Bohol Launches 1st Boholano Creative Industry Festival

In the spirit of collaboration among national and provincial government agencies, non-government agencies and local government units, the trade fair, agricultural fair, cultural and heritage showcase and LGU tourism showcase will be integrated in one activity --- the Sandugo 2007 which will be held on July 18 to 22.

According to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)- Bohol, Sandugo 2007 will feature the Boholano Culture and Lifestyle and will highlight how the creative sector contributes to economic growth.

DTI Bohol rationalizes that the integration of two major local fairs and component special activities will result in the upscaling of its overall attractiveness not only to locals but also for institutional buyers.

Sandugo events include the Sandugo Product and Lifestyle Fair, Creativity Agora, Creative Industry Forum, Bohol MagNegosyo Talk Show, Boholano Cookfests, Agricultural Entrepreneurship Fora, Social Development Forum and Cultural Peformances.

“The added attraction of the cultural presentations will ensure that this year’s Sandugo will be a kaleidoscope of culture, crafts, food, agriculture, lifestyle, ideas, creativity and ingenuity.”

The Sandugo Product and Lifestyle Fair showcases the best of Boholano craftsmanship and ingenuity with indigenous materials such as raffia and bamboo.

Aside from Bohol producers, DTI Bohol says that producers of fashion accessories, processed food and home furnishings from other provinces within Central Visayas will participate in the trade fair this year

The Creative Industry Agora will be a multi-media showcase featuring the crafts, agri-products, tourism destinations and programs of Bohol’s special six emerging productivity circuits: Northwestern Bohol, Anda Peninsula and Eastern Bohol, Interior Bohol, Panglao Island, Abatan River Towns and Tagbilaran City.

In the First Bohol Creative Economy Forum, speakers from the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), Center for International Exhibitions and Missions (CITEM), National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA), DTI, Asian Institute of Management (AIM) and the British Council will shed light on the nature, scope, implications of the creative industries on the local economy.

The Bohol MagNegosyo Talk Show will focus on the importance of entrepreneurship towards achieving economic growth and poverty alleviation and highlight success stories to serve as inspiration for the Boholanos.

The Agricultural Entrepreneurship Fair is a major marketing and promotional activity that highlights the display of fresh, organic, agricultural and processed products and tests the marketability of products and farm produce.

For more information, interested parties may call DTI-Bohol at telephone numbers (038) 5018260, 5018828, 4113302 or Email: dtibohol@yahoo.com (DTI 7)