Express Yourself Party Season 2 by Expressions

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Make your own Expression - the bannering tagline of this year’s biggest self-empowering event  “Express Yourself Party” by Expressions.

Express Yourself Party pioneered last year that aims to promote positive self-expression among individuals. Express Yourself Party is an art-based activity that ignites one self-interest in art, culture and social interaction. The activities featured in this fun-filled event are painting, doodling, calligraphy, and crafting.

The success of last year’s  Express Yourself Party resulted to expand the event and reach more stores this time around. From 26 stores last year to 34 this year. Aiming with the same objective, this year, it’s still easy to join. Purchase among these merchandises, Tumbler, Cap, Eye Mask, Apron, T-shirt and Coaster priced affordably. By just simply purchasing one of those merchandises anyone will be given access to join the party. Buffet of art and craft materials are available and free on the day of the event wherein they get to choose the materials they want to use to personalize their merchandise. Materials comprise of different color of paints, brushes, pens, fabric markers, calligraphy pens, beads, and loads of other art and craft materials. These materials are provided by Expressions event partners, among them are Marvy Uchida, Colleen, Deli, Valiant, Prestige Paper Products, ICre8, and Elmers. Selected partners also have activity booths in most of the event locations, participants can experience and enjoy their products and activities.

On top of that, participants are given a chance to meet art enthusiasts wherein they can get inspiration and share their thoughts and experiences.

The event begins this September and ends this coming October. The event is scheduled every weekend at different locations across the country. It is a whole day activity that runs from 10 am to 5 pm.

As more and more individuals discover their inner self, Expressions will continue to make an avenue wherein fun, learning and creativity meet. Expressions expect a double result this year because they are aiming to bring this event to all Expressions stores nationwide next year.

Registration is open until the event date. Interested participants should register at the chosen participating store. Check the link to know how to join.  http://bit.ly/EYPS2ParticipatingStores

Written by Ave Marie U. Gonzales

New CITEM Head Keen to Elevate PH Creative Industry Thru CREATE Philippines 2018

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The new head of the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the export promotion arm of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), gears up the Philippine creative industry as a key driver for economic growth in the upcoming CREATE Philippines 2018.

“Create Philippines serves as a development platform where Filipino artists, professionals, developers, and other content creators can showcase their innovative ideas, collaborate with other talents, and look for new business opportunities in the global creative market,” said CITEM Executive Director Pauline Suaco-Juan in a media preview last September 18.

Launched last 2017, CREATE Philippines is the country’s first international creative industry trade platform that promotes continued learning, knowledge exchange, and business networking. Its second edition will be held on September 22-23 at the basement 1 of the Globe Tower, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

The line-up of activities includes masterclass and lecture sessions, portfolio exhibit, business consultation and networking event, and workshop and talks.
PH Creative Industry as Economic Driver

CITEM Executive Director Pauline Suaco-Juan shared a light moment with a lifestyle reporter and CDAP President Jowee Alviar during an interview at the CREATE Philippines 2018: Media Preview on September 18, 2018.

As a former editor-in-chief of Preview magazine for 15 years, Suaco-Juan emphasized the role of Philippine creative industry as an engine of economic growth, particularly in mobilizing innovation and job generation.

In 2014 alone, the Philippine creative industry has contributed over P660 billion to the economy based on a report by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). This is equivalent to about 7.34 percent of the country’s growth domestic product (GDP) on that same year.

In terms of employment, the contribution of Philippine creative industry to the economy is among the highest in the world.  Filipino workers in the advertising, film, and video, music, performing arts, publishing, broadcasting, visual, game development, and graphic arts make up around 11 percent of our labor force as of 2014.

However, Filipino creatives only ranked 22nd in their contribution to the country's GDP despite taking up a big portion of the labor market based on the same WIPO report.

“There is a significant disconnect between how much we depend on the creative industries for employment and how much we value their contributions to the economy,” Suaco-Juan said.

“That is why there is a strong need to advance the Philippine creative industry. While relatively in its infancy development stage, the sector continues to demonstrate its economic potential and viability largely thanks to Filipino talents who are recognized worldwide,” she added.

2018 Theme: Communication Design
With an aim to develop the new emerging creative industries, CITEM has decided to focus on a sector for the next editions of CREATE Philippines. Communication Design was chosen for 2018 which led to a renewed partnership with the Communication Design Association of the Philippines (CDAP).

Suaco-Juan said focus allows CREATE Philippines to “highlight the capabilities of creatives in their particular specialization.”
Communication Design is the art and practice of planning and projecting ideas and experiences with visual and textual content. The form it takes can be physical or virtual and can include images, words, or graphics.

CDAP President and TeamManila co-founder Jowee Alviar said that the focus on Communication Design has inspired their sector to “organize everyone in terms of design standards, training, and education up to engagement with the government to support the development of the industry.”
“CREATE Philippines serves as a great opportunity for Filipino creatives to really explore their passion and be in an environment where they can thrive and ideate,” said Alviar. “With these kind of events, I can say that the future looks good for the next generation of creatives since we can count on the government to support us.”

For those interested in joining CREATE Philippines 2018, kindly visit www.citem.com/createphilippines and register now.

You may also follow CREATE Philippines on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to get more updates on its upcoming events and activities

PUV Modernization Program Gains Steam, 484 Cooperatives Formed

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The PUV Modernization Program, the biggest transformational initiative of the Duterte administration, is gaining steam with 484 transport cooperatives formed within a year of implementation.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) are currently processing over 400 applications from cooperatives as part of effective industry consolidation. This strategic merging of smaller transport industry players aims to give drivers and operator better access to funding and other benefits. 

The DOTr-LTFRB has set up a One-Stop-Shop (OSS) facility in Mandaluyong, which houses different government agencies for faster and efficient processing of franchise and new route applications, among others. 

“The scale and the impact of this program is huge. At ito po talaga, direkta na mararamdaman ng mga kababayan natin.  Mas mabilis, mas maginhawa, at mas ligtas na ang kanilang pag-biyahe. Kaya kahit marami pong pagsubok sa implementasyon nito, hinding-hindi po natin yan susukuan,” said DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade. 

Apart from consolidating franchises, the DOTr-LTFRB is also currently in the process of identifying and studying new and developmental routes all over the country.

As of 17 September 2018, 49 out of 59 batches have finished the two-part course in drafting the Local Public Transportation Route Plan (LPTRP). The route plan is tasked to the Local Government Units (LGUs) who are in a better position to identify local public transport service requirements. Capacity Building is expected to conclude on 05 October 2018. 

“From the start, we have been campaigning for better public transport and accessibility options for the public. We have been engaging our LGUs to help us move things forward. They know the needs of their constituents better because they are on the ground, and with this, we hope that all routes nationwide will be properly served,” said DOTr Assistant Secretary for Road Transport Mark Richmund De Leon.

Since its launch last year, the PUVMP has opened 15 operational routes for modern jeepneys in the National Capital Region (NCR), Region VI and Region VIII.