(L-R) Mr. Bong Mojica Executive Director of UA&P CORE, Daianne Moreno-Mempin Katha Pilipinas Founder and Managing Director, Dr. Winston Padojinog UA&P President
Pasig City, Philippines (December 4, 2023)- Katha Pilipinas and the University of Asia and the Pacific, came together to solidify their partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement. This collaboration marks the beginning of an exciting venture as part of Katha Pilipinas Arts Management Series, which will be launched with its inaugural program titled "Navigating Freelancing Life as a Creative."
The President of the University of Asia and the Pacific, Dr. Winston Padojinog, alongside Bong Mojica, Executive Director of UA&P Center for Real World Education (CORE), Founder and Managing Director of Katha Pilipinas, Daianne Moreno-Mempin, and Joseph Noel Parcon, Vice Director of the Center for Student Affairs (CSA) and the Head of the Office of Student Development (OSD), signed the agreement.
Photos by Gabriele Villafuerte
Katha Pilipinas, a creative social enterprise and arts management initiative established in 2016, functions based on its three core pillars: arts management, retail, and social action. In 2024, the initiative embarks on a new chapter to create a deeper impact on the Filipino creative community and contribute to nation-building.
Katha Pilipinas Founder and Managing Director, Daianne Moreno-Mempin
The University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) is a prestigious educational institution in the Philippines, regarded highly in Asia. It offers various programs of study that are rooted in the principles of liberal education. These programs aim to provide students with a comprehensive education that develops their intellectual discipline, essential for acquiring specialized knowledge in their respective fields.
"Navigating Freelancing Life as a Creative”, designed by the founder of Katha Pilipinas, Daianne Moreno-Mempin (an alumna of the university), aims to equip aspiring artists and creatives with the necessary skills and knowledge to thrive in the evolving landscape of the Philippine creative industries. Through this certificate program, participants will gain valuable insights into the intricacies of freelancing and learn how to effectively navigate the challenges that come with it. This once overlooked segment is now receiving the recognition it rightfully deserves both in the grassroots and institutional levels with the enactment of the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act (Republic Act No. 11904).
This pioneering program will be facilitated by the Center for Real World Education (CORE), a department at the University of Asia and the Pacific that is dedicated to providing practical and relevant learning experiences as part of a professional’s continuous education and growth.
(L-R) Vice Director of UA&P CORE, Ferdinand S. Piñgul,, Katha Pilipinas Founder and Managing Director Daianne Moreno-Mempin, UA&P CORE Content Development Lead, Minnie Guizano
The "Navigating Freelancing Life as a Creative" certificate program will cover a wide range of topics essential to freelancers in the creative field. Participants can expect to delve into business and behavioral tracks such as financial management, client acquisition and retention, negotiations, marketing strategies, personal branding and growth. By addressing these key areas, the program aims to empower creatives to not only survive but thrive in their chosen profession.
Participants of the program will have the opportunity to learn from industry experts and experienced practitioners who have successfully carved their path in the creative industries. Through interactive workshops, case studies, and practical exercises, participants will gain skills and insights that can be applied directly to their freelancing careers. With the support of UA&P Center for Teaching and Learning, certain aspects of the program will involve the implementation of technology-enabled methods to enhance teaching efficiency.
The signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between Katha Pilipinas and the University of Asia and the Pacific signifies a commitment to providing quality education to create more opportunities for aspiring artists and creatives. By combining their resources, expertise, and networks, these two institutions aim to nurture a generation of talented and resilient creatives who can contribute to the growth and development of the arts industry in the Philippines and beyond.
UA&P Faculty and Officials & Katha Pilipinas Team
As the pilot program of the Arts Management Series, "Navigating Freelancing Life as a Creative" will run in March 2024, it promises to be just the beginning of an exciting journey towards empowering Filipino creatives.
Photos by Gabriele Villafuerte