Cebu City: The ASEAN City of Culture for Creative Arts

CEBU, Philippines -  Living up to being the Queen City of the South, Cebu City welcomed the declaration of it being the ASEAN City of Culture for the Creative Arts with pomp and pageantry.

The ASEAN Ministers of Culture and the Arts and the Cebu City government, headed by Mayor Michael Rama, as well as representatives of the different creative industries in the city, gathered at the Radisson Blu Hotel last July 15 for the declaration of Cebu as an ASEAN City of Culture for the Creative Arts.

The ambassadors from Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Thailand, and Vietnam were introduced to the guests of the event via dances from their respective countries performed by the dance troupes of the different universities in the city. Multi-awarded dance group Lumad Basakanon then opened the event with a production number reminiscent of their performances in the Sinulog Grand Parade and the Aliwan Festival.

Hon. Olivia V. Palala, Executive Director of the Office for ASEAN Affairs of the Department of Foreign Affairs, conferred the title of ASEAN City of Culture and turned over the certificate of declaration to Mayor Rama and the Cebu City Council on behalf of the DFA Sec. Albert del Rosario.

Palala said that it was in 2008 when the 10 members of the ASEAN, in a meeting in Myanmar, decided to push the promotion of culture and the arts in the region. It was decided in that meeting, she said, that a member-country will be declared the ASEAN Culture Capital for two years. The Philippines was the first to get the distinction of being called the ASEAN Culture Capital for 2010-2011 and since last year, the national government has been holding several activities to showcase the richness of Philippine culture.

 Aside from Cebu, nine other cities in the country have been named ASEAN Cities of Culture, namely: Manila, Angono, Tarlac, Angeles, Batangas, Roxas, Tagbilaran, Cagayan de Oro, and Dapitan. These cities, Palala said, embody the richness and uniqueness of Philippine culture as reflected in its history and creative craftsmanship of its people.

Cebu, she said, was chosen as the ASEAN City of Culture for the Creative Arts, because "it has it all."

"You name it, Cebu has it. As a province and as a city, indeed, Cebu has it all," she said. Aside from the rich cultural heritage of the city, the pristine beaches, the dynamic hotel industry, the succulent "mangga Cebu, " and world class furniture, Cebuanos are also known for their mastery of the English language, which, Palala said, has made it a choice spot as a tourist and investment destination.

Cebu City Councilor Margarita V. Osmena, who is also the chairman of the Council Committee on Tourism, said that it is an honor for Cebu City to be named an ASEAN City of Culture. The distinction, she added, should be an inspiration for all Cebuanos to move together "to make our beloved city a home we can all be proud of."

The conferment ceremony was then followed by the opening of the "View Cebu: An Exhibit of Celebration" at The Northwing Atrium of the SM City Cebu. The exhibit showcases the different creative industries that have made Cebu deserving of the title ASEAN City of Culture.

On display are the works of designers Philip Rodriguez (Kiping) and Cary Santiago (Mandaragit). Furniture pieces and accessories by Stonesets International, Inc., Accessoria Inc., Classical Geometry, Italkarat18, Apy Cane Inc., Nature's Legacy Eximport Inc., Arden Classic Inc., Pacific Traders & Manufacturing Corp., Obra Cebuana Inc., Binibini by Janice Minor and’ Debbie Palao are also on display.

The exhibit will run until July 25.