Forum Sets Off Initiatives for Local Designers, Artists

The Tropical Futures Forum on September 13, 2019 will be the start of many local initiatives to promote the use of creativity and design to help communities.

“Aside from wanting this to be an annual thing, we want the Tropical Futures Forum to be the seed that will sprout many different art and community related activities,” said Mark Deutsch from Happy Garaje, organizer and speaker for Tropical Futures Forum.

Deutsch noted that Cebuanos have been very supportive of the advocacy. In fact, slots in the Tropical Futures Forum are sold out.

“We want to have activities of this nature: able to challenge and inspire local artists and designers to take risks, do meaningful activities, collaborate, and help their community,” said Chris Fuusner, co-founder of the Tropical Futures Forum.

World-class artists from Singapore, Tokyo, New York, Manila, and Cebu have been invited to share their work at the Tropical Futures forum. From 1pm onwards, there will be talks, exhibits, and a film showing.

“We’ve invited some creatives that have been doing influential and impactful work – across countries or in their neighborhoods, working with brands that help communities, or starting their own non-profit organizations,” said Deutsch.

The speakers include Motoki Koitabashi, Dan Matutina, Mikiharu Yabe, Dang Sering, Erik Tuban, Hannah Martinez Florendo, Roxy Navarro, Myka Arnado, Chad Manzo, Felix Ng, Karl Lucente, and Coji Katsuyama.

“This is a big step towards making Cebu the creative capital of the Philippines," said ARD Nannette Arbon, Assistant Regional Director, DTI Philippines.

This forum which will be held at The Company Cebu, IT Park is co-presented by Design Center Philippines and made possible by DTI Philippines, Tropical Futures Institute, Happy Garaje, Tech Talks.ph, PRWorks Inc., The Company Cebu, Guinto Lights and Sounds, Island Souvenirs, Author Solutions, 856G Gallery, Zeroten Philippines, and Grafik 9.

For inquiries and the list of speakers, visit their website at https://tropicalfuturesforum.com/.