The creative industry is an unsung hero in the grand tapestry of nation-building. Beyond the glitz and glamour, it is a powerful engine for economic growth, generating jobs and foreign exchange.
More importantly, it shapes our national identity and soft power. We tell our stories to the world through film, music, fashion, and the arts, fostering cultural exchange and understanding. Creativity also fuels innovation, driving technological advancements and improving our quality of life.
Rep. Christopher “Toff” Vera Perez de Venecia of Pangasinan’s Fourth District has championed the Philippine creative industries and given them the voice they sorely needed in Philippine politics.
The esteemed lawmaker obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the Ateneo de Manila University and took public leadership courses at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.
Drawing from his experiences as a TV and film actor, newspaper columnist, magazine editor, theater director, as well as producer and founder of two of Manila’s leading theater companies–The Sandbox Collective and 9Works Theatrical–he has trained the attention of the House to the needs of those who have valiantly worked to promote Philippine arts and culture, and who showcase in every form the magnificence of Filipino artistry.
One of his relevant acts to champion the creative industries is being the principal author of Republic Act 11904 or the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act, a landmark legislation that seeks to promote economic growth, nation-building, and creativity, which aims to make the Philippines the number one creative economy in the ASEAN region.
In 2023, the creative economy contributed P1.72 trillion or 7.1 percent of the country’s GDP, with 7.26 million individuals employed in the creative industries.
He also authored Republic Act 11961, or the Cultural Mapping Law, which was enacted into law on August 24, 2023. It aims to preserve and promote the country’s rich cultural heritage, creating a comprehensive cultural inventory that details tangible and intangible cultural properties, heritage sites, traditions, and practices.
Other legislations he authored include Republic Act 11960 or the One Town, One Product (OTOP) Philippines Act, which institutionalizes the OTOP Philippines program and shall serve as a stimulus program that will encourage MSME growth in the countryside through the development of Indigenous raw materials, utilization of local skills and talents, and featuring local traditions and cultures across the country, and Republic Act 11985 or the Philippine Salt Industry Development Act that aims to revitalize and modernize the Philippine salt industry, focusing on promoting sustainable salt production, improving the quality standards, and enhancing the competitiveness of locally produced salt.
Rep. De Venecia is also the lead convener of the Arts, Culture, and Creative Industries Bloc (ACCIB) as well as the Chairperson of the Special Committee on Creative Industries in the 18th and 19th Congresses, both of which provide legislative support to the creative economy.
Besides his continuous efforts to promote the creative industry in the Philippines, the district representative also made significant contributions to empower Pangasinan’s Fourth Congressional district.
One is the GALILA Arts Festival, a vibrant and inclusive multi-arts festival that celebrates the rich tapestry of local communities within the Fourth District of Pangasinan. Moreover, the celebration embraces the ethos of creativity and community empowerment by providing a platform for residents to actively participate in shaping and showcasing their cultural heritage, artistic expressions, and collective identities.
There’s also the Anakbanwan Creative Residency, which Rep. De Venecia launched in 2021 to provide a venue for creatives to immerse themselves in the different communities, experience cultural heritage, and learn from diverse practices in the Fourth District of Pangasinan. It invites artists across all disciplines to conduct research and immerse themselves in creative communities, experience cultural heritage, learn from diverse artistic practices, and experience the ecological landscape in the fourth district as well as the interior (alog) and coastal (baybay) municipalities within the Province of Pangasinan.
Additionally, the artists-in-residency program is designed for participants to explore the relationship between the arts, creativity, and neighborhoods as they respond to current social and environmental issues through sustainable arts practices. It puts as much emphasis on the creative process as it does on the outcome and is intended to engage with the public via dialogical artistic expressions.
Rep. De Venecia’s platform enables artists to create context and site-specific work while collaborating with a diverse cohort of local artisans, craft makers, and emerging arts communities in the historic region.
His other projects in Pangasinan’s Fourth District are www.explorepd4.com or Explore Pangasinan District, a tourism and culture website that features MSMEs, tourist sites, and local creatives in the district, and the Calamansian ed Lekep Butao, which offers visitors a unique calamansi-picking experience to help boost farmers’ livelihood, providing a unique experience for locals and visitors alike.
He’s also dedicated to building meaningful infrastructures in his district. Some of these include roads, school buildings, multi purpose halls, basketball courts. Rep. De Venecia also initiates medical and dental projects for his constituents.
It goes to show that highlighting the creative industry and other unique cultural experiences in his district trains the spotlight on the beauty and vibrant heritage of Pangasinan, something that many tourists, local and foreign, and investors continue to realize.
Thanks to Rep. De Venecia’s efforts in his respective district and the 19th Congress, the creative industry in the Philippines continues to flourish. And with every worker can enjoy safety and benefits as the lawmaker continues to serve as the voice for creative development in the country.
