The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is set to elevate local talent and champion Filipino creativity as it hosts the ASEAN Creative Industries Expo by Malikhaing Pinoy (ASEAN MPEx). Organized in collaboration with the Philippine Creative Industries Development Council Secretariat, the three-day event will run from September 17 to 19, 2026, at the SMX Convention Center Aura in Taguig City.
The expo is part of the government’s flagship Malikhaing Pinoy Program, implemented by the DTI to advance the country’s creative agenda and celebrate its rich cultural heritage. Guided by the theme “Navigating Our Future Through Creativity, Together,” the initiative coincides with the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairship in 2026, reinforcing its commitment to inclusive economic growth, cross-border investments, and regional cultural exchange.
Held during Philippine Creative Industries Month and mandated under Republic Act No. 11904, or the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act (PCIDA), ASEAN MPEx builds on the success of the 2025 interaction. The event centers on the three key calls to action—Connect, Showcase, and Create—aimed at expanding opportunities for local creatives and enterprises.
The exhibition will highlight talent across nine creative domains, namely Audiovisual Media, Creative Services, Cultural Sites, Digital Interactive Media, Design, Performing Arts, Publishing and Printed Media, Traditional Cultural Expressions, and Visual Arts.
Designed as a convergence platform, the expo features a Government and Business Development Services Pavilion, where entrepreneurs can access trade and intellectual property services. Other highlights include the ASEAN Malikhaing Pinoy Pavilion, a digital interactive space highlighting creative initiatives across the region, and a Coconut Industry Pavilion demonstrating how design can transform traditional sectors.
Additionally, attendees can explore a gastronomy showcase featuring Iloilo—a UNESCO Creative City for Gastronomy—and view a special presentation on the Philippines’ participation in Expo 2025 Osaka.
As the Philippines works toward its vision of becoming Asia’s Premier Creative Hub by 2030, ASEAN MPEx aims to bridge local talent with new regional markets, driving innovation, investment, and sustainable national development.
