DAGUPAN CITY (PIA) — In celebration of the nationwide Creative Industries Month, 4th District Representative Christopher “Toff” De Venecia launched the second edition of the GALILA Arts Festival with the theme “Locally Led, Community Crafted,” aiming to foster a thriving creative community where local artists can learn, share skills, and collaborate with creatives from other regions of the Philippines.
The GALILA, a Pangasinan word meaning “inviting people to come over,” is a vibrant multi-arts celebration that showcases the collaborative spirit and creative synergy of artistic communities.
The arts festival aims to cultivate a deep sense of pride, belonging, and connection by empowering residents to embrace their creative potential, celebrate their unique local identity, and strengthen their ties to artistic heritage, all while enhancing the overall community spirit.
This will run from September 13 to 29. Some of the highlights of the festival include the cyanotype workshop with Tessa Martinez, PD4 surfside classics, hiraya art exhibit, Brewed Expressions: A Fusion of Art, Aroma and Craft, and the Pinsew Ed Dayat Exhibit, along with various other performances, workshops, and exhibitions
Moreover, it also presented the “Himig Himbing: Oyayi Niyanakan” (Melody of Deep Sleep: Lullabies of Birth) which explored the cultural significance of traditional lullabies and soothing songs, celebrating their role in nurturing Filipino heritage, preserving cultural identity, and connecting generations. This was held at SM Center Dagupan on Sept. 14.
De Venecia expressed gratitude to the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Department of Education (Deped), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and SM Center Dagupan for their partnership in supporting the 2nd GALILA Arts Festival. He also emphasized the importance of preserving and promoting creative industries, noting their significant contribution to the economy and the Philippines’ goal of leading the creative economy in ASEAN by 2030.
“Ang creative industry po ay isang paraan para mas makilala ng sambayanang Pilipino kung ano ba yung creative industries at ito rin po ay isang paraan kung paano ma propromote ng creatives ang kanilang mga proyekto, produkto at serbisyo para mas mapakinabangan ng sambayanang Pilipino.”
(The creative industry provides an opportunity for the Filipino people to better understand what the creative industries entail and allows creatives to showcase their projects, products, and services for the benefit of the community.)
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) based on 2023 data, the creative industries contributed 7.1 percent to the Philippines’ GDP, amounting to ₱1.72 trillion. This growth not only reflects economic figures but also supports the livelihoods of 7.26 million Filipinos.
More than 14.3 percent of the labor force finds opportunities and satisfaction in the creative economy. According to the PSA and the Department of Trade and Industry, the creative industries achieved a notable 15.5 percent year-on-year growth in the third quarter of the same year.
Febrly Carby Budon, a Grade 11 student of Dagupan City National High School who attended the event, shared, “Napakahalaga po ng ganitong activity upang ang mga nakapanood at napakinggan ay malaman kung gaano kaganda at kahalaga ng ating mga kultura. Marami pong nagsasabi na hindi mahalaga ang arts and design, pero marami po ang natuwa dahil nakita nila kung gaano ito kaganda at nakita ang mga ngiti sa bawat tao na dumalo.”
(This activity is very valuable as it helps viewers and listeners appreciate the beauty and importance of our cultures. Although some people claim that arts and design are not important, many attendees were delighted to see its beauty and the smiles on everyone present.)
Congressman De Venecia also advocated for the landmark Philippine Creative Industries Development Act, the Cultural Mapping Law, One Town One Product (OTOP) Philippines Act, and Digital VAT (Senate Bill 2528), aiming to support and protect creative industries and digital creators while further expanding and growing the creative and community sectors. (MJTAB/RPM/PIA Pangasinan)
