The City College of Cagayan de Oro (CCCDO) took a significant step towards establishing the city as a creative hub by conducting a Collaborative Online Exploratory Meeting on Creative Arts on January 28, 2025. The meeting, part of CCCDO's ongoing commitment to the JAVARICE Consortium (Joint Alliance for Visual Arts, Research, Innovation, and Creative Enterprise), brought together national and local artists, Department Creative Focal persons from the Local Government Unit (LGU), Department of Education, and other stakeholders to discuss the state of the Philippine creative industries, current initiatives, challenges encountered, and collaborative solutions to boost the creative sector.
Dr. Jestoni P. Babia, College President, in his opening message, highlighted the essence of creative works, creative industries, and collaboration in driving economic development globally, boosting GDP, creating jobs, and fostering cultural pride. Dr. Babia further emphasized that the Philippine Creative Industries Development Plan (PCIDP) provides a clear framework for unlocking creative initiatives and innovations that Cagayan de Oro could align its efforts with.
“By aligning our local efforts with this national roadmap, we can position Cagayan de Oro as a hub of creativity and innovation, capable of standing alongside the world’s most dynamic cities,” he added.
Meanwhile, Professor Jonathan A. Madronero, Vice-President of the UNLI Research Innovation and Creative Enterprise, articulated that such initiatives aim to unite artists, researchers, and innovators in a shared mission to elevate creative works, spark groundbreaking ideas, and champion the power of imagination.
The meeting, facilitated by Dr. Jean T. Loquillano, Director of Creative Arts, provided a platform for insightful discussions and contributions from participants. The collaborative effort aligns with national and local goals to position Cagayan de Oro as a center for creativity and innovation. Discussions focused on strengthening and showcasing creative arts, fostering innovation, and ensuring sustainability within the field.