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DTI powers Filipino enterprises’ digital leap at Food Festival 2025
Mandaluyong, Philippines—The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) spotlighted Filipino cuisine and empowered local businesses with the three-day run of Food Festival 2025, held from May 30 to June 1 at Megatrade Halls 1–3, SM Megamall. This landmark event showcased the richness of Philippine gastronomy and the innovative spirit of over 250 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) exhibitors, seamlessly blending tradition, technology, and creativity.
“Under the leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. with his Bagong Pilipinas vision, we are building a country where Filipino culture, creativity, and enterprise thrive hand in hand,” said DTI Secretary Cristina A. Roque.
Pasay City, Philippines—The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) successfully concluded the Young Creatives Challenge (YC2) Season 2 with a grand finale event held at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall on May 6. Spearheaded by the DTI Bureau of Competitive Development and the Creative Industries Development Office, the event served as a national platform to honor and showcase the exceptional talents of young Filipino creatives across various disciplines. The grand finale celebrated the imagination, voice, and vision of the nation’s most promising young talents through a program filled with recognition, performances, and celebration.
Pasig City, Philippines—The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in partnership with Meridian International Business, Arts and Technology (MINT) College, celebrated the successful culmination of the Malikhaing Pinoy: Music Business Masterclasses with a graduation ceremony and concert held at the MINT College Pasig Campus on April 05.
Driven by Filipino creativity and world-class professionalism, the event marked a significant milestone for the Philippines’ creative economy. Eighty-one (81) scholars from across the country completed an intensive 10-day industry-focused training designed to equip emerging music professionals with the tools to navigate and thrive in the global music industry. These masterclasses represent a bold step towards developing a stronger, more sustainable creative ecosystem.
Pasig City, Philippines—The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in partnership with Meridian International Business, Arts and Technology (MINT) College, celebrated the successful culmination of the Malikhaing Pinoy: Music Business Masterclasses with a graduation ceremony and concert held at the MINT College Pasig Campus on April 05.
Driven by Filipino creativity and world-class professionalism, the event marked a significant milestone for the Philippines’ creative economy. Eighty-one (81) scholars from across the country completed an intensive 10-day industry-focused training designed to equip emerging music professionals with the tools to navigate and thrive in the global music industry. These masterclasses represent a bold step towards developing a stronger, more sustainable creative ecosystem.
Makati City, Philippines—The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) successfully concluded the Malikhaing Pinoy: Online Content Creation Class on February 7, equipping 23 scholars with knowledge and skills in online content creation. This four-day initiative aimed to harness Filipino creativity and promote culturally rich storytelling in the digital space.
Facilitated by the Creative Industries Development Office, the program provided comprehensive training in art and science of online content creation. Esteemed mentors and directors, including Leo Martinez, Raymond Red, Ricky Orellana, Jr., Mel Bacani III, Senen Dimaguila, Jr., and Jolevs Domingo, guided the participants.
Quezon City, Philippines––The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Quezon City Film Commission (QCFC) officially launched their partnership through a ceremonial event held on December 12. To jumpstart the partnership, the DTI committed to support the winners of QCFC’s Young Creatives Challenge (YC2). Spearheaded by the DTI, in collaboration with the Office of Senator Imee Marcos, YC2 is part of the Malikhaing Pinoy Program that seeks to address the challenges in the creative industries. In photo: DTI Director Lilian G. Salonga, DTI Undersecretary Rafaelita M. Aldaba, QCFC Executive Director Liza Diño, and Quezon City Acting Chief Tourism Operations Officer Giana Aira Barata
DTI launches Young Creatives Challenge Season 2, expands to include younger Filipino talents
Makati City, Philippines—The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) officially unveiled the second season of the Young Creatives Challenge (YC2), further empowering the next generation of Filipino creative talent. On September 26, a launch event held at OneAyala Malls marked the expansion of YC2 to include the Elementary and High School Editions. This is in addition to the established Regular Edition for creatives aged 18 to 35. Spearheaded by the DTI Creative Industries Development Office with the support of the Office of Senator Imee Marcos, the second season of YC2 invites young Filipinos to explore their creativity under the key themes of #Love, #Creativity, and #Future.
