TAGBILARAN City continues its inspiring journey toward becoming a UNESCO Creative City of Music with the successful implementation of the Lunsod Lunsad 2024 Creative Tourism and Entrepreneurship Program, held from December 9-11, 2024, at JJ’s Seafood Village, Tagbilaran City, Bohol.
Funded by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and facilitated by Thames International, the program highlighted the city’s commitment to fostering its creative sector, particularly its rich musical heritage.
This initiative builds on the groundwork laid during the first part of the grant in September 2024, where a Rondalla Workshop was conducted.
This earlier activity, held at the Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School (DCPNHS), engaged students from the school’s Special Program in the Arts.
It nurtured young talents and emphasized preserving and elevating traditional Filipino music, setting the stage for the program’s broader goals.
The December program brought together a diverse group of creatives and entrepreneurs from Tagbilaran City and other municipalities in Bohol.
With the guidance of Thames International, led by Mr. Jaime Noel Santos, its President, and resource speakers Ms. Katrina Mallillin and Ms. Johanna Michelle Lim, the program equipped participants with insights and tools to innovate within the creative economy.
Participants explored topics such as creative tourism strategies, entrepreneurship, and sustainable practices.
They also collaborated in crafting a roadmap aimed at positioning Tagbilaran City as a globally recognized City of Music under the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.
The program not only enhanced the skills of local creatives but also fostered a sense of community and collaboration.
By integrating the learnings from the Rondalla Workshop, the city aims to weave its traditional and contemporary musical expressions into a cohesive cultural narrative, showcasing its unique identity on a global platform.
Mayor Jane Censoria Yap, a staunch advocate of the city’s creative and cultural aspirations, emphasized the importance of these initiatives, stating: “Our efforts to nurture creativity among our youth and local creatives are rooted in our vision of Tagbilaran City as a global hub for innovation and cultural excellence. This program is a testament to our unwavering commitment to achieving this goal.”
The collaboration between the City Government of Tagbilaran, DTI, and Thames International underscores the power of partnerships in driving innovation. The roadmap crafted during the program lays out actionable steps to further strengthen the city’s creative sector and pave the way for its inclusion in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.
With the success of both the Rondalla Workshop in September and the Creative Tourism and Entrepreneurship Program in December, Tagbilaran City has laid a solid foundation for its journey toward global recognition. These initiatives demonstrate how culture and creativity can be powerful drivers of economic growth, community development, and international acclaim.
As the city continues to harmonize tradition and innovation, Tagbilaran is poised to become a beacon of creativity, enriching lives and inspiring the world through the transformative power of music and the arts.
