When Cebu has gained an accolade as ‘Creative City of Design’, it was more of a confirmation than a declaration. Cebu, for both locals and tourists, has been regarded as an island of creativity even before it was formally hailed as such by UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN)– an initiative to foster cooperation among cities in the world that have stressed strategic significance of creativity in sustainable development.
As I repeatedly observed,Cebu has created a business climate where the ascent of execution is met halfway by the descent of innovation. Cebu is entirely unique as an investment destination because for years, it has gained a reputation as an island of innovation where entrepreneurs ceaselessly explore new ideas and responsively embrace a degree of discipline to execute these ideas into sustainable business propositions.
However, we owe it to UCCN for affirmatively authenticating the title of ‘Creative City of Design’ and eventually for putting Cebu on the world map of creativity. In same vein, we owe it to Cebuano people – the forefathers and the new children of arts alike — whose collective sense of creativity has made Cebu to become as aesthetically driven as it is now and how it would fulfil its full potential to stand out as a prominent icon of design among big cities in the world.
Early days of Cebuano romanticism with creativity
The narratives of Cebuano creativity is historically traceable even prior to the arrival of Christianity in Cebu as revealed by evident artifacts found in some places of the island. However, only in the sixteenth century that Cebuano precursors of visual arts were professionally engaged for Catholic Church in Cebu and its dioceses in the neigboring islands.
One study observed that “early known accounts of professional visual artists in Cebu were borne out of the church’s practice to commission painters and sculptors to depict Biblical stories and important religious figures of the Catholic hierarchy as a means of educating people with visual Christian doctrines.”
Notably, with Catholic Church as the driving force, visual arts created a spark of earning opportunity for artists during the years of colonization. However, it was limited for a single market segment- the Church. Besides, the creativity during this period revolved around the confines of arts only for art’s sake. It means that not in this period was visual art become instrumental to open up other business opportunities.
It was only after the colonization that art collection and trading system have gradually evolved into a commercial scale of wider market reach. But today the credit goes to sustained effort and persistent spirit of our forefathers who laid a great foundation for creative patronage in the island of Cebu.
The transformative character of creative industry
In modern times, Cebuano creativity has become a catalyst to spur stronger economic growth within and beyond the border of broader creative ecosystem. In the realm of media, printed, audio and digital content; visual and performance arts; heritage, both in cultural expression and sites and; functional creations, both in design and creative services, the Cebu creative community found a common ground as a takeoff point towards a higher yet strategic space of business opportunities and growth.
This creative collaboration became evident during the Cebu Design Week last September 8-15, 2019. “It is a week-long celebration of the capabilities, creativity and innovation of several industries in Cebu. Envisioned to enhance Cebu’s position as the number one tourist destination in the country, the Cebu Design Week is designed to attract foreign and local tourists, guests and investors into Cebu through the showcase of the creative economies that has put Cebu in the world map.”(www.cebudesignweek.com).
After finding the point of intersection between business and creativity, Cebu’s transformative character has ushered creative industries into a new sphere where they become strategic drivers for sustainable development and builders of sound economy.
In times of social apathy, design media will become a shaper of social consciousness and new political paradigm.
In times of conflict, performing arts will create an atmosphere of peace where friendship abounds in every community.
In striking ecological balance, urban planning and architectural design will be monuments of conscience to protect and save the Mother Earth from destruction.
In collaborative space of creativity, our heritage and cultural expression will turn and raise up Cebu into a premier destination for creativity and innovation.
And most of all, it is in this great “Creative City of Design” where our creative culture will inspire and educate people to find meaning and happiness in life through creative expression and appreciation.
A call to sign up in the covenant of creativity
The transformative yet sustainable character of Cebuano creativity may not suffice unless each of one of us in the creative space will sign up in the covenant of creativity. Thus, as a creative citizen, we will pledge to observe the seven cardinal principles of creativity, by taking an oath, thus:
1.) I will strive that any creative work of mine must be value-driven; 2.) executed with high degree of discipline and 3.) Respectful of my fellow artisan’s originality and novelty. 4.) I will observe and follow the Law on Intellectual Property Rights so that 5.) I can enhance the quality of life of others and the community at large. 6.) For any service or product I offer, I must be customer-focused, at all times, with no other end in mind and desire of my heart but to 7. Leave a Legacy to the next in line.
