“Likas na malikhain ang mga Filipino (The Filipinos are innately creative),” said the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and Commissioner Arvin Villalon.

Once misconstrued as a low-paying profession, with parents discouraging their children from pursuing arts with stereotypical images of  starving artists etched on their minds.

Industries Development Act (PCIDA),which mandates the creation of a long-term plan for the promotion and development of the creative industries.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is the lead agency in implementing the PCIDA.

“We are going to work together with the private sector as well as other government agencies; This is to jumpstart all the work we need to do in order for us to promote and develop the creative industry,” says DTI Undersecretary Rafaelita M. Aldaba, of the Competitiveness and Innovation Group.

And part of these activities under the PCIDA is the “ Fiestakucha: Philippine Regional Creative Festivals,” which will serve as a platform for the celebration, promotion, and enrichment of the diversity of talent and creativity in the various regions of the country.

“FiestaKucha” is inspired by a combination of the Filipino tradition of “fiestas” and the Japanese story-telling style  known as “PechaKucha”. The term “PechaKucha” is a Japanese onomatopoeia for “chit-chat.”

By focusing on cultural exchange, collaboration, support for emerging artists and engagement, the festival will nurture and inspire the creative industries in the respective regions.

creative sector according to national and international standards; 4) ensuring protection of rights and welfare of creatives; and 5) promoting economic growth and development. 

Economic opportunities

For 42-year-old Davao City-based animator Carl Isaac (not his real name), there is money in arts, as this has sustained him economically working for local, national, and global clients.

“Lucrative kaayo, naay kwarta diri labi na kung naa ka consistent clients like every month (It is very lucrative; there is money here, especially if you have consistent clients like every month),” said Isaac.

For a five-minute 2D animation project, the talent fee runs at an average of P25,000 to P35,000, or for a one- to two-minute 3D animation project, he sets around P50,000.

“It depends on the project. There are some who earn hundreds of thousands or even millions katong naa sa gawas (those working overseas),” Isaac said.

Among his typical projects include 2D animation for marketing collateral and architecture 3D modeling and rendering used as promotional materials.

represented his school in art contests and won awards. In the mid-2000s, he came to Davao City to work as a videographer and video editor for a film and video production studio that was producing independent films and local television shows.

“Nag camera operator ko, nag production assistant, then nag video editor, nahimo pa gani kog artista sa indie film (I was a camera operator, was the video editor, I even became an actor in an indie film),” Isaac recalled.

His advice to those pursuing creatives as a profession is to work hard and to constantly improve themselves by learning new skills. 

“Mag invest dyud ka sa imong sarili (You must invest in yourself),” Isaac said.

In 2009, together with a co-worker, they enrolled in a school in Makati for six months of extensive training in animation.

He said there is an increasing demand for animators. 

“Daghan naga pahimo ug like mga infographics, motion graphics, in fact daghan mga outsourcing companies on the lookout sa mga animators (There are many clients for infographics, motion graphics in fact there are many outsourcing companies on the lookout for animators),” Isaac said. (RGA/PIA Davao)