The Philippine performing arts industry is looking beyond the local stage, with government agencies launching a trade-focused initiative to help Filipino creatives win more international deals and capture a bigger share of Asia’s fast-growing cultural economy.
The sector is projected to generate USD260.52 million in revenue in 2026, but that represents only a small portion of Asia’s USD15.9-billion performing arts market, underscoring the room for Philippine artists, producers and creative enterprises to expand overseas.
To tap those opportunities, the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) will stage CREATEPhilippines x Manila International Performing Arts Market (MIPAM) 2026 from Sept. 11 to 13.
Unlike a traditional arts festival, MIPAM is positioned as a business marketplace where Filipino performers and creative entrepreneurs can pitch projects, hold business-to-business meetings, secure touring engagements and pursue co-production agreements with international presenters, programmers and cultural institutions. The shift reflects a broader strategy to treat the creative industries not only as cultural assets but also as export drivers capable of generating jobs, foreign exchange and investments.
“Through CREATEPhilippines x MIPAM 2026, we hope to gather and engage with the different players of the performing arts ecosystem so that together, we can discover and forge opportunities that will elevate the global profile of Philippine performing arts,” said CITEM Executive Director Leah Pulido Ocampo.
The event builds on CREATEPhilippines’ capacity-building initiatives over the past two years, including the “Navigating the Tour Circuit” program, which equipped hundreds of Filipino creatives with skills in branding, marketing, licensing, product management and pitching to international buyers.
With the theme “Showcasing Asia to the World,” organizers hope to position the Philippines as a stronger player in the regional performing arts ecosystem by helping artists transform creative talent into sustainable businesses and long-term export opportunities. As regional demand for live entertainment grows, the challenge is converting artistic excellence into lasting commercial success.
