Did you know that there are three Creative Cities in the Philippines officially designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)? In 2023, Iloilo was named a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. Before that, Baguio was named a Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art in 2017 while Cebu was given the title of Creative City of Design in 2019.

But what exactly does it mean to be a UNESCO Creative City and what activities can modern travelers do when visiting these places in relation to this distinction?

What makes a UNESCO Creative City?

The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) highlights modern cities that have recognized culture and creativity in different fields. The program was created in 2004 “to promote cooperation with and among cities that have identified creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable urban development.” There are currently seven categories that cities can be recognized for in the fields of Crafts and Folk Art, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Media Arts, and Music.

According to UNESCO, almost 300 cities in 90 countries around the world currently make up the Creative Cities network. They are joined together towards a common objective of “placing creativity and cultural industries at the heart of their development plans at the local level and cooperating actively at the international level.”

What’s the significance of the designation?

Being named a UNESCO Creative City is significant as it recognizes a city’s commitment to fostering creativity and preserving culture. Being part of the network can enhance a city’s international visibility and attract attention from global travelers, media, and potential investors. It can also help provide a platform for the city to highlight its creativity, and innovation in the chosen field.

Much like awards, the global recognition can help boost the local economy, in terms of tourism in the post-pandemic era. Being named a Creative City can attract cultural tourists interested in experiencing the city’s creative offerings, festivals, and events.

Baguio: Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art

Baguio City made history as the first Philippine city as one of the 64 cities worldwide to be named under the Creative Cities Network in 2017. Baguio City is recognized as a Creative City in the field of Crafts and Folk Arts along with other cities like Chang Mai in Thailand, Cairo in Egypt, Tunis in Tunisia, Madaba in Jordan, and Carrara in Italy, to name a few.

Baguio is known for its vibrant crafts and folk art scene. Despite being highly urbanized, the city has managed to retain its artistic charm. Baguio City is home to impressive art installations, modern art museums, and creative hubs that support local artists. Local cafes, museums, and creative hubs, other venues showcase the city’s traditional crafts such as weaving, wood carving, cultural performance, silver crafts, and literature.

Aside from enjoying the cooler climate, visitors can enjoy immersing in the creativity and local arts and crafts of communities during their visits to Baguio City. Oh My Gulay and Ili-likha Artist’s Village, two eco-art hubs conceptualized by National Artist Kidlat Tahimik, are great places to visit to appreciate local crafts and folk art.

The Tam-awan Village offers a glimpse into indigenous craftsmanship, through all its services, from sketching sessions with live models to displays of Cordillera lifestyle art, including the traditional huts in the highland region. For modern art, one of the top destinations in Baguio is the BenCab Museum of National Artist for Visual Arts BenCab on Asin Road in Tuba town.

Souvenir shops are also popular with tourists, with some workshops allowing visitors to see how the products are made, step by step. For those with limited time, Narda’s Arts and Crafts and the Easter Weaving Room are good stops on a crafts and folk art tour of Baguio City.

Cebu: Creative City of Design

Cebu City, the “Queen City of the South” was hailed as Creative City of Design in 201. Cebu shares this distinction with other top cities known for their unique design style and architecture like Hanoi in Vietnam, Nagoya in Japan, Buenos Aires in Argentina, and Berlin in Germany.

Centrally located in the heart of the country, Cebu has long been a hub of trade, culture, and innovation. Cebu is traditionally known for its local furniture, arts and crafts, and fashion design. The thriving design scene has managed to keep pace with the rapid development of the city and modern designers from Cebu continue to make their mark in the global design sphere. In modern
times, Cebu is generally considered to be the country’s design capital.

Cebu’s artistry is best seen during the Sinulog, the country’s longest-running festival that attracts 2 million visitors annually. Local and international tourists to Cebu can enjoy the thriving design scene starting with the Mactan Cebu International Airport, one of the most internationally awarded travel hubs in the region. Renowned Cebuano furniture maker Kenneth Cobonpue helped conceptualize the terminal, which has timber arches and floor-to-ceiling glass panels.

Visitors can include also visits to art galleries and creative hubs in their Cebu itinerary. Qube Gallery in Kasambagan is a contemporary art hub that champions the best works of Filipino artists from the region. Florentino’s Art Space showcases the talent of established and rising artists and provides a venue for workshops. Casa Gorordo Museum, which is set in a beautifully
restored 19th-century house, features a glimpse of the past through antique furniture, clothing, household items, religious artifacts, and artwork.

Iloilo: Creative City of Gastronomy

In 2023, Iloilo became the first city in the Philippines to be named a Creative City of Gastronomy. Iloilo joined 54 other cities in the worldwide recognition during the observance of World Cities Day on October 31. Other Creative Cities of Gastronomy are Phuket in Thailand, Macao in China, and Thessaloniki in Greece.

Along with celebrations of the world-class Dinagyang Festival and Paraw Regatta, Iloilo’s unique gastronomic delights are a good reason to revisit the city any time of the year. Iloilo is well-known for its mouthwatering cuisine and delicacies influenced by diverse cultures.

Some of the most famous Ilonggo dishes include La Paz Batchoy (a hearty noodle soup dish); Pancit Molo (an Ilonggo version of the wonton soup popularized by Chinese settlers); Kansi (an Ilonggo sour soup that makes use of beef bone marrow); and biscocho (twice-baked bread) to name a few.

While these Ilonggo dishes are a staple in restaurants around the city, there are a few spots that locals and tourists often recommend for first-timers.
For a unique gastronomic experience, visit Camiña Balay nga Bato. Formerly known as Avanceña House, the century-old heritage house in the Arevalo district built in 1865 now serves as a living museum with art, architecture, and artifacts and a restaurant serving local delicacies and tsokolate de batirol.

Madge Cafe, a hole-in-the-wall cafe at the La Paz Market that has been around since 1940 is also worth a stop for old-fashioned coffee, kalamansi-flavored donuts, and puto. When it comes to food souvenir items, you can’t go wrong with Biscocho and Butterscotch bars from The Original Biscocho Haus, which opened in 1975.

Learn more about the Creative Cities network in the video below.