“𝘈 𝘧𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴
𝘈 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘺’𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴.
𝘈 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘸𝘤𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥-𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴.
𝘈 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘥𝘭𝘺 𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘴.
𝘈 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴.
𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘧 𝘈𝘮𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘯 𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘴.”
These words captured the essence of the Sinnaranay 2: Creative Region One Summit — a groundbreaking convergence born from the union of two major gatherings: the Region One Culture Conference (ROCC) 2 and the Culture and Arts Trainers and Instructors Summit (CATIS) 4, the Commission on Higher Education Region I’s flagship program.
With the theme, Empowering Creative Industries of Region I for a Vibrant Economy, the summit gathered higher education institutions, local government units, national government agencies, MSMEs, and other stakeholders at the Sison Theater and Auditorium in Lingayen, Pangasinan, on September 15 to 17, 2025.
On the first day, Hon. Ramon Guico III, Governor of the Province of Pangasinan, represented by Dr. Raymundo Rovillos, and Dr. Stephanie Christiansen, Regional Director of the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development I, shared their messages of support.
Dr. Marichu Tellano, Deputy Executive Director for Administration and Support Services of the National Commission for Culture and Arts, provided the rationale of the summit, which is anchored in the celebration of the Philippine Creative Industries Month based on Republic Act No. 11904 or the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act of 2022.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony unveiling MSME products and the live loom weaving of a student of Nana Magdalena Gamayo, Region I’s very own Manlilikha ng Bayan, followed.
In the afternoon, workshops in song-making, tour guiding, pottery-making, creative storytelling, and more filled the halls — engaging over 800 students and instructors.
The second day brought enriching conversations on the Philippine Development Plan for Culture and the Arts (PDPCA), mapping of creative industries in higher education institutions, creative placemaking, and gastronomy tourism.
Dr. Christine Nabor-Ferrer, Regional Director of CHED Region 1, represented by Dr. Al Gerald S. Barde, Education Supervisor II and Focal for Culture and Arts, welcomed the participants.
“Culture is the soul of our communities. Our heritage shows resilience and identity, and we must preserve it while keeping it relevant for the youth. When culture thrives, communities and our region thrive.”
Ms. Tellano discussed the PDPCA, which upholds inclusivity of cultural development, stressing that “no culture should be left behind.”
For the session on Mapping of Creative Industries in Region 1 HEIs Using the LIKHA Model, Dr. Barde highlighted the role of higher education institutions in fostering creativity.
“HEIs should value creative works as much as they value research.”
In his talk on The Cultural Mapping and Its Relevance to the Creative Industries, Mr. John Delan L. Robillos, NCCA Cultural Mapping Resource Person, explained the importance of mapping heritage.
“Through cultural mapping, we connect heritage, creativity, and memory with innovation.”
Speaking on Creative Landscape in Region 1, Ms. Merlie D. Membrere, Acting Regional Director of DTI Region 1, recognized the richness of creativity in the region, saying, “Region 1 is rich in creativity—seen in our fabrics, crafts, festivals, and talents.”
In the discussion on Gastronomy Tourism, Ms. Cela Rose M. Garcia, Philippine Ambassador to the World Food Travel Association, explained the link between food and tourism, noting that “When gastronomy becomes an experience, it becomes tourism.”
Facilitated by Atty. Dessa U. Estrada, Education Supervisor II, a panel discussion on Government Programs Supporting Creative Industries participated in by NCCA, DTI Region 1, DOT Region 1, CHED Region 1, and the Pangasinan Provincial Government featured insights into various initiatives to strengthen creative industries.
After the program, HEI participants experienced the Banaan Museum Tour.
The last day highlighted Amianan Studies — methodologies, intellectual property rights, and design value chains.
During the session on Methodologies in Conducting Amianan Cultural Studies, Dr. Raymundo Rovillos, President of Pangasinan Polytechnic College, underscored the value of Amianan studies, saying, “Amianan studies matter because northern Luzon has a shared history that binds us as a region.”
In her presentation on Intellectual Property Rights, Engr. Jeanne Dugui-es Dangkeo, Intellectual Property Rights Specialist II of the IPO Philippines, reminded participants of the importance of legal protection.
“If you don’t file for it, someone else might. We maximize creations when they are licensed.”
The session on Paper Presentations on Pangasinan and Iloko Studies featured eight scholars from universities across Region 1 and facilitated by Engr. Leonora F. Quarte, Education Supervisor II.
In the session on Design Value Chain, Ms. Carla Mae Leonor, Chief Industrial Design Specialist of the Design Center of the Philippines, shared insights on maximizing the design value chain to enhance creativity and innovation.
The three-day summit also featured over 300 student performers from Koro Universidad de Dagupan, Pangasinan State University’s Matulunggaring Dance Troupe, the University of Luzon Drum and Bugle Corps, Urdaneta City University’s Orata Dance Troupe and Chamber Singers, and the PhilCST Chorale — all were given the Raniag Award for their exemplary performance.
“This is the biggest CATIS so far since this is a product of collaboration with the CHED Central Office through the Office of Programs and Standards Development, NCCA, DTI R1, the Regional Development Council, Pangasinan HEIs, and the Provincial Government of Pangasinan, among others. Mabuhay ang Amianan Creative Industries!” remarked Dr. Barde.

Region 1 once again proved its excellence in the field of psychology as ten (10) graduates from higher education institutions in the Ilocos Region secured spots in the Top 10 of the September 2025 Psychometrician Licensure Examination.
At Rank 7, Angel Mae Lumbao Layos of Urdaneta City University, Pangasinan, achieved a rating of 88.2%.
Sharing the 8th spot are Joicerhy Ribo Bargamento of Lyceum Northwestern University, Dagupan City, and Danica Pearl Perlas Ricod of the University of Northern Philippines (UNP), Vigan City, Ilocos Sur, both with a rating of 88.0%.
Meanwhile, at Rank 9 are three R1 examinees who garnered a rating of 87.8 %: Jolina Cacanando Diolanda of Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University-South La Union Campus (DMMMSU-SLUC), Agoo, La Union, Jmari Buenvenida Melendez of Lyceum Northwestern University, Dagupan City, and Dannah Mae Abat Monis of DMMMSU-Mid La Union Campus (DMMMSU-MLUC), San Fernando City, La Union.
Completing the list at Rank 10 with a rating of 87.6% are four examinees from the region: Arden Joanna Tajon Adriatico and Clarence Bonggawen Elveña of UNP Vigan City, Ilocos Sur; Raymond Bill Valdez Marquez; and Shari Ann Guillermo Servitillo of DMMMSU-MLUC, San Fernando City, La Union.
The CHED Regional Office 1 family extends its warmest congratulations to the successful passers. May their achievements inspire future board takers!