Co-organizing Davao City’s First Culture, Arts, and Heritage Summit with Alsons Dev: Creating Dynamic Communities

In collaboration with the Davao City Office for Culture and the Arts (OCA), the Conrado and Ladislawa Alcantara Foundation, Inc. (CLAFI), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), Alsons Development and Investment Corporation (Alsons Dev) co-organized the inaugural Davao City Culture, Arts, and Heritage Summit on September 26, 2025, at Holy Cross of Davao College.

A platform for cultural dialogue and collaboration

The summit served as a platform for stakeholders to exchange diverse perspectives that underscored the vital role of culture, arts, and heritage in building inclusive, sustainable, and livable communities.

Discussions were anchored on research and sector realities. Davao Historical Society President Luz Ilagan reflected on the cultural significance of the Kadayawan Festival. La Herencia Creative Director Rob Tañedo tackled the challenges and opportunities in advancing multidisciplinary creative work in the regions, and University of the Philippines Mindanao Professor Aya Ragragio shared insights on cultural appropriation, appreciation, and artists’ rights.

Government voices also enriched the dialogue. DTI Creative Industries Development Office OIC Division Chief Engr. Kat Salvador underscored the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration and LGU–NGA support in protecting artists’ rights and welfare, while NCCA Deputy Director Marichu Tellano outlined the Philippine Development Plan for Culture and the Arts and a national vision for a thriving creative sector

Notable attendees included Councilor Al Ryan Alejandre, representing Davao City Acting Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte; Councilor Petite Principe; Oscar Casaysay of the Davao City Office of Culture and Artsl Ryan Vidanes, Executive Director of CLAFI; Gawad CCP Para sa Sining Awardee Nestor Horfilla; Brother Noelvic Deloria, President of Holy Cross of Davao College; Romeo Castañaga, DTI XI Regional Director; Rommel F. Momo, Vice President for Operations and Chairperson of the Committee on Culture, Heritage, and Arts of the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev); and singer-songwriter and Datu Bago Awardee Joey Ayala– showing strong support for Davao’s cultural landscape.

“The Davao City Culture, Arts, and Heritage Summit is an important milestone in creating alignment between the city, the creative community, and private organizations like Alsons Dev,” said Casaysay. “These outcomes will help ensure that culture and heritage remain at the heart of Davao’s development.”

The summit was part of the two-day Creative Industries Month, followed by the Creative Industry Exchange (CIEx) featuring a Creatives Fair, forums, workshops, and performances on the second day.

Anchoring development in cultural identity

Alsons Dev’s participation in the summit highlights its mission to shape communities where progress is deeply connected to cultural roots. Dominguez emphasized this vision, stating: “We believe livable communities are built not only through infrastructure and development, but also by honoring the cultural foundations that make Davao unique.Alsons Dev remains committed to supporting initiatives that preserve and promote culture, arts, and heritage as we work together toward the city’s future.”

Through the event, Alsons Dev reaffirmed its dedication to blending heritage with progress. It marked an important step in turning this vision into reality and underscored the company’s long-term commitment to nurturing inclusive and vibrant communities.

Learn more about Alsons Dev and its projects at https://alsonsdev.com/.