Why this moment mattered
Most design events I’ve attended usually happen in big cities, fancy hotels, or shiny conference halls. You know the type, high ceilings, expensive coffee, fast Wi-Fi. But this one? This one took place inside a small theater in Cagayan de Oro, a city in Mindanao, far from the usual design capitals. And honestly, it might be the most inspiring event I’ve been to in a while.
The event was called Oro Design Conference, the very first of its kind in Northern Mindanao. It brought together speakers from different cities across the Philippines to talk about design, branding, animation, typography, and more. The crowd? A mix of students, professionals, and creatives who were just genuinely excited to learn, share, and grow.
I didn’t go there as a speaker. I went as a learner, as a fan of good design, and as someone who believes that creativity should never be limited by location.
Because here’s the thing:
Great design isn’t about where you live. It’s about your mindset. Your intention. Your curiosity. Your community.
And on that Saturday afternoon, in the Little Theater at Xavier University, I saw proof of that.
How design is growing in the provinces
Let’s be honest, when we hear “design conference,” we usually think of Manila or maybe Cebu. Big cities. Tall buildings. Expensive ticket prices. For years, most creative events have happened in these places, and that’s fine.. but it also means that creatives from the provinces often get left out. Or worse, they feel like they don’t belong.
That’s why Oro Design Conference felt different. It wasn’t just another event, it was a statement. Northern Mindanao’s first-ever design conference, right here in Cagayan de Oro. That’s not a small thing. It’s a quiet but powerful shift, like the creative world slowly realizing, “Hey, there’s a lot of talent outside the big cities too.”
It was a half-day event. But what surprised me the most? The room was packed. Full house. People came from different parts of Mindanao, students, freelancers, agency folks, even curious beginners. No flashy booths, no over-the-top branding. Just pure excitement. You could actually feel the energy in the room.
For clients, this matters more than you might think. Why? Because if you’re only looking for designers in Metro Manila, you’re missing out on fresh perspectives and untapped talent from the provinces. These are creatives who understand local culture, who bring something different to the table, and who can work just as well remotely.
For students and aspiring designers, it was a spark. A reminder that you don’t need to “move to the big city” to grow your skills or make an impact. Sometimes, all you need is the right room, the right community, and one really good talk to light the fire.
This event showed us one thing clearly: There’s a hunger for creativity in the provinces and it’s growing louder.
The speakers, 5 cities, 5 stories, 1 message
One of the best things about the Oro Design Conference? The variety of voices.
Each speaker came from a different city, and a different creative journey. But despite their different tools, styles, and specialties, they all echoed the same message: Design isn’t just about looking good. It’s about intention, process, and meaning.
Here’s a quick breakdown of each speaker, and what I took away from their talk:
1. Angkie Borres (Cagayan de Oro): Branding and identity
Angkie kicked off the event, and right away, you could feel the hometown pride. He talked about branding, photography, and how he works as a designer. But what stood out most was his explanation of the rule of thirds, a basic photography guideline that, somehow, felt like life advice too.
He reminded us that structure isn’t limiting, it actually helps creativity. Knowing the rules allows you to break them better. And that applies to design and also, probably, to life in general.
2. Julz Arboleda (Iligan): branding with intention
Julz took things deeper with branding. He said something that stuck with me:
“Perception is reality.” Meaning: how people see your brand becomes your brand. So it’s your job as a designer to guide that perception.
He talked about brand briefs, mood boards, and how to really understand your audience and product. It wasn’t just about making logos, it was about building meaning. Julz’s talk was like a gentle push to take branding seriously, to stop just designing and start thinking.
3. Stephanie Tudtud (Cebu): Visual communication
Stephanie showed a lot of her work, including her stop motion animations (which were super creative, by the way). But her main point was all about value, how we, as designers, need to give value to what we do. She also shared something personal: how even seasoned designers deal with insecurities. Her advice?
“Go back to the value of your work. That’s where your confidence lives.”
Relatable, right? Whether you’re just starting or 10 years in, that reminder hits home.
4. Jad Maza (Iloilo): Typography & representation
This talk was unexpectedly powerful. Jad didn’t just talk about fonts, he talked about representation in design.
He asked: “Why are most typefaces designed by white men? Where are the Filipino-made fonts?”
And then he showed us: type63.ph, a growing archive of typefaces designed by Filipinos. It felt like a challenge to us all, to stop just using tools made for someone else’s culture, and start building our own. Typography isn’t just design, it’s identity.
