 |
| Students, creative industry leaders and campus partners at De La Salle Lipa's Diokno Auditorium for "MaharLIKHA: Pagpapalaya Sa Pagkamalikhain" (Image Source: De La Salle Lipa) |
Students of De La Salle Lipa (DLSL), creative industry leaders and campus partners gathered at Diokno Auditorium last September 25, 2024 for "MaharLIKHA: Pagpapalaya sa Pagkamalikhain", an event in held in celebration of Philippine Creative Industries Month. With the theme "New And Innovative Approaches In Driving And Enabling The Orange Economy," the gathering spearheaded by DLSL's Nexus Innovation Labs and Intellectual Property Office (NIPO) aimed to inspire and educate young innovators to safeguard and value their creations while seeking proper opportunities and mentorship so their intellectual properties can thrive. In line with the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) #WeAreACreativeNation campaign, this event was co-branded under the national celebration to emphasize the role of creativity in driving economic growth. Through insightful talks and networking opportunities, attendees were equipped with the knowledge to protect their ideas, explore potential collaborations, and navigate the evolving landscape of the creative economy.
The event featured a special performance by DLSL Salindayaw followed by insightful presentations and plenary discussions led by a panel of esteemed speakers including Block Stud Games' Clarence Talamayan, Philippine Creative Industries Development Council member Pablo Gabriel Malvar, International Prize 'Leonardo da Vinci' Award (Special Edition Gold) recipient Vince Martin Macatangay, and Filipino cuisine advocate Chef Jaja Andal with DLSL College of Education, Arts and Sciences Learning Area Chairperson for Languages and Literature Dr. Aileen Joy Saul as moderator. DLSL Vice President for Administration Bro. Cyrill Escolano, FSC delivered the welcome remarks on behalf of DLSL President Bro. Edmundo Fernandez, FSC. In his message, Br. Dodo highlighted the power of creativity, saying, "Having had the privilege of immersing myself in artistic residencies in Japan and Vermont, I experienced firsthand how creative exploration can break boundaries, foster connections, and illuminate new paths. It is this power of creativity that we celebrate today, not just as an art form but as an engine for economic growth, especially in the vibrant CALABARZON region. Recent statistics from the Philippine Statistics Authority affirm the growing significance of our creative industries with arts, culture, and recreational activities leading the change."
 |
| Philippine Creative Industries Development Council member Paolo Gabriel Malvar discusses the importance of intellectual creation at De La Salle Lipa's MaharLIKHA event. (Image Source: De La Salle Lipa) |
Through NIPO, De La Salle Lipa nurtures student creativity from ideation to commercialization. The office also provides guidance on securing patents and offers opportunities for students to protect and capitalize on their intellectual property (IP). At the event's Q&A session, PH Creative Industries Development Council's Malvar emphasized the importance of intellectual creation, urging the students to focus on creating something of value — intellectual property (IP) — rather than just being a service provider. DLSL Vice President for Research, Innovations and International Linkages Bro. Manuel Pajarillo FSC concluded with a motivational message, encouraging students to reflect on their creative journey. "I hope it doesn't end here. That hopefully, whether you will find time to reflect on your life and what you want to do, or to follow up a hunch, or parang kutob or isang inspiration to really be the best person you can be which is the goal of this school. Sa atin, syempre, because we are at La Sallle, it’s like there's an angle there where God calls you. Anong blessings na binigay ni God sa'yo na parang dito ka natatawag in relation to potentially, first, bringing out your creativity, secondly, being able to perhaps work on that creativity towards innovation, and third, to commercialize it," said Bro. Pajarillo.
The MaharLIKHA event was a testament to De La Salle Lipa's commitment to fostering innovation and intellectual growth among its students as it continues to shape future leaders who will drive the creative economy forward by equipping young creators with the tools and knowledge to protect their ideas.
(With words by Cristina Alfarita Larombi, De La Salle Lipa)
