..the ASEAN City of Culture

Cebu City prepares for prestigious ASEAN 'City of Culture' recognition

By PHOEBE JEN INDINO

July 12, 2011
Manila Bulletin

 CEBU CITY, Cebu, Philippines - Designated as the first city ever to receive the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)’s “City of Culture” recognition, this city is now getting ready to launch activities the whole year to celebrate such honor bestowed upon it, said Councilor Margarita Osmeña, who chairs the city’s Committee on Tourism, and Local and International Relations and Arts and Culture.

The year-long activities will include academic lectures, artistic and literary forums, culture and heritage event among many others.

“The city is very proud and honored to be given such recognition as it is the first and it will surely make Cebu City more known to the world,” said Osmeña during a recent press conference hosted by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.

The lady councilor stressed that the creative industries of the city made it possible to get the designation which is designed to enhance mutual cooperation among member countries in the areas of culture and arts.

She added that this city’s creative industries have enabled the city to grow, regenerate and reinvent itself to become a consistent economic and cultural hub being the country’s oldest city and the cradle of Christianity.

The ASEAN City of Culture seeks to promote arts and culture to the world through its cities that reflect the region’s rich culture and heritage. The program also aims to celebrate the ASEAN arts and culture, promote the regions creative industries and cultivate long lasting friendship among member countries.

Also, present during the presscon were Petite Garcia of the Arts Council of Cebu and Nestor Jardin, who were active in supporting the lined-up activities of the city.