By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency
First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos met with top executives of the Ayala Group to explore initiatives aimed at advancing the Philippine creative industry.
In a Facebook post on Saturday, Araneta-Marcos shared a photo of her meeting with Ayala Corporation Chairperson Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, and managing directors Mariana Beatriz Zobel de Ayala and Paolo Maximo Borromeo.
The meeting, held on April 28 at the First Lady’s office in Manila, focused on identifying new ways to further develop the country’s creative sector.
The First Lady described the meeting as productive, citing the private sector’s continued support for Filipino art and heritage.
“[I] had a productive meeting with the Ayala Group on new ways to uplift our creative industry,” she said.
“They’ve long championed Filipino art and heritage—from the Ayala Museum to spaces where our creativity truly shines,” Araneta-Marcos added.
She thanked the Ayala Group and expressed optimism for future collaboration between the government and the private sector.
While specific projects were not disclosed, the discussion emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships in building a more vibrant and globally competitive creative economy.
The Ayala Group has been a longstanding supporter of the arts through its cultural institutions, urban developments, and programs that promote Filipino creativity.
In 2024, the Ayala Foundation announced its plan to push through with the construction of a world-class contemporary art center at the Circuit Makati shopping center.
Ayala Foundation, the social development arm of the Ayala Group, also manages the Ayala Museum and the Filipinas Heritage Library, both in Makati City.
The Philippine creative industry encompasses a diverse range of sectors, including audio and audiovisual media, digital interactive services, advertising, creative services, publishing and printed media, performing arts, visual arts, traditional cultural expression, and cultural sites.
It is increasingly recognized as a key contributor to economic growth and cultural identity.
The Philippine creative economy expanded by 6.9% from P1.98 trillion in 2024 to P2.12 trillion in 2025, according to the data from the Philippine Statistics Authority.
It accounted for 7.6% of the country’s gross domestic product at current prices in 2025. (PNA)
