on July 15, 2011 at the Radisson Blu Hotel.

In relation to the official launch, a show was put up that night at the SM City Cebu North Wing Covered Parking Area beginning with a “Parade of Nations” featuring the Norwegian Shipowners Association of Cebu Cadets as flag/emblem bearers, and then moving on to various folk dances initiated by dance troupes of local universities; “Paseo sa mga Reyna” (which could have sound distinctively Cebuano if it was written “Paseyo sa mga Rayna) highlighting the creations of our very own haute couturiers donned by Miss Cebu Tourism 2011 Mia Zeeba Ali Faridoon and her court, with Reyna ng Aliwan 2011 Rogelie Catacutan. This was capped by various nations (as represented by university-based terpsichorean) dancing to the beat of “Cebu” popularized by former local TV host/celebrity Dandin Ranillo. (FREEMAN)