April 5, 2025
Pasig City, Philippines — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Creative Industries Development Office and Meridian International College (MINT College) have successfully concluded the Malikhaingpinoy Music Business Masterclasses, a comprehensive educational initiative designed to enhance the skills and knowledge of Filipino music professionals. The program concluded with a networking event at MINT College’s Ortigas East campus and included music industry VIPs looking to advise, guide and potentially collaborate with the newly minted graduates of the Malikhaingpinoy program.
Promotional poster for Malikhaingpinoy Music Business Masterclasses 2025.
From hundreds of applicants nationwide, 80 scholars were selected to participate in the program, which covered essential topics including Music Business Fundamentals, Legal Topics in the Music Industry, Branding, Strategic Management, Digital Distribution and Publishing, Music Marketing, Music Export, and Financial Management.
Classes began online on March 24 and continued until April 3, 2025, before transitioning to hybrid in-person sessions at MINT's Ortigas East campus in Pasig City on April 4 and 5. Participants had direct access to industry veterans who serve as instructors at MINT College, with opportunities for one-on-one consultations.
Co-Project Leader and MINT Music Business Mgmt Program Head, Lachmi Baviera (4th from right) seen here with some of her Malikhaingpinoy Music Business scholars during their final in-person masterclass. Lachmi is also the territory director for OneRPM.
The program culminated in a graduation ceremony on Saturday, April 5, hosted by MINT College Music Business Management student and GMA Artist Center talent Julia Pascual. Executive Vice President of MINT College, Hendrik Kiamzon, delivered the opening remarks, followed by a welcome message from Lachmi Baviera, MINT College Program Head for Music Business Management and Project Co-Head for the masterclasses. The DTI Director for the Bureau of Competitive Development and OIC Creative Industries Development Office, Lilian G. Salonga, delivered the keynote address.
The graduating scholars of the first ever Malikhaingpinoy Music Business Masterclasses sponsored by the DTI Creative Industries Development Office and managed by MINT College seen here in the graduation group shot at MINT College’s Ortigas East campus. Included in the photo are DTI Director Lilian Salonga and MINT College EVP, Hendrik Kiamzon.
Following the graduation ceremony, scholars participated in a networking event designed to connect them with music industry professionals. The impressive VIP guest list included executives from major music companies such as Sony Music Entertainment, OneRPM, Billboard Philippines, The Orchard, Polyeast Records, FILSCAP, Believe Music, and representatives from various other influential organizations within the Philippine music industry.
"The event was a resounding success," said Hendrik Kiamzon. "Through this collaboration between DTI and MINT College, we were able to provide meaningful opportunities for artist managers, producers, and label owners to connect with key industry figures who can help advance their careers."
Billboard PH Editor-in-Chief, Bret Jackson, giving advice on the music industry to scholars during the Malikhaingpinoy Music Business Culminating Event.
ABS-CBN Music’s Creative Director, Jonathan Manalo, passionately advises Malikhaingpinoy scholars about the Philippine music industry.
The networking session featured musical performances, many of which were managed by program scholars themselves. Notable acts included performers from Sony Music as well such as DWTA and Leyo.
Fresh from his graduation, scholar Kim Nimrod Cruz explains his excitement for the future of the Filipino music industry and is grateful to have been part of the Malikhaingpinoy Music Business Masterclasses.
Malikhaingpinoy Scholar, Kim Nimrod Cruz, who is also a composer and classical music manager, enthusiastically mentioned that, “this program emphasized the potential for longterm community engagement amongst music artists and managers, and is a great starting point to network and learn from each other. This groundbreaking event has the potential to change the landscape of the Filipino music industry and I look forward to continuing these efforts with my fellow scholars and mentors in the near future.”
Esteemed VIPs from the music industry, seen here with MINT and DTI officials, participated in the Malikhaingpinoy Music Business Masterclass Culminating Event in order to meet, advise and guide the graduates as they apply their learnings to their music careers moving forward.
Seated (From L to R): Atty. Tonisito Umali, MINT College President, Lilian G. Salonga, Dir. DTI Competitiveness and Innovation Group, Dr. Emy Abaya, MINT College Chairwoman
Standing (From L to R): Stephen Lim, Ayn Escalona-314 Studios, Justin Villanueva-Clavel Magazine, Kiko Salazar-Old School Records, Maan Atienza-Sony Music, Jonathan Manalo-ABS-CBN Music, Ethel Cachapero-Polyeast, Twinky Lagdameo-MINT College, Ms. Tet-DTI CIG, Bret Jackson-Billboard PH, Jo-Dann Darong-DTI CIG, Mony Romana-MINT College and Believe, Paulo Zarate-Studio Z, Kia Abrera-Braveworks, Vicky Malong-MINT College, Andre Alvarez-GLXY Entertainment, Hendrik Kiamzon-MINT College, Camille Castillo-Mirrorball Asia, Rafa Mesa-314 Studios, Mike Constantino-Homonym, Thursday Alciso-FILSCAP, Mae Orgasan-GMA Music.
According to MINT College President, Tonisito Umali, “The Philippines is poised to become the next South Korea in the global music scene, and it’s projects like the Malikhaingpinoy Music Business Masterclasses, funded by the Department of Trade and Industry, that can help make that possible.”
The program, which was awarded by DTI to MINT College in December 2024 with a Notice to Proceed issued in January 2025, aimed to provide a significant boost to the Philippine music industry through expert-led instruction completely free of charge to participants.
Both DTI and MINT College have expressed interest in future partnerships to continue supporting young creatives in the Philippines, helping them develop their talents and showcase their skills both locally and globally.
For more information about the Malikhaingpinoy Music Business Masterclasses or future initiatives, please contact the office of Ms. Lilian G. Salonga, Director of Bureau of Competitive Development and OIC Creative Industries Development Office at pcidcsecretariat@dti.gov.ph.
About the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI):
As the interim Secretariat of the Philippine Creative Industries Development Council (PCIDC), the Department of Trade and Industry – Creative Industries Development Office (CIDO) spearheaded the development of the Philippine Creative Industries Website Portal as a valuable resource for creative individuals and organizations within the Philippine creative sectors. The Philippine Creative Industries Development Act (PCIDA) was enacted on 28 July 2022 as the policy of the State to promote and support the development of the Philippine creative industries by protecting and strengthening the rights and capacities of creative firms, artists, artisans, creators, workers, indigenous cultural communities, content providers, and stakeholders, also known as the “creative players” in the creative industries.
About MINT College:
MINT College offers the only bachelor’s program in Music Business Management (MBM) in the country. Our MBM program is a business management program that focuses on the music industry and was founded by the late Eugene Villaluz. MINT also offers senior high school strands and college programs focusing in business, arts and technology. With a cross-disciplinary approach, strictly adhering to internationally accepted standards in teaching and learning, our students thrive in a collaborative environment, immersed in creativity and engage in activities that prepare them for real-world application. MINT College programs also include Multimedia, Film And Video, Performing Arts, Entrepreneurship, IMAC (or Marketing), Computer Science, Information Technology; and five Senior High strands: Arts and Design, STEM, HUMSS, General Academic, Accountancy, Business and Management. We also have Certificate and Special Programs such as CONTINUING EDUCATION and ACHIEVE for professionals who wish to continue their higher education.