Photo courtesy: Department of Tourism
Two Philippine cities have earned global recognition for their vibrant arts and culture scene, joining the prestigious UNESCO Creative Cities Network.
UNESCO announced the inclusion of Dumaguete and Quezon City to its global roster on World Cities Day, marking their entry among 58 new members recognized for their commitment to creative industries and cultural life.
The Department of Tourism said the recognition of Dumaguete and Quezon City by the United Nations agency further cements the country’s position as a “champion of sustainable urban development.”
Quezon City, home to major film studios, broadcasting networks, and the QCinema International Film Festival, received the title “Creative City of Film”. It is among the first cities in Southeast Asia to earn the recognition.
“This announcement is timely, given Quezon City’s recent move to declare itself as the heart of Philippine cinema, adopting the theme “QC Film City” for this year’s QCinema International Film Festival. With this designation, QC Film City is now official,” said Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte in a statement.
Meanwhile, Dumaguete, known as the City of Gentle People, was named “Creative City of Literature” for its rich literary heritage and thriving community of writers and readers. The city is home to the Silliman University, which hosts the annual National Writers Workshop– Asia’s oldest creative writing workshop– which has produced generations of acclaimed Filipino authors.
The Philippines now has five cities under the UCCN: Baguio City for Crafts and Folk Art (2017), Cebu City for Design (2019), Iloilo City for Gastronomy (2023), and the newly designated Dumaguete and Quezon City.
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