Paul Soriano: Marcos wants grants, cultural infrastructure to improve Philippine creative industry

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. wants to provide scholarships and build cultural infrastructure to develop the country's creative industry sector, Presidential Adviser for Creative Communications Secretary Paul Soriano said Monday.

"The President has told me he wants to bring the scholarship, the grants, you know... he wants to be able to build more cultural infrastructure to help our artists, he was talking about creative communities, villages so that people can really create... especially those that we don't have yet," Soriano, a film director, said at a press conference, noting that in six years, there will be a new breed of artists.

Soriano, who was appointed as Presidential Adviser for Creative Communications on October 17, said he is challenged with his new post, saying that the creative industry and the political arena are "two different worlds."

Soriano said he is eyeing to execute his plans by early next year, adding that he already has programs and plans for the creative industry.

"To be honest, I'm still learning as we know, creative and government are two different worlds. But there are similarities and I'm willing to embrace that," Soriano said.

"October 17 to this day, I've been just really building my team, learning my way around bureaucracy of government and I plan to aggressively start executing January next year onwards. I ask for some time to set up and study so that I could, you know, creatively communicate what's in the heart of the President. And he has told me many times, it's really the creative industries... because that's where I'm from..." he added.

Critics

Meanwhile, Soriano said he was willing to reach out to Marcos administration critics.

Asked how he would approach these critics, specifically those who were from the creative industry sector, Soriano said that if people would support the Chief Executive, "our country will be better."

"I'll reach out... We may have a lot of disagreements but maybe we could agree on one thing... that's... let's do that together," said Soriano.

He added that the end of the day, if everyone could support our President, it would be better for the country.

"For me ah, I'm trying to live in the moment and what the future can bring. If we keep focusing too much on what was yesterday or years ago, we can lose it... we can lose this opportunity... I'll extend my hand to all the people who criticize me or my wife. I choose to see the good in them, 'cos I know naman, they mean well," said the Presidential Adviser.

Soriano took his oath of office before the President on October 17.

Marcos earlier said Soriano would not be part of Malacañang's "PR machine."

According to the President, Soriano will push to improve the country's creative industry and promote the talents of Filipinos. — RSJ/DVM, GMA Integrated News