METRO MANILA – The vibrant creative spirit of Central Visayas took center stage as DTI Region 7 officially opened the Fiesta Haraya: Visayas and Mindanao Leg during the Christmas Village 2024 at MegaTrade Hall 2-3, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City.

This five-day event, running from November 30 to December 4, 2024, celebrates the creativity and cultural heritage of the regions, with a special focus on the unique stories and creations from the Visayas and Mindanao. Themed “Our Stories Through Our Creations: We Are A Creative Nation,” Fiesta Haraya is part of DTI’s Philippine Creative Industries Festival 2024, serving as a platform to showcase the talents of Filipino creatives and support the growth of the creative economy.

DTI Region 7 had the honor of kicking off the regional creative performances by bringing its regional initiviative Fiesta Haraya Bai on November 30 with a stunning showcase of the region’s finest talents and innovations. The program featured a stellar lineup of showcases, including music performances by local artists Trevor Sederiosa and Dimple Recla (in white above), captivating the audience with original compositions that highlighted Central Visayas’ rich musical heritage and modern artistry.

Game development demonstrations were also showcased by SuperDownBad Studios, Capriccioso, Cebu Game Dev, Popcorn Game Studios, and PolyPix, offering interactive sessions and showcasing the latest innovations in gaming.

Also part of the program were presentations of animated shorts by Damselfly Animation Studio, Emottoons, and Ripe Concepts, displaying visually stunning works that delighted audiences and inspired creative pitches.

DTI Region 7 Regional Director Nannette Arbon emphasized the significance of the creative industries in building inclusive growth. “Fiesta Haraya is a celebration of collaboration and creativity. Through this platform, we aim to empower MSMEs and showcase the incredible potential of our creative communities in Visayas and Mindanao to the world.”

Visitors to the Christmas Village are invited to enjoy regional creative performances, featuring distinct cultural and artistic expressions from December 1 hosted by Northern Mindanao (Region X), December 2 hosted by Eastern Visayas (Region VIII) and Davao Region (Region XI), December 3 hosted by SOCCSKSARGEN (Region XII) and Caraga (Region XIII), and December 4 hosted by the National Capital Region (NCR).

According to Director Arbon, the Fiesta Haraya serves as a testament to the Filipino people’s boundless creativity and ingenuity. “It reflects the ongoing efforts to empower micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) within the creative industries, highlighting their role as key drivers of economic resilience and cultural identity,” she added.

DTI Region 7 is set to conclude its 6-week Fiesta Haraya Bai celebration with the Fiesta Haraya Bai Fair on December 6-8 at Ayala Malls Central Bloc, Cebu City, showcasing creative outputs of each event and activity. This aims to celebrate and honor Central Visayas’ flourishing art scene, recognizing the significant contributions of its aritists, designers, and cultural practitioners to the region’s vibrant culural landscape. (DTI 7/PR) ♦

Date of Release: 04 December 2024

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