DTI takes Malikhaing Pinoy global in Thailand

BANGKOK, THAILAND—The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has brought its flagship Malikhaing Pinoy program to the international stage, marking a major push to globalize the Philippine creative industries as the country prepares to assume the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Chairship in 2026.

The international launch signals the Philippines’ intent to take a leadership role in the region’s creative economy by positioning Filipino creativity, culture, and design as drivers of trade, tourism, and investment.

The global debut was headlined by the Malikhaing Pinoy: Lahi Fashion Showcase, which served as the DTI’s primary platform for presenting Filipino design excellence to an international audience.

The showcase featured a collaborative collection led by renowned Filipino designer Rajo Laurel, whose more than three decades of experience have made him a leading figure in Philippine fashion and craftsmanship.

Through the Lahi Fashion Showcase, the DTI aims to elevate local creative talent into a globally competitive export sector, transforming Filipino artistry into high-value international products.

The event was held on Jan. 30 at the Dusit Thani Bangkok, one of Thailand’s premier venues, underscoring the high-profile nature of the international rollout.

The showcase was curated as a live expression of the Philippine Creative Industries Development Plan, which focuses on scaling Filipino artisans and micro, small, and medium enterprises into internationally recognized brands.

The DTI, through the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Bangkok, partnered with Thailand’s Creative Economy Agency to position Bangkok as the launchpad for Malikhaing Pinoy’s global expansion.

Bangkok was chosen for its status as a regional creative hub and its role as host city for major international design and cultural events.

DTI Secretary Cristina A. Roque said the timing of the international launch reflects the Philippines’ broader economic and cultural agenda as it takes on the ASEAN Chairship in 2026.

“At the heart of any great nation lies its culture and heritage. As we lead ASEAN in 2026, we are showing our Southeast Asian neighbors our cultural heritage. Our Chairship provides a platform for our creative sector and talents to take centerstage ensuring that the Philippine creative sector drives trade and tourism,” Roque said.

While fashion and textiles were placed in the spotlight in Bangkok, the DTI emphasized that Malikhaing Pinoy represents the full breadth of the country’s creative industries.

The broader strategy covers all nine official creative domains recognized under the Republic Act No. 11904 (Philippine Creative Industries Development Act).

Beyond fashion, the Philippines is emerging as a regional force in audiovisual media, supported by a growing film, animation, and content production industry with increasing global reach.

The country is also gaining recognition in digital interactive media, where Filipino game developers, software creators, and digital artists are expanding their presence in international markets.

Creative services such as advertising and marketing continue to remain competitive, benefiting from a strong talent pool and English-proficient workforce.

Publishing and printed media, along with the performing arts, continue to produce world-class literary, theatrical, and performance talent that reflects the country’s diverse cultural narratives.

The Philippines’ visual arts, traditional cultural expressions, including culinary arts and crafts, and the preservation of cultural sites further strengthen a creative ecosystem rooted in heritage yet oriented toward global markets.

Roque said the creative industries are now being treated as a core pillar of economic growth rather than a niche cultural segment.

“Under the Malikhaing Pinoy initiative, we are treating our creative sector as a vital pillar of our economic growth, contributing PHP 1.94 trillion to our GDP in 2024. These industries create a ‘currency’ that draws the world to our shores. When the world sees our creative talent in different domains, they see our islands, our history, and our people, and the best of the Philippines,” she said.

To ensure sustained commercial impact beyond the fashion runway, the DTI extended the international showcase into a week-long exhibition during Bangkok Design Week 2026.

The Malikhaing Pinoy Exhibition runs from Jan. 31 to Feb. 5, 2026, allowing buyers, creatives, and industry stakeholders more time to engage with Philippine products and talent.

The exhibition is located on the fifth floor of the Thailand Creative and Design Center at the historic Grand Postal Office in Bangkok’s Charoen Krung District.

By integrating Malikhaing Pinoy into Bangkok Design Week, the DTI aims to embed Philippine creative products within a major regional design marketplace.

The department said the extended exhibition is designed to generate trade leads, foster creative partnerships, and attract long-term investment interest in Philippine creative enterprises.

DTI officials said the Thailand launch represents only the beginning of a broader international rollout planned under Malikhaing Pinoy.

Future overseas showcases and exhibitions are expected to align with key trade missions, cultural events, and regional partnerships, particularly within ASEAN.

Through Malikhaing Pinoy, the DTI said it is positioning the Philippines as a premier creative hub in Asia, where culture, innovation, and commerce converge.

The department added that as the Philippines assumes the ASEAN Chairship, the creative economy will play a central role in shaping regional cooperation, cultural exchange, and inclusive economic growth.