Quezon City, Dumaguete join UNESCO Creative Cities Network
Two more Philippine cities have joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN): Quezon City and Dumaguete City.
UCCN unveiled the 58 new member cities on World Cities Day 2025 on Oct. 31.
Quezon City joined the international roster as a "Creative City of Film." The city is set to hold its QCinema International Film Festival with the theme "Film City," from Nov. 14 to 23.
On the other hand, Dumaguete City was honored as a "Creative City of Literature" for its vibrant community of writers and readers. Silliman University hosts the annual National Writers Workshop, the oldest creative writing program in Asia.
The UCCN now includes 408 cities across over 100 countries. It recognizes fields such as Crafts and Folk Art, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Media Arts, Music, and Architecture.
Apart from the two Philippine cities, the network added Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City, Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur, Ukraine's Kyiv, Saudi Arabia's Riyadh, China's Quanzhou, and more.
The UCCN, launched in 2004, promotes "human-centered urban living and governance" that offers cultural and creative activities to its citizens.
In a press release, the QC government called the honor a "new era for Philippine cinema."
“QC Film City is now a name that will forever be etched in the legacy of every filmmaker, artist, and storyteller who has shaped our city’s vibrant film heritage," QC Mayor Joy Belmonte said in a statement, adding that the recognition is for icons like Lino Brocka, Dolphy, Nora Aunor, Fernando Poe Jr., and more.
"This is for the workers behind the screen and the QCitizens who deserve access to quality films."
Dumaguete City Mayor Chiquiting Sagarbarria also expressed his gratitude for the recognition.
"We celebrate this designation, a huge achievement for the City of Dumaguete. We will work hard to maintain this distinction and truly make Dumaguete a City of Literature to be proud of," he said.
The Philippines now has five cities in the UCCN, including Baguio City for Crafts and Folk Art, Cebu City for Design, and Iloilo City for Gastronomy.