Creative talks, workshops, art exhibits and installations, a music fest, and a creator’s market will be happening in Cebu this month.

Spark starter and art enabler Create Cebu, in collaboration with the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP), A SPACE, Crossroads Mall, DOST 7, and DTI Region 7, brings together creative communities of Cebu through CRISSCROSSINGS: Creative Convergence this Jan. 12 to 14 at Crossroads Cebu and ECCP Matic.

The event intends to promote Cebu as an ASEAN destination for culture and the arts, as well as contribute to its chances of being recognized as a UNESCO Creative City.

“We’re hoping to bridge art and industry, which will make the creative economy in Cebu flourish. We’re really passionate about nurturing the Cebuano identity through creative entrepreneurship,” said Cecilia Martinez Miranda, one of the co-convenors of Create Cebu.

One of the main highlights is a Creator’s Market displaying Cebuano products and services. It will also host various talks and workshops geared toward advancing creative skills. Among them will be the Grow Cebu Music: The Summit and Concert, which aims to gather and strengthen the local music community whilst developing an audience for Cebuano talent.

Kae Batiquin, another of the organization’s leaders, said, “One of the main goals of the event is to improve Cebu’s livability through creativity and the arts. We believe that art has a role to play in uniting Cebuanos, especially the creative sector, to create more that would boost Cebu’s image as the country’s creative capital and its standing amongst other ASEAN creative communities.” 

More events are in store for Cebuanos this February. ECCP will be hosting tech-related events such as iConnect, which will be focusing on developing effective social media marketing campaigns, and Startup Grind in partnership with Google for Entrepreneurs, which will educate, inspire, and connect entrepreneurs. (PR)

This article was originally published on January 11, 2018 on SunStar Philippines (print)