Congressmen to wear SONA 2021 pins for creative industries

DAGUPAN CITY, Philippines — The House’s arts, culture and creative bloc (ACCIB) has tapped the Communication Design Association of the Philippines (CDAP) for the production of 81 pins that will be worn by congressmen during President Duterte’s final State of the Nation Address  (SONA) today.

The designs of the pins represent the Philippines’ 81 provinces, according to Rep. Christopher de Venecia, chair of the House’s creative industry and performing arts special committee.

During the previous SONA, the ACCIB collaborated with the Philippine Fashion Coalition for the production of sun brooches that were worn by women legislators, De Venecia said.

The collaboration was aimed at raising public awareness on the struggles of the Philippine fashion industry in the wake of the COVID pandemic, he said.

This year, the ACCIB focuses on the creative economy that is largely affected by the pandemic.

The creative industry covers diverse fields including audio and audiovisual media, creative services, cultural sites, design, digital interactive media, performing arts, print and publishing, traditional cultural expressions and visual arts, De Venecia said.

“The pins are inspired by the rich heritage of weaving in the country as well as our diverse cultural background as a people. Our lives are interwoven by the common love for our country and our craft,” De Venecia said, quoting CDAP president Jowee Alviar.

De Venecia said the newly created special committee on creative industry and performing arts deliberated on several key legislative measures that would institutionalize the creative economy including the proposed Philippine Creative Industries Development Act.

The measure, he said, seeks to establish the Philippine Creative Industries Development Council that would formulate the economic sector’s development plan and coordinate with government agencies and other stakeholders.