Cebu is now a certified UNESCO creative city!
Cebu, having a long, vibrant history of heritage and artistic culture, has been designated as a ‘Creative City of Design.’ The Regional Development Council (RDC) Central Visayas submitted the bid for the city to be recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in July 2019.
Yesterday, October 30, UNESCO announced 66 new creative cities in line with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Cities included in the list are chosen for showing creativity in the following fields: crafts and folk art, design, film, gastronomy, literature, media arts, and music.
Now with a total of 246 cities, UNESCO’s Director-General Audrey Azoulay says that “All over the world, these cities, each in its way, make culture the pillar, not an accessory, of their strategy. This favors political and social innovation and is particularly important for the young generations.”
For many years, Cebu has been waving innovation due to its with its thriving tourism, colorful celebrations, burgeoning creative businesses, and its much-awaited traditional Cebu Design Week. The city also takes pride in its own Design Center which showcases various high-end furniture brands.
Historical landmarks of the Queen City of the South include the Metropolitan Cathedral, Simala Shrine, St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Casa Gorordo Museum, Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House, and the famous Magellan’s Cross.
Recently, Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu’s newest chapel designed by Kenneth Cobonpue, Cor Jesu, was shortlisted at this year’s World Architecture Festival.
You might like WAF shortlists Kenneth Cobonpue and Zubu Design Associates’ Cor Jesu in Cebu
Today, Cebu is fondly called the “Milan of Asia” for its top quality and design furniture, furnishings, and jewelry exported around the world.
Cebu is the Philippines’ second ‘creative city’. Back in 2017, Baguio became the first Philippine city to be part of the 180-strong Creative Cities Network under UNESCO.
READ MORE: Square one: Malcolm Square rehab breathes new life into Baguio
Image courtesy of facebook.com/DTI.DesignCenterPH