5. Marvin Te (Davao): Learning frameworks for animation
Marvin closed the speaker lineup with something very practical: HOW TO LEARN.
He broke down his process for learning animation using Blender, frame-by-frame techniques, and After Effects. But what made his talk memorable was how transparent he was. He didn’t pretend to be a genius. He just showed that with the right process, patience, and practice, you can figure things out.
His biggest advice? “Be updated. Stay curious. Always be learning.”
Simple. Solid. True. In the end, what these five creatives shared wasn’t just technique, it was mindset. They each came from different cities, CDO, Iligan, Cebu, Iloilo, Davao, but they spoke the same language: passion, process, purpose. And for all of us sitting in the audience, it felt like we were no longer just attendees. We were part of something. Something bigger.
My personal takeaways as a creative & educator
As a creative, I was reminded that design isn’t just about skills, it’s about intention. Each speaker had their own workflow, tools, and tricks. But what made their work stand out wasn’t the software. It was their purpose. They knew why they designed the way they did.
That hit me. Sometimes, especially when we’re busy with projects or chasing deadlines, we forget to ask the simple questions: “Why am I doing this? Who am I helping? What story am I telling?”
As a freelancer, the audience moved me even more. The energy in the room was different. There were students asking thoughtful questions. Young designers scribbling notes. Some even approached the speakers after the event just to say thank you. You could tell, they weren’t just there to pass time. They came to grow.
And honestly? It reminded me why I love sharing content. It’s not just about passing down knowledge. It’s about creating moments like this, where someone hears a single sentence and starts to believe in themselves a little more.
My biggest takeaway? There’s so much creative potential in the provinces. It just needs a space to breathe. And that space doesn’t have to be big. Sometimes, it just needs to be real.
Why this is bigger than one event
On paper, Oro Design Conference was just a half-day event. Five speakers. One venue. A few hundred creatives in the room. But if you were there, you’d know, it was more than that.
This wasn’t just about learning new techniques or meeting industry names. It was about belonging. It was proof that Mindanao, often overlooked in creative circles, has a strong, growing design community that’s ready to step up, speak out, and build something real.
And here’s the thing: this isn’t just a Mindanao story, it’s a national one. Imagine if more cities held events like this. Imagine the ripple effect, students who feel seen, freelancers who finally find their people, and local clients who realize they don’t need to outsource everything to Manila. They can find talent right here, in their own backyard.
It also reminded me that we don’t need to wait for “the big guys” to bring change. Sometimes, change starts with a few people who believe in something enough to make it happen, right where they are. So yeah, it was just one event. But it sparked something. And I think it’s only the beginning.
For clients, creatives, and the curious
Let me speak directly to a few of you reading this, because whether you’re here looking for a designer, thinking of becoming one, or just curious about the creative world.. this part is for you.
To future clients
If you’re hiring a designer, here’s something to think about: Great design doesn’t always come from big agencies in big cities. Sometimes it comes from someone working late at night in a small town studio with a second-hand laptop and a big heart.
What really matters is not the address, it’s the intention, process, and storytelling behind the work. And trust me, Mindanao is full of talent just waiting to be discovered. So the next time you’re looking for creative help, try looking further than the usual. You might be surprised by what you find.
To creatives (and future creatives)
You don’t have to “make it” in Manila to be legit.
You don’t need a perfect setup, expensive gear, or 100K followers.
You just need to start, stay curious, and stay consistent.
The speakers at Oro Design Con didn’t have the same paths, but they had the same mindset: Keep learning. Keep showing up. And never forget your “why.”
To the curious ones:
If something in you is drawn to design, storytelling, or creativity, follow it. Even if you’re not sure where it leads. Because curiosity might just be the beginning of your next chapter.
Conclusion: A signal from the south
When I left the theater that afternoon, my head was full, but my heart was even fuller. Oro Design Conference wasn’t just another creative event. It was a signal, that the Philippines’ creative scene isn’t just alive in the cities we usually hear about. It’s growing quietly, confidently, right here in the provinces.
From the speakers who flew in from five different cities, to the students who showed up with notebooks and big dreams, this event reminded me that design doesn’t belong to just one place. It belongs to all of us.
This moment in Cagayan de Oro made something clear: You don’t need to be in the “center” to make an impact. You just need to show up, stay curious, and keep building. And if this is what’s already happening in Northern Mindanao.. just imagine where we’ll be five years from now. To everyone who organized, spoke, attended, or just showed up to support, thank you. You helped spark something. And this story? It’s far from over.
See you at the next one.
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