TWO more Philippine cities joined the Creative Cities Network of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco).
The Department of Tourism (DOT) lauded the inclusion of Dumaguete and Quezon City in the prestigious international list of creativity-driven urban cities, ‘further cementing the country’s position as a champion of sustainable urban development,’ it said in a news statement.
The Unesco made a separate announcement of 58 additional Creative Cities, which now join its dedicated network as part of its celebration of World Cities Day on October 31. This brings the network to 408 cities in more than 100 countries, recognized for their commitment to creative industries and cultural life.
‘Unesco Creative Cities demonstrate that culture and creative industries can be concrete drivers of development. By welcoming 58 new cities, we are strengthening a Network where creativity supports local initiatives, attracts investment and promotes social cohesion,’ said agency Director-General Audrey Azoulay.
Quezon City, which is home to the country’s biggest film studios, broadcasting networks, and the annual QCinema International Film Festival, earned the ‘Creative City of Film’ distinction. It is among the first cities in Southeast Asia to receive the recognition, strengthening its position as the country’s film capital and the ‘heart of Philippine cinema.’
Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental was recognized as a ‘Creative City of Literature,’ for its long-standing heritage in literature and its vibrant community of writers and readers. The city is home to Silliman University, which hosts the annual National Writers Workshop, the oldest creative writing workshop in Asia, which has produced generations of acclaimed Filipino authors.
In a statement, QC Mayor Joy Belmonte said, ‘QC Film City is now a name that will forever be etched in the legacy of every filmmaker, artist, and storyteller who has shaped our city’s vibrant film heritage. From the golden era of Sampaguita Pictures and the brilliance of icons like Lino Brocka, Dolphy, Nora Aunor and Fernando Poe Jr., to the new generation of creators bringing our stories to life today-this recognition honors each and every one of them.’
She dedicated the Unesco recognition to ‘the workers behind the screen and the QC citizens who deserve access to quality films.’
In a post on Facebook, Dumaguete City Mayor Manuel ‘Chiquiting’ Sagarbarria said: ‘Dumaguete is a veritable City of Stories, a confluence of creative narratives which have shaped its cultural identity.. [We have] also produced numerous winners of national literary awards such as the Palanca, and two National Artists-Edith Tiempo for Literature, and Eddie Romero for Film. No other Philippine city of its comparable size can boast this claim.’
He noted: ‘Today, Dumaguete’s literary tradition is enriched with new initiatives by grassroots creatives, including the Buglas Writers Guild (creative writers), Pinspired (storytellers through design), Beetzee and Lutas Film Festival (filmmakers), Youth Advocates Through Theater Arts (theater artists), Belltower Project (musicians), and others.’
With the addition of QC and Dumaguete, the Philippines now has five cities in the UN Creative Cities Network (UCCN), which includes Baguio City for Crafts and Folk Art (2017), Cebu City for Design (2019), and Iloilo City for Gastronomy (2023).
Unesco said it added a new theme to its UCCN-Architecture-to the seven existing ones: Crafts and Folk Art, Media Arts, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, and Music. ‘These cities stand out for their active commitment to culture and creativity, as well as their innovative approaches to urban planning,’ added Azoulay.
Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland in Finland, and Quito in Ecuador were among the cities recognized for their architecture.