By John Tria
#MINDANAO
Walking through the Mindanao Art Fair in a major shopping mall in Davao City, it is clear that the hundreds of paintings and other artworks reflect the massive increase in interest in the visual arts among Mindanao’s 26 million residents. Participating in the large exhibit are various art clubs and collectives from the Mindanao provinces, including commercial art galleries featuring local artists, also from outside Mindanao.
The event is a vital part in the island's annual cultural calendar that will likely arouse more interest from art aficionados from outside Mindanao, especially from neighboring ASEAN countries. Interest in art was always strong among island residents, since the wide cultural diversity creates various indigenous forms of expression.
Artistic expressions are a good part of the local economy, since it is a component of the creative industry of any region. Promoting local art and marketing works of art outside the region adds value to a local economy.
The same is true for its music. As the Matina Town Square celebrated 25 years of being the music hub of Davao City, it is more than just a nightspot. It remains the venue of venues to celebrate various musical forms reflecting the musical diversity of the island. It is where various forms, including traditional dance, are performed. Visitors are brought here to experience the musical expression of the island while enjoying food and drinks.
Since various forms are celebrated here in mainstream events, there is an innate respect and appreciation for cultural diversity. The diversity includes the art forms of the indigenous and the migrant, from the urban cityscape to the rural landscape and seascape that has, over the centuries, formed the Mindanao soul that will express and assert itself in the wider world, standing against prejudice reflected in the desire to assert Mindanao’s diversity and uniqueness, especially in how the outside world and Mindanao itself is viewed by others.
In sum, the art explosion is such because there is just so much in Mindanao’s diverse culture. There is just so much in the islands, history, natural wonders, and abundance to inspire various forms of artistic expression. With new ways of expressing art, even online, I am confident that more of the world will see Mindanao’s art, and artists.
I am sure that in the coming years, more art and music events will be launched and regularly celebrated.
More attention to the SIPP
As we head toward the end of the year, we will expect approval of the 2025-2028 Strategic Investments Priorities Plan (SIPP). Issued every three years, the SIPP is an important document issued by the Board of Investments (BOI) that identifies the kinds of investments that must be established in order to sustain or expand economic growth. It pretty much serves as our industrial policy, since it identifies which industries are needed.
In Mindanao’s case, there remains the need for manufacturing enterprises to help add value to Mindanao’s raw materials and agricultural products. As I have written previously, responsible mining and mineral processing need to be promoted, as well as the creative industries in art, fashion, and music.
This is where investment promotion committees in the various regional development councils will be needed to ensure that the SIPP’s focus areas are promoted to a wider set of potential investors. Intensified promotion of the green lanes for investment and the ease of doing business law will be necessary to attract investment.
With many disruptions and uncertainties upon us, I believe the SIPP must be taken seriously by various agencies, as these bring opportunity that strengthens local economies.
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