The movie trailer of “Dayo”, the first Philippine full length animation film, was shown during the 2008 State of Philippine Competitiveness event. The masterpiece of “Cutting Edge Productions” will be in cinemas on November 2008. The creation of this Philippine mythology film highlights the huge potential of young Philippine enterprises at translating creativity into innovation.
That more innovativeness is needed was the main result of two panel discussions and speeches during the 2008 State of Philippine Competitiveness event.
In the panel discussions the message was clear: how come the Philippines has such a high number of highly qualified workers, but not the best outputs? Ms. Beth MacDonald, Designer, Mr. David Guerrero, Chairman and Chief Creative Officer of BBDO Guerrero, or Mr. Senen Perlada, Director of the Bureau of Export Trade and Promotions, as well as in speeches by Ms. Maria Lourdes Fernando, Mayor of the city of Marikina, and Dr. Federico Macaranas, Director of the AIM Policy Center, shared their thoughts.
During her speech, Mayor Fernando stressed the possibility of strong improvements of the Philippines’ situation that could be achieved if the creative base of the Philippine citizens were combined with strong rules and a well settled frame. This would actually not hinder, but give a real opportunity for better and successful outcomes.
Mr. Cesar Bautista, Co-Chair of the National Competitiveness Council, underlined that the real way forward is through synergy by artists, businesses, and scientists. They need to work together in order to foster the strong Filipino human talent. He also urged the citizens to work against their negative view on the current economic situation and environment.
Dr. Macaranas later pointed out that productivity and creativity go hand in hand. A higher level could be reached through knowledge transfer and basic research which is needed to map the industry. Talented Filipinos are all over the world, but not appreciated enough in the Philippines. The Director of the AIM Policy Center encouraged especially creative solutions in order to solve this problem.
During the panel discussions on creative inputs adding value, Ms. Patricia Lontoc moderated the panel discussion.
Mr. Lirio Sandoval, President of the Book Development Association of the Philippines, saddened about the lack of continuous promotion of the Philippines’ creative industry and stressed the urgent need for a paradigm shift from print to digital.
Mr. Klaus Preschle, country representative of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Manila, underlined that the creative industries have actually become a major global economic force. The UNCTAD’s (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development) Creative Economy Report 2008 pointed out the importance and value of harnessing creative industries to facilitate inclusive economic growth in different parts of the world. Mr. Preschle compared the creative industries in Germany. This industry has found a place in the political agenda after it contributed a gross value added of at least 58 billion Euros in 2004.
Referring to the presented data, he stressed that in Asia, significant resources have been placed in order to strategically position themselves in the global creative economy. For a nation gifted with creative people, the Philippines may be holding the best card in this area and should therefore invest especially in the field of innovation.
In order to give an example of Philippines’ creativity, different exhibitions were included in the conference. Cutting Edge Productions presented the first Philippine full length animation film “Dayo”. Lulu Ocampo showed her “Bags for Life”, handmade bags, exported to Europe, that transform trash into chic accessories. May de Vera handed out examples from her “Sweet Blooms”, pastillas in form of flowers - a perfect, edible alternative to a bouquet of flowers. These and a lot more booths reflected the creative way of thinking in the Philippines.