DTI, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, CSB, Malikhaing Pinoy Chats, Creative Campuses, Creative Industries, Creative Placemaking, Higher Education, Academe-Industry Collaboration, Philippine Creative Industries Development Act, DTI-CIDO, Innovation, Creative Ecosystem, Manila, Philippines, Nylah Rizza D. Bautista, Lilian G. Salonga, British Council Philippines, CHED, PTTC, TESDA, Benilde HiFi Alt Text for the Image: Group photo of participants and speakers at the "Malikhaing Pinoy Chats: Building Creative Campuses" event, taken inside an auditorium at the Benilde Design + Arts Campus. Prominently featured in the front row (center, L-R) are Andrei Nikolai Pamintuan (British Council Philippines), DTI Asec. Nylah Rizza D. Bautista, DTI-CIDO OIC Director Lilian G. Salonga, Alain Zedrick S. Camiling (Benilde), and Clarrezn A. Ramirez (Benilde).
In photo: Participants of Malikhaing Pinoy Chats with (center, L-R) Mr. Andrei Nikolai Pamintuan, Head of Arts of British Council Philippines; DTI Competitiveness and Innovation Group (CIG) Supervising Head and Assistant Secretary Nylah Rizza D. Bautista; Creative Industries Development Office (CIDO) Officer-in-Charge Director Lilian G. Salonga; Mr. Alain Zedrick S. Camiling, Chairperson of Benilde’s BA Creative Industries Management Program; and Ms. Clarrezn A. Ramirez, Education and Promotions Coordinator, Benilde’s Center for Campus Art.

Manila City, Philippines—On March 28, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in collaboration with De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, convened stakeholders for “Malikhaing Pinoy Chats: Building Creative Campuses”—a dialogue on the vital role of creative placemaking in higher education. Held at the Design + Arts Campus, the event gathered students, educators, government officials, and creative industry leaders in a dynamic exchange of ideas.

Benilde Vice Chancellor for Academics Angelo Marco U. Lacson opened the program, followed by a presentation from DTI-Creative Industries Development Office Officer-in-Charge, Director Lilian G. Salonga. Director Salonga emphasized the economic contributions of the creative industries and outlined the DTI’s ongoing efforts to support these sectors under the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act.

The event included insightful presentations by Mr. Andrei Nikolai Pamintuan (Head of Arts, British Council Philippines), Mr. Alain Zedrick S. Camiling (Chairperson, BA Creative Industries Management Program, Benilde), and Ms. Clarrezn A. Ramirez (Coordinator, Center for Campus Art Education and Promotions, Benilde).

A panel discussion further enriched the dialogue, featuring Commission on Higher Education Technical Committee for Hospitality Management and Tourism Management Chairperson Benhur A. Ong, Philippine Trade Training Center Engr. Kyrin Christian V. Pango, and Ms. Myleen B. Herrera of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. The panel tackled the importance of collaboration between the academe and industry in cultivating innovation across creative industries.

Participants also visited the Benilde Hub of Innovation for Inclusion (HiFi), a technology business incubator that serves as a hub for innovative startups. The HiFi functioned as a tangible example of how creative placemaking can power inclusive growth in the creative economy.

Participants and organizers of the "Malikhaing Pinoy Chats" event pose for a group photo inside the modern, well-lit space of the Benilde Hub of Innovation for Inclusion (HiFi), with many making finger heart gestures.
In photo: Participants of a guided tour of the Benilde Hub of Innovation for Inclusion (HiFi), with (seated in front, L-R) Mr. Paul Pajo, Director of Benilde HiFi; Architect Alexander Abear, Incubation Management Unit Head of Benilde HiFi; DTI-CIG Supervising Head and Assistant Secretary Nylah Rizza D. Bautista; CIDO Officer-in-Charge Director Lilian G. Salonga; and CIDO Program Manager Atty. Gio Franco R. Gomez.

The “Malikhaing Pinoy Chats Series” is a strategic initiative of the DTI that cultivates a robust creative ecosystem by facilitating dialogue on existing policies and programs. It promotes the exchange of best practices and builds partnerships across government agencies, non-government organizations, the academe, business groups, creative worker associations, and other key stakeholders.

This series highlighted the value of creative education, recognizing campuses as dynamic hubs for creativity and cultural expression. These learning spaces empower young creatives to innovate and help shape communities.

As the discussion set the stage for future collaboration, the event concluded with a call to action for continued innovation and partnership in the creative industry.

“As we move forward, let us take today’s insights and transform them into concrete actions. Let us continue to build schools and universities that are not just places of learning but living creative ecosystems—where students, educators, and industry leaders co-create, experiment, and innovate together,” said DTI-Competitiveness and Innovation Group Supervising Head and Assistant Secretary Nylah Rizza D. Bautista. ♦

Date of Release: 08 April 2025

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