Dumaguete City, the capital of Negros Oriental, has been selected as one of the Philippines’ nominations for the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) in the literature category for 2025. This announcement was made during a press conference held in the city on November 8, 2024, attended by key figures including Anton Gabila and Nimfa Virtucio from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Negros Oriental, Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo, and Cham Guevarra of Beetzee, a prominent content creation company.
Nimfa Virtucio, the provincial director of DTI Negros Oriental, highlighted that Quezon City was also nominated, but in the film category. She emphasized that Dumaguete’s nomination reflects its deep cultural and literary roots, aligning with UNESCO’s goals for sustainable urban development through creativity.
Anton Gabila, the creative industry program manager for DTI Negros Oriental, mentioned that a technical working group (TWG), including local government representatives and creative advocates like Ian Casocot, is currently preparing the city’s final submission portfolio, due in January. Gabila praised Dumaguete’s literary achievements, such as hosting the Silliman University National Writers Workshop, the longest-running in the Philippines, and the extensive collection of the Silliman University Library.
He also acknowledged the contributions of local writers like Casocot, who have gained international recognition. Casocot played a crucial role by drafting the initial profile that led to Dumaguete’s nomination. The TWG is now refining this portfolio for submission to UNESCO.
If successful, Dumaguete would join other Philippine cities recognized by UNESCO, such as Baguio for crafts and folk art, Iloilo for gastronomy, and Cebu for design. The nomination process involved collaboration with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the Office of Pangasinan 4th District Representative Christopher de Venecia, and the Philippine National Commission for UNESCO. De Venecia is also the author of the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act.
Mayor Remollo expressed optimism about the potential benefits of the designation, including enhanced tourism, global networking opportunities, and increased recognition of Dumaguete’s cultural and creative contributions.