CREATEPhilippines x MIPAM 2026 adds more creative collectives and singular artists to its roster

As the countdown to CREATEPhilippines x Manila International Performing Arts Market (MIPAM) 2026 continues, more Filipino performing arts talents are joining its lineup of exhibitors whom audiences can meet and get to know when the event happens on Sept. 11 to 13.

To be held at the Likhang Filipino Exhibition Halls and the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), CREATEPhilippines x MIPAM 2026 is a performing arts festival and marketplace rolled into one. Organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) and CCP, it is dedicated to the promotion, exchange, and internationalization of the Philippines performing arts sector. By bringing together various players in the performing arts ecosystem—artists, producers, presenters, cultural institutions, and other sector enablers—the event aims to generate leads and business opportunities for the industry as a whole and prepare it for bigger expansion. 

CREATEPhilippines x MIPAM 2026 is proud to introduce its latest batch of participants who are elevating Filipino culture through their respective creative disciplines, not just within the national capital but also in the country’s regional scenes and on the international arena.

Nude Floor

A Manila-based creative platform established in 2019, Nude Floor fosters a community of dancers, choreographers, and multidisciplinary artists where movement is integrated with other creative disciplines: film, installation, sound and spatial experiences, and, of course, live performances. It has grown beyond a physical studio into an evolving creative collective that offers space and resources for community members to develop their practices and produce original, synergistic work together. One example is The Gallery, a live exhibition that explores the different ways movement can be presented, experienced, and felt. Nude Floor is also committed to building partnerships for touring, commissions, residencies, and cultural exchanges as a way to support its artists through work opportunities and potential new audiences.

The Crew PH

The frontline dance group of the University of the Philippines StreetDance Club, The Crew PH has brought glory and recognition to the country by winning international hip-hop dance competitions. Most recently, it bagged Silver for the Megacrew Division at the 2026 World Hip Hop Dance Championship—a victory that marked the group’s return to the global stage after 14 years. But even greater than the accolades is The Crew PH’s determination to make the performing arts inclusive for almost 30 years now. By teaching street dance and hip-hop to Filipino youth, its members ensure that the world will continue to witness unparalleled dance talent from the Philippines. 

Felipjah Milan

Hailing from Ormoc, multi-instrumentalist Felipjah “Mozart” Milan has been performing professionally since 2019. The young musician is frequently tapped to liven up public events, private functions, and cultural programs in his hometown due to his incredible versatility in adapting his repertoire, instrumentation, and performance format to the occasion. For CREATEPhilippines x MIPAM 2026, Milan will be performing Alindahaw, a violin performance setlist that includes classic songs, such as “Ili-ili tulog anay” and “Dandansoy,” to trace an emotional journey through the Visayan musical heritage. 

Issa Rodriguez

Awit Awardee singer-songwriter Issa Rodriguez has built a career from creating and performing songs inspired by real-life experiences and raw feelings. She combines pop, soul, and jazz influences into her own acoustic sound, expressed through original singles that have been spotted on Spotify’s Women of OPM, Pinoy Indie Mix, and Chill Ka Muna playlists. One of the artists under the Spot Talent Management of the integrated brand experience agency Vantage, Rodriguez helps aspiring artists develop their songwriting craft through workshops.

Jino Labitigan

Violinist Jino Labitigan first caught the public eye as a teenage contestant on a noontime variety show’s music competition. Ten years later, he continues to broaden the possibilities of his instrument of choice by doing covers of contemporary hits and giving them a classical polish. He also released his first-ever original single, “Gala Night,” in 2020 under Vantage Events & Music Production, Inc. 

Polecats X

As the creative movement lab of Polecats Manila, the studio that pioneered the popularization of pole dancing and aerial arts in the metro in 2009, Polecats X explores the many directions and forms that movement can take. Beyond showcasing pieces in full, its members also give audiences a glimpse into the creative process behind each original work, demonstrating how curiosity and experimentation transform pole and aerial arts into vehicles for artistic expression. 

Sinukwan Kapampangan

In the wake of the 1991 Mt. Pinatubo eruption, a group of Kapampangan artists, led by Peter de Vera, organized to form Sinukwan Kapampangan. The performing arts and heritage preservation group aims to promote and preserve indigenous Kapampangan culture by honing the talents of local youth and providing them with opportunities to perform regionally and abroad. It has represented the Philippines in international performing arts camps and festivals, such as the World Dance Alliance Conferences and Arts Festival. The group’s most significant achievement, however, is the establishment of the Bale-Balayan: Museum for the Poor and Center for Transformation through the Arts, where Kapampangan youth get to experience the arts’ power to effect social transformation. 

Anak Bale-Balayan

As the cultural performing group under the Bale-Balayan Museum for the Poor: Center for Transformation through the Arts, Anak Bale-Balayan brings traditional Filipino arts closer to the youth. Founded in 2011, it uses arts education as a tool for social transformation where young performers get to creatively reinterpret their Filipino and Asian heritage through contemporary music and dance. With its members trained in indigenous musical instruments and local classical forms of movement, Anak Bale-Balayan takes part in international cultural exchanges to develop their global understanding and awareness while strengthening their cultural identity.

Not all performing arts industry players make their mark onstage, though. Some, like Black Star Entertainment, work behind the scenes. The company supports OPM’s continued growth during its new Golden Era by producing live events and promoting P-Pop acts like SB19 and KAIA. Learn more about the work that Black Star Entertainment does to keep P-Pop’s momentum strong, both in and out of the country, by visiting its booth at CREATEPhilippines x MIPAM 2026.

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Learn more about CREATEPhilippines x MIPAM 2026 through its official website. 

CREATEPhilippines is the country's first government-led content and community platform for the local creative industries. A program organized by CITEM, it is the ultimate resource for stories and updates on the Philippines' creative community and a centralized directory and sourcing platform where Filipino creatives can share their portfolios and engage with a global audience.