In photo: Tim Yap, Assistant Secretary Leonila T. Baluyut, Secretary Cristina A. Roque, and Director Marievic Bonoan

Makati City, Philippines — On November 19, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) launched the second Philippine Creative Industries Festival (PCIF) 2024 to showcase the nation’s finest creative talents and cultural innovations.

Organized by the DTI-Creative Industries Development Office (CIDO), the event—also known as “Fiesta Haraya”—seeks to feature exhibits, performances, and other immersive experiences across Filipino creative industries, such as art, media, and technology.

In her message, DTI Competitiveness and Innovation Assistant Secretary Leonila T. Baluyut shared that Fiesta Haraya, which translates to “Festivity of Imagination,” is a two-pronged initiative. The Regional Fiesta Haraya highlights local talents and traditions within the regions. These regional narratives are brought to a national audience through the National Fiesta Haraya.

“This year’s theme, ‘Our Stories through Our Creations: We Are A Creative Nation,’ perfectly encapsulates the essence of Fiesta Haraya. At its core, this emphasizes the power of storytelling and the importance of our collective creativity in shaping Filipino culture,” Asec. Baluyut said

Assistant Secretary Leonila T. Baluyut

In 2023 and 2024, a total of PHP 62 million was allocated to support the Regional Fiesta Haraya Initiative, which engaged over 14,000 participants from across all regions of the country.

The substantial investment underscores the government’s commitment to empowering creative industries, fostering collaboration, and bringing regional creativity on national and global platforms.

Fiesta Hiraya was held alongside the DTI-Bagong Pilipinas Christmas Village Trade Fairs, which are organized in collaboration with DTI-Bureau of Market Development, Promotions, and OTOP (BMDPO). These trade fairs curate a display of Philippine-made holiday decor, artisanal crafts, textiles, and festive goods from across the country.

The Christmas Village Trade Fairs and Fiesta Hayara began their exhibit at the One Ayala Mall, Makati, from November 18 to 20. The DTI is set to bring the Christmas Trade Fair and Fiesta Haraya at the Megatrade Hall, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City, from November 30 to December 4.

Secretary Cristina A. Roque during her Keynote Speech at the DTI-Bagong Pilipinas Christmas Village Fairs and Fiesta Haraya 

The Fiesta Haraya forms a major part of the DTI’s flagship initiative, the Malikhaing Pinoy Program, which aims to showcase the nation’s talent, innovation, and rich cultural heritage on the world stage. It also addresses the challenges within the Philippine creative industries to ultimately position the Philippines as a premier creative hub in Asia by 2030.

For more details, visit the DTI-CIDO Facebook page at @DTICIDO. ♦

Date of release: 27 November 2024

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