Written by Daniella Mae Nimer & Kristin Claire Sudi Quiaoit
Photos courtesy of Janel Kate Valdez
Tatak Solid North- a trademark statement for which it is a celebration of the creative spirit of Northern Luzon proving how Filipino blood is creative by nature. The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Zonal Creativity Summit 2024, held on October 17 – 18 at the University of Baguio Cardinals Gym brought together creative people across Northern Luzon; educators, students, and artists all under the theme Bayang Pinagpala, Lahing Manlilikha. It was a two-day event that celebrated the creativity and innovation of the Filipino Community, a collaboration between the University of Baguio and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), aimed at how creativity can change education showcasing the rich cultural heritage and potential of every region in Northern Luzon.
To set the atmosphere alive, the summit kicked off with an opening ceremony and ribbon cutting in preparation for a series of collaborative discussions and workshops. The Higher Education Institutions are the best venues for the development of creativity among our students… where Filipino ingenuity and creativity will surely shine- Dr. Demetrio Anduyan Jr., Director IV of CHED – CAR, who emphasized the role of HEIs play in fostering creativity among the community.
Day one featured two plenary sessions. The first was led by Dr. Jo – Dann N. Darong of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) who discussed the Sulong sa Pagdaluyong: HEIs and the Philippine Creative Industries Roadmap, this session provided insights into ways on how the HEIs contribute to the overall development of creative industries in the country. The session proceeded with Dr. Edizon Fermin, Vice President for Academic Affairs at the National Teacher College. His presentation, Durungawan at Daluyan: HEIs enabling Environments for creativity and innovation explored the need for proper funding for academic institutions to support research initiatives that aimed at promoting and developing the creative industries.
Following the collaborative plenary sessions, is an engagement workshop entitled Lakbay Likha: Our Creative Corridors. This session splits the crowd with ther respective regions such as Regions 1, 2, 3, and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), they were tasked to discuss the unique creative niché in their area and how HEIs can integrate these into their curricula.
Day one ended with a majestic performance from different institutions and an interactive community dance to close the day.
The second day continued with another interactive workshop, the Lipat at Lapat: Identifying Institutional Priorities for Cultural Vibrance and Creative Economy, culminating in a final plenary led by Atty. Cinderella Filipina Benitez – Jaro. Her talk about Sari – Sari, Sama – Sama: Creative Philippine HEIs Rising, focuses on collaborative efforts to elevate creativity in higher education across the nation.
Bayang Pinagpala, Lahing Manlilikha- Engr. Javier Herminio Bautista, President of the University of Baguio states that the theme of the summit speaks of the incredible creative spirit that thrives across Northern Luzon, he highlighted the essential contribution of artists, educators and students to the national growth and on creative industry.
The CHED Zonal Creativity Summit 2024 was an interactive, engaging, and dynamic gathering that brought together a community of educators and creative industry leaders. It provided a space for meaningful discussions and collaboration, celebrating the creative talents of every Filipino while inspiring future innovations in education. As these people return to their respective institutions, they left the University of Baguio with a fresh perspective and a renewed commitment to nurturing creativity in their community, ensuring that the spirit of innovation continues to thrive.
