DTI showcases creativity and industry policies at Kultura Fest 2025

Posted: March 12, 2025
A group of individuals from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the City Government of Muntinlupa stand together on stage during the Kultura at Negosyo segment of Kultura Fest 2025 at Festival Mall, Alabang. They are holding commemorative items and smiling for the camera, celebrating the collaboration to support Filipino creativity and entrepreneurship.
From L to R: Representatives from the City Government of Muntinlupa’s Tourism, Culture, and the Arts Department—Mr. Kyle Louis Custodio, Mr. Karl James Casanova, and Ms. Angelie Oboy—join (center) Atty. Ma. Teresa G. Faustino of the Bureau of Policy Research and Innovation (BPRI), Assistant Director Jerico D. Namoro, EnP., of the Bureau of Market Development, Promotions, and OTOP (BMDPO), and Director Lilian G. Salonga of the Bureau of Competitive Development (BCD) and Creative Industries Development Office (CIDO), along with (R-L) Ms. Cristine Marie Aguilar and Mr. Michel Arnel Enriquez during the Kultura at Negosyo segment of Kultura Fest 2025 at Festival Mall, Alabang.

Muntinlupa City, Philippines—From February 26 to March 2, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in collaboration with the Muntinlupa City Government, successfully hosted the Kultura Fest Philippine Trade Fair at Festival Mall, Filinvest City, Alabang. The fair showcased the rich heritage and entrepreneurial spirit of Filipino artisans and businesses through its “Kultura at Negosyo” segment.

During the closing festivities, there was a series of discussions focusing on three landmark policies that the DTI has actively championed—the One Town, One Product (OTOP) Philippines Act, Tatak Pinoy (Proudly Filipino) Act, and the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act (PCIDA).

Representatives from the local government unit of Muntinlupa and regional micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) participated in the discussions, underscoring the impact of these national policies on local industries.

As part of the PCIDA discussion, Director Lilian G. Salonga of the Bureau of Competitive Development and Creative Industries Development Office engaged the audience with an interactive trivia segment on the nine creative domains recognized under the law. These include audiovisual media, creative services, performing arts, publishing and printed media, design, visual arts, digital interactive media, traditional cultural expressions, and cultural sites.

To make the session more dynamic, Director Salonga also distributed limited-edition Malikhaing Pinoy Beep cards, reinforcing the significance of Filipino creativity.

Joining Director Salonga at the trade fair were Atty. Ma. Teresa G. Faustino of the Bureau of Policy Research and Innovation, Assistant Director Jerico D. Namoro, EnP. of the Bureau of Market Development, Promotions, and OTOP.

“The Malikhaing Pinoy Program (MPP) is more than an initiative—it’s a movement to position the Philippines as Asia’s Premier Creative Hub by 2030. Through capacity-building, market access, and digital transformation, we are empowering Filipino creatives to thrive and succeed on the global stage,” said DTI Assistant Director Jo-Dann Darong, emphasizing the MPP’s crucial role in driving the sector forward.

The DTI and the Muntinlupa City Government reaffirmed their commitment to developing local talent, supporting MSMEs, and advancing the creative economy through the Kultura Fest. The event served as a platform to educate, inspire, and empower Filipino entrepreneurs while celebrating the country’s vibrant cultural heritage. ♦

Date of Release: 12 March 2025