Manila: First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos has emphasized the significance of promoting the Philippines' creative industries on the international stage. During the inauguration of the temporary office of the Manila International Film Festival in Makati City, Araneta-Marcos highlighted the importance of marketing Filipino talents globally to advance Filipino filmmakers and promote national pride. 'The best way to help the movie industry is to tell the world that Filipinos are good, we're talented,' she remarked. According to Philippines News Agency, Araneta-Marcos also stressed the need to increase awareness of the country's creative industries by engaging key stakeholders. She mentioned that promoting local talents and producing world-class films would enhance the nation's film industry and contribute to the country's cultural pride and identity. 'There are so many prestigious film festivals across the globe, such as Cannes and Sundance. Here in the Philippines, we have the Metro Manila Film Festival and the Man ila International Film Festival (MIFF),' she noted. Prominent creative industry professional Greg Garcia supported Araneta-Marcos' statements, pointing out the significant influence of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) worldwide. 'OFWs are running the world right now. Their influence spans across industries, and that includes the global film landscape. Some of the best professionals in the movie industry are Filipinos, but they remain one of the best-kept secrets,' Garcia stated. He further asserted that the time is 'ripe' for the Philippines to showcase its best talents and films internationally. Garcia emphasized the potential for the Philippines to offer its finest talents to the world, which would, in turn, elevate the Philippine film industry. The campaign 'Give the World Our Best' urges the Philippine creative industry to unite and fully utilize international platforms. In December last year, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. expressed the Philippines' intention to form partnerships with Japan and oth er countries to increase its share in the global creative industries market. He recognized the Philippine creative economy as a significant contributor to sustainable economic development, with expectations of growth to USD3.4 trillion by 2028. The creative economy was valued at PHP1.6 trillion, contributing 7.3 percent to the country's gross domestic product, based on the 2022 data from the Philippine Statistics Authority. The creative industry currently employs over seven million Filipinos.