The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) brought together global and local creative minds for the CBM 2025 Creative Entertainment Business (CEB) Forum on August 29–30, 2025, turning Cebu into a vibrant hub of creativity, innovation and enterprise.
Held at the iconic Montebello Villa Hotel, the 2-day Creative Entertainment Business Forum gathered industry leaders, investors, and creatives from the Philippines, Singapore, China, Indonesia, and Japan- committed to unlocking Cebu’s potential as a Creative Entertainment Hub of the Visayas
From curated culinary experiences at Montebello Villa Hotel to a stunning Networking Dinner at TOPs, delegates bonded over shared vision, local flavors and panoramic views of Cebu City. Special thanks to Montebello Villa Hotel for hosting with signature Cebuano warmth and flair.
Setting the Vision: Creativity as Cebu’s Growth Engine
In his keynote, CCCI President Jay Yuvallos highlighted creativity as “not just talent, but a divine gift meant to build, inspire, and serve.” He underscored that businesses today must be storytellers, selling not only products but also meaning and immersive experiences . He tied this vision to the Chamber’s LEAD A-MUST agenda, calling for stronger alliances across academe, government, and industry to position Cebu as a true crossroads of commerce and culture.
Showcasing Cebu’s Creative Potential
The forum featured an impressive roster of showcases and keynotes:
Mario Panganiban, President of the Cebu Creative Entertainment Council, presented “Cebu – The Creative Entertainment Hub of the Visayas.” He mapped out Cebu’s strengths: a young and diverse talent base, a welcoming business environment, access to Visayas and Mindanao markets, and room for exponential growth. He urged stakeholders to complete the creative ecosystem by investing in infrastructure, venture capital, talent development, and original IP creation.
Miguel del Rosario, Chairman of the Animation Council of the Philippines, spotlighted Animahenasyon: The Philippine Animation Festival, while James Lo, President of the Game Developers Association of the Philippines, shared insights from the Philippine GameDev Expo (PGDX).
Alexis-Mae Geronga, Industry Development Director of GDAP, introduced the GameDev Summit (GDS), and Criselda Dumlao, VP of SIKAP, shared updates on AYO.
Anderson Tan, Founder of Anderson Management Capital, closed Day 1 with a compelling keynote on Financing the Development of Cebu Creative District.
The second day expanded global perspectives:
Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival opened with a strong message of support for Cebu’s creative economy.
Dimas Jayasrana, Co-Founder of Spektakel, showcased Indonesia’s entertainment industry.
Takumi Furusato of LUDiMUS discussed The Business of Japanese Anime and Games, while Ikuko Kogiso, President of Creative Minds LLC, capped the morning with How SEA & Japan Can Work Together.
Dimitri Josephine of Luze Studio and Stanley Ng of Fizz Dragon explored entertainment technology shaping the future.
Panel discussions gathered industry champions, including Daniel Enriquez (Animation Council), Paolo Mercado (Creative Economy Council), and James Lo (GDAP) to discuss strategic insights and Cebu’s positioning as a creative hub.
The forum culminated with international support pledges from UNIDO ITPO Tokyo and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center, affirming Cebu’s global potential.
A Grand Finale with One Piece Star Maki Otsuki
The two-day forum concluded on a high note with a special performance by Maki Otsuki, the iconic singer of the beloved Japanese anime One Piece. Her soulful renditions electrified the audience and created a memorable finale that underscored the forum’s spirit of global creative collaboration. The performance marked a symbolic bridge between Cebu’s growing creative industry and the international entertainment community.
The success of the CBM 2025 Creative Entertainment Business was made possible through the strong support of its partners:
Omnibus Partners
Presenters: Aboitiz Power – Therma Visayas Inc., PetNet, Inc., Visayan Electric Company (VECO), Cebu Landmasters, Inc. (CLI), LH Paragon Group & Oakridge Realty Development Corporation
Co-Presentor: Shang Properties, Inc.
Platinum: Ayala Malls, Cebu Pacific, City di Mare, Duros Land Properties Inc., EastWest Bank, Eastern Communications, Hotel 101 Global Pte. Ltd., Security Bank Corp., SM Seaside City Cebu
Event Partners: TOPS & Montebello Villa Hotel
In Collaboration With: Cebu Creative Entertainment Council, Philippine Embassy and UNIDO
Official Merch Partner: UNISOL
Media Partners: Cebu Online News Press Corps, Qualfon, RMA News and Xeleqt Technology Innovations Inc.
A Call to Action: Building a Creative Cebu
The CBM 2025 Creative Entertainment Business Forum affirmed that Cebu is ready to be more than a service provider to global creative industries. It is poised to generate original intellectual properties, host international festivals, and build a sustainable creative ecosystem.
As President Yuvallos rallied, “The future of business in creative. And the future of creative is business-savvy. Let us build a Creative Cebu: a place where art meets enterprise, where stories generate value, and where innovation is driven by imagination and guided by purpose.”
Padayon Cebu: Growing Together through Creativity
The forum closed with renewed commitments to collaboration and innovation, uniting creatives, entrepreneurs, educators, and policymakers under one banner.
Padayon Cebu. Imagine with Creativity. Build with Purpose. Prosper as One
