MIPAM: Opening doors for Filipino art, building bridges across Asia
Manila International Performing Arts Market (MIPAM) 2026
by Sophia Eugenio, Public Relations Officer, Cultural Center of the Philippines
In every performance lies a story: of a culture, a community, and a shared humanity. Across Asia and the Pacific, the performing arts have long carried these stories forward, preserving heritage and reflecting generations of tradition that are deeply rooted in religion, mythology, and rich cultural patterns. These stories are now being amplified through the Manila International Performing Arts Market (MIPAM), an initiative led by the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) that connects artists, cultural leaders, and creative institutions across borders through the power of performing arts.
MIPAM first launched in 2019 as the country’s pioneering performing arts market, opening new pathways for Filipino artists to engage with international presenters, producers, programmers, and organisations. For the CCP, MIPAM is part of a broader effort to ensure that Filipino artists are not only celebrated at home but also positioned to engage with international audiences. Presented in partnership with CREATE Philippines and the Department of Trade and Industry – Centre for International Trade and Expositions and Missions (DTI-CITEM), the event positions the country as a melting pot of artistry that spans beyond borders and cultural barriers.
The Philippines is home to a vibrant and diverse performing arts community whose stories reflect their nation’s enduring spirit and evolving identity. Deserving of wider reach and appreciation, MIPAM was conceived to provide a venue for these artists to reach international audiences and build sustainable careers beyond their local stages.
Returning in Sep 2026 with the theme Showcasing Asia to the World, MIPAM gears towards a market-oriented and capacity-building performing arts ecosystem following its inaugural edition in 2019. It reflects the CCP’s commitment to preserving and promoting the best of Philippine arts and culture while creating meaningful opportunities for artistic exchange and collaboration.
This spirit of exchange resonates strongly with the values shared across the Asia-Pacific cultural community. In a time when the world often feels fragmented, gatherings such as MIPAM remind us of the unique ability of the arts to transcend borders. A performance may begin on one stage, but its impact can travel far beyond it.
Over three days, participants will take part in performance and pitching sessions, business-to-business meetings, networking engagements, and curated showcases designed to bring Filipino performing arts closer to international markets.
For the CCP, MIPAM is a natural extension of its mission. It is a way of supporting artists not only as creators but also as cultural ambassadors who carry the stories, aspirations, and identities of their communities. By investing in platforms that expand access, visibility, and opportunity, the CCP helps ensure that Philippine culture continues to thrive and evolve in an increasingly interconnected world.
To date, 25 Filipino artists and performing arts companies—and counting—have applied to participate, underscoring the growing demand for platforms that connect local talent with international opportunities. Through MIPAM, these artists will have the opportunity to present and pitch their works to various embassies, festival programmers, event organisers, presenters, producers, and other industry stakeholders that the CCP has brought together through its expanding network of partnerships.
MIPAM serves as the confluence of several major cultural gatherings in Sep, including the 2026 Federation for Asian Cultural Promotion (FACP) Manila Conference and Sonik Philippines 2026, further strengthening its role as a hub for international linkages and collaboration.
Established in 1981, FACP has long championed intra-Asian cultural exchange and the international touring of artists, providing a platform for cultural leaders and arts stakeholders across the Asia-Pacific to share ideas, address industry challenges, and forge stronger partnerships.
Complementing this is Sonik Philippines, the country’s premier music export, exchange, and education platform founded by Homonym and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), which works to champion Filipino talent, promote Original Pilipino Music (OPM) on the global stage, and equip artists to navigate the international music industry.
Together, these initiatives create a dynamic ecosystem where performing arts, music, culture, and creative industries converge. Through MIPAM and its growing network of partnerships, the CCP continues to support the development of a globally connected cultural sector while strengthening the Philippines’ position as a centre for artistic innovation, cultural diplomacy, and international collaboration.
Members of the AAPPAC community are warmly invited to take part in both events and discover the best of what the Philippines and other Asian regions can offer to the world.
By bringing together these diverse voices under one platform, MIPAM emphasises the role of culture in strengthening relationships among nations – opening doors not only for artists, but also for deeper appreciation and understanding across Asia and the Pacific.
MIPAM’s 2019 Performance-Pitching featuring Ea Torrado & Daloy Dance Company (Philippines)
MIPAM’s 2019 – The Networking Spaces