MANILA — Two Philippine cities just earned a spot on the global stage — and it’s a proud moment for the entire nation.
Dumaguete and Quezon City have officially joined the prestigious UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN), a recognition that celebrates cities using creativity as a powerful engine for sustainable development.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) said this milestone proves how far the Philippines has come in building future-ready cities that put culture and people at the heart of progress.
🎬 Quezon City: The Beating Heart of Philippine Cinema
Quezon City has been named “Creative City of Film.”
Home to major studios, broadcasting giants, and the renowned QCinema International Film Festival — QC has long been the place where powerful stories come alive.
Now, UNESCO has confirmed what every Filipino already knows:
Quezon City is the country’s film capital — and the proud home of Philippine cinema.
✍️ Dumaguete: A Literary Haven that Inspires Generations
Dumaguete, beloved for its calm seaside charm and deep artistic soul, has been named “Creative City of Literature.”
Its legacy lives through countless storytellers and its homegrown gem — the Silliman University National Writers Workshop, the oldest of its kind in Asia. Many of our country’s most respected writers once sat there as young dreamers.
Now, the world recognizes Dumaguete as a city where words shape culture — and where creativity uplifts communities.
🌏 A Growing Pinoy Presence on the World Stage
With this announcement, the Philippines now has five creative cities proudly recognized by UNESCO:
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Baguio City – Crafts & Folk Art (2017)
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Cebu City – Design (2019)
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Iloilo City – Gastronomy (2023)
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Quezon City – Film (2025)
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Dumaguete City – Literature (2025)
Together, they prove that Filipino creativity doesn’t just belong —
it leads, inspires, and transforms.
Since 2004, the UCCN has supported cities worldwide in building more livable, human-centered communities — powered not by machines, but imagination.
With these new honors, the Philippines stands even prouder, showing the world that creativity is — and will always be — one of our greatest strengths. 🌟
