The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) showcased 10 technologies and initiatives covering traditional crafts, digital media, immersive technologies, and business support at the Creative Summit 2026, held on Nov. 5 and 6.
Organized through the DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD), the summit highlighted how research and development can help Filipino creative industries adopt emerging technologies while preserving traditional skills and cultural heritage.
The event, themed “Powering Innovation at the Heart of the Creative Economy,” brought together researchers, technology developers, creative professionals, and government agencies to explore opportunities for collaboration.
The summit comes as the creative sector continues to expand its contribution to the Philippine economy.
Preliminary data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that the gross value added of creative industries increased by 8.7% to P1.94 trillion in 2024 from P1.78 trillion in 2023, accounting for 7.3% of the country’s gross domestic product at current prices.
More than 75% of the sector’s output came from three major categories: symbols and images and related activities, including textiles, garments, furniture, and jewelry; advertising, research, and artistic services; and digital interactive goods and services, including mobile applications, video games, digital publishing, and streaming media.
As of 2026, DOST-PCIEERD had invested P886.5 million in 76 creative industry projects covering traditional manufacturing, digital content production, immersive technologies, and other creative applications.
The funding supports projects involving handloom weaving, furniture, footwear, bamboo musical instruments, and jewelry, alongside newer industries such as game development, digital animation, filmmaking, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR).
Other funded initiatives include technology business incubators, interactive science museum galleries, heritage restoration, and specialized laboratories for footwear and acoustics.
DOST secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said scientific research could help creative businesses address technical challenges and develop commercially viable products.
“That is why DOST is here, and why this Creative Summit matters because when science serves creativity, creativity serves the nation,” Solidum said.
“So, to our creators, entrepreneurs, researchers, and partners in government: tell us what you need. Propose collaborations. Bring us your hardest problems. That is how we will build a creative sector that is not only vibrant, but also competitive,” he added.
Among the technologies presented at the summit was DigiTELAzation, a project of the DOST-Philippine Textile Research Institute that uses a centralized digital platform to document, authenticate, and preserve Philippine handloom weaving traditions.
The platform is intended to support the preservation of indigenous textile designs while providing a digital resource for researchers, designers, and local weaving communities.
Another heritage-related technology was SandPix, a printing system that replaces conventional ink with glue and naturally colored sand mixtures to produce textured portraits, decorative products, and personalized items.
The DOST-Forest Products Research and Development Institute also presented its Bamboo Musical Instruments Innovation R&D Program, which applies scientific research and manufacturing technologies to improve locally produced bamboo instruments.
Other projects included SAFATOS, which focuses on sustainable materials and technologies for the Philippine footwear industry, and Likhaan, a women-founded creative technology company that provides digital tools, market access, and community programs for artisans and indigenous communities.
In digital media and immersive technologies, the summit featured CrimeXperience, an extended reality training platform that combines VR crime scene simulations, mobile AR forensic equipment training, and a learning management system.
The platform is designed to support forensic training based on protocols used by the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation.
For the film industry, CYBERCRAFT PH demonstrated a three-dimensional pre-visualization system that allows production teams to create digital replicas of filming locations.
The technology enables filmmakers to plan camera positions, production designs, and logistical requirements before actual shooting, potentially reducing production costs and improving efficiency.
Science education applications were also represented through One DOST Virtual Science Centrum, a web-based platform that consolidates 92 interactive exhibits from four regional science centers into a single digital environment.
Another initiative, STEM on the Go!, has reached more than 51,000 learners and 215 teachers in geographically isolated communities in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
The project uses 25 interactive exhibits, specialized teaching toolkits, and digital learning resources to expand access to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education.
Completing the 10 featured initiatives was Manager Husay, a DOST-funded business support platform launched in 2023 that provides creative professionals with access to business tools, industry expertise, and professional networks.
DOST-PCIEERD executive director Julius Leaño Jr. said collaboration between researchers and creative professionals was necessary to translate emerging technologies into practical applications.
“At DOST-PCIEERD, we recognize that innovation does not belong to any single sector. It emerges when researchers work alongside creators, when technology responds to real-world needs, and when ideas are transformed into products, services, and experiences that create value for our people,” Leaño said.
He also expressed hope that “the conversations we begin here will translate into R&D proposals, research collaborations, and solutions that will strengthen our creative industries.”
Beyond the technology exhibits, the two-day summit examined policy and regulatory issues affecting the creative economy.
Discussions covered emerging technologies, animation, digital content production, quality standards, intellectual property protection, and the use of indigenous cultural materials in commercial products.
Participants included representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry, Animation Council of the Philippines, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, Film Development Council of the Philippines, National Museum of the Philippines, and Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines.
International speakers from the British Council in the Philippines and Indonesia, as well as the Taiwan Design Research Institute, also participated in discussions on creative industry development.
The summit forms part of government efforts to implement Republic Act 11904, or the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act, and the 10-year National Creative Industries Development Plan.
The law and development plan provide a framework for expanding the creative economy through industry support, technology adoption, research collaboration, and intellectual property protection.