Manila, Philippines, 23 August 2024 —The Department of Trade and Industry culminates the Creative Cities and Municipalities Congress (CCMC) with the highly anticipated Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) awarding ceremony, held at the Fiesta Pavilion of The Manila Hotel. The event recognizes the outstanding achievements of local government units (LGUs) across the country, highlighting their efforts in fostering economic dynamism, government efficiency, infrastructure development, resilience, and innovation. DTI Executive Officials and Local Government Executives at the Creative Cities and Municipalities Congress
Pasay City, Philippines––The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) championed the Philippine creative industries with the 2024 “Lunsod Lunsad” Awarding Ceremony and the ceremonial signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP). From L to R: Director Lilian Salonga, Undersecretary Rafaelita M. Aldaba, FDCP Chairperson and CEO Jose Javier “Joey” Reyes, and FDCP Executive Director Daniel David Morales
YC2 Awardees took center stage at the Philippine Game Development Expo (PGDX) 2024, showcasing their innovative games such as High Times, Craggenrock, Keyboard Warrior RPG, and Pisonet Simulator. The event, held at the SMX Convention Center, also featured other prominent developers like Pastille and Kuro.kky, who displayed their latest creations. Organized by the Game Developers Association of the Philippines (GDAP) in collaboration with DTI and other partners, PGDX 2024 highlighted the vibrant and growing talent within the Philippine game development industry.
The moment we've all been waiting for - the official results from the Young Creatives Challenge Grand Finals and Awarding Ceremony are in! 🌟 Congratulations to all the talented finalists who dazzled with their creativity. 🎉
#YC2 #WeAreTheCreativesPH #iamCreativePH #iamDTIph #TheFutureisCreative
The Department of Trade and Industry, in collaboration with the Animation Council of the Philippines, Inc. and with the support of Senator Imee R. Marcos, extends its heartfelt gratitude to all participating young creatives whose dedication and outpouring of creative energy made YC2 an inspiring journey. But that's not all—only the crème de la crème, the Top 10, will advance to the Grand Finals in a face-to-face format in Metro Manila this March 2024!
Also, let's keep the excitement alive! Share the news using #YC2, #WeAreTheCreativesPH, #iamCreativePH, #iamDTIph, and #TheFutureisCreative. ✨
QUEZON CITY – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) officially announced its stellar lineup of startups and enterprises for the Incubation, Development, and Entrepreneurial Assistance (IDEA) and Accelerating Development, Valuation, and Corporate Entrepreneurship (ADVanCE) for Creatives programs last 19 February 2024 at the Launchgarage Innovation Hub, Quezon City.
DTI, in collaboration with GDAP, opens the 1st International Video Game Industry Summit
ICYMI | The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through the Competitiveness and Innovation Group (CIG), in collaboration with the DTI-Export Marketing Bureau (EMB) and the Game Developers Association of the Philippines (GDAP), has officially opened the first International Video Game Industry Summit featuring two (2) tracks: External Development and Indie Games.
Toon City Manila – Last February 8, 2024, a momentous meeting took place at Toon City, gathering animators of different specialties to engage in a pivotal discussion with the world-renowned and multi-awarded Director, story writer and animator, Ronnie del Carmen.
The Official List of YC2 Participants for Songwriting, Screenwriting, Playwriting, Graphic Novel, Animation, Game Development, and Online Content Challenge. ✨
DTI successfully concludes the Philippine Creative Industries Festival 2023
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) successfully concluded the celebration of the Philippine Creative Industries Festival (PCIF) through the staging of “Fiesta Haraya: The Fusion of Innovation, Creativity” held at One Ayala Mall, Makati City on 14 December 2023.
QUEZON CITY–On 24 September 2023, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Fred Pascual together with Senator Imee R. Marcos opened the doors of the Young Creatives Challenge (YC2) to all aspiring Filipino creative youth. The DTI Chief recognized that young Filipino creatives are the torchbearers of the Philippines’ aspiration to present Filipino talent globally.
PASAY CITY— As the Philippine Creative Industries Month (PCIM) comes to an end, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) hosted the Philippine Creativity and Innovation Convention (PCIC) on 29 September 2023 to provide a platform for networking and dialogue among international and local industry pioneers, policymakers, and creative professionals held at the Philippine International Convention Center.
The PCIDA, which lapsed into law on 28 July 2022, mandates the development of a vibrant Philippine creative industries by protecting and strengthening the rights and capacities of creative firms, artists, artisans, creators, creative workers, indigenous cultural communities, creative content providers, and other stakeholders. The law provides adequate support measures to the Philippine creative industries which currently face various binding constraints to growth, such as high output costs, fragmented education systems, piracy issues, lack of data and statistics, underdeveloped branding and infrastructure, and wide skill gaps and mismatch, among others.
The Young Creatives Challenge (YC2) is the grandest showcase of creativity in the Philippines. Organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) under its Malikhaing Pinoy Program, this nationwide competition aims to inspire, recognize, and highlight creative talents while providing young Filipino creatives with a platform for artistic growth and national recognition.