PROFESSIONALS in the creative industry came together Saturday for the first Creative Entrepreneurship Summit, an event meant to help transform their creative ideas into various income streams.
Organized by Go Negosyo and held at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay, the gathering’s main aim is to give Filipino creatives the boost to thrive and continue pursuing their path” through entrepreneurship.
“By providing access to mentorship and through knowledge-sharing sessions that can help them transform creative ideas into viable business ventures, we can pave the way for the Philippines to realize its aspirations of becoming a leading economy in the region,” Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion said.
BUILDING A CREATIVE ECONOMY Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion and Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina Roque lead Filipino creatives in showing off their entrepreneurship skills in the first Creative Entrepreneurship Summit, held on May 31, 2025, at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay in Parañaque City. With them are Secretary Dante Ang II of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas; Rep. Christopher V.P. De Venecia, chairman
of the Special Committee on Creative Industries, House of Representatives; Parañaque City Mayor Eric Olivarez; Engr. Lilian Salonga, Director IV of the DTI’s Bureau of Competitive Development; Kaye Tinga, president of the Cultural Center of the Philippines; Marla Rausch, president of Sikap-Creative Content Creators Association of the Philippines, Inc.; Junie Del Mundo, chairman & CEO of Eon Inc.; Womenbiz President Rhoda Caliwara; and officers of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Parañaque. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
The Creative Entrepreneurship Summit is a first of its kind for Go Negosyo, which advocates entrepreneurship for Filipinos.
The broader goal of the event is to facilitate discussion, explore synergies, and spark meaningful collaborations across the country’s various creative sectors.
The event saw industry experts and professionals share their insights on the prospects of the creative industry in the Philippines, including actors Iza Calzado-Wintle and Dingdong Dantes, Aktor PH president and chairman, respectively. Several successful creatives also gave talks to share their experiences of how they turned their passion into profit.
Complementing these plenary discussions were mentoring sessions that offered feedback and actionable guidance for participants looking to start or grow their creative businesses.
During the event, Trade Secretary Cristina Roque expressed the government’s support for the creative industry.
“This is aligned with the president’s directive, and the Department of Trade and Industry is taking this mission seriously,” she said.
Roque further noted that in 2024, the country’s creative industry generated P1.94 trillion and created 7.51 million jobs for Filipinos.
She also said the DTI recently launched the Malikhaing Pinoy website, where Filipino creatives can connect with peers and find collaborative opportunities.
The Creative Entrepreneurship Summit also became the venue to honor 11 Filipino Creative Icons/Entrepreneurs, including Ramon Orlina, Julie Lluch, Kenneth Cobonpue, Wawi Navarroza, Apo Whang-Od, Ricky Lee, Brillante Mendoza, BBDO Guerrero, Ryan Cayabyab, Michael Cinco, and Liwayway Magazine.
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