The Philippine creative industry continues to grow, creating new opportunities in music, audiovisual media, live sound and other creative fields. As the industry evolves, however, the need for skilled professionals and structured education is becoming increasingly important.

On August 14, 2026, Yamaha Music Philippines (YMPH) invited professional audio expert Homer Sajonia of the Audio Engineering Society (Mindanao) to speak at the Tech Talk session during Musik Manila Expo 2026 at Activity Area A of the World Trade Center Metro Manila.

In his presentation, “Roadmap to Audio Education in the Philippines,” Sajonia discussed the direction of professional training and the importance of developing clear educational pathways aligned with the evolving needs of the audio industry.

According to Philippine Statistics Authority data presented during the session, the country's creative economy grew from PHP 1.79 trillion in 2023 to PHP 2.12 trillion in 2025, accounting for 7.6% of the country's gross domestic product in 2025.

Creative industries also represented 17.8% of total employment, highlighting the growing role of the sector in the Philippine economy.

Sajonia noted that opportunities for audio professionals extend beyond live sound to recording, broadcast, audiovisual production, systems engineering, event production, streaming and other creative fields.

As the industry continues to develop, he emphasized the importance of creating a common reference for education and professional practice.

A key initiative discussed during the session was the development of an Audio Engineering curriculum in coordination with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

The proposed pathway includes microcredentials, national certification and diploma programs, alongside bachelor's degree programs, international certifications and advanced master classes.

Rather than limiting learning to classroom theory, the roadmap emphasizes practical experience. Sajonia highlighted the importance of laboratory-based education, where students can apply concepts in science and mathematics to real-world audio technology.

He also discussed an “Adopt a School” approach, through which industry partners can provide equipment and learning resources to help students and teachers explore technology through hands-on activities.

Sajonia emphasized that developing the audio industry requires collaboration between professionals, educators and institutions.

The Audio Engineering Society (Mindanao) continues to work on the curriculum with engineers and faculty members, with the goal of creating training that responds to actual industry requirements.

The initiative also seeks coordination with government education agencies, including TESDA, the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

By connecting education, professional certification and industry practice, the proposed roadmap aims to provide learners with clearer opportunities to develop their skills and pursue careers in the audio industry.

The discussion culminated in the Ceremonial Signing of the Joint Industry Resolution on the Audio Engineering Curriculum during Musik Manila Expo 2026.

The initiative brings together industry stakeholders in support of strengthening audio engineering education and developing the next generation of audio professionals in the Philippines.

Yamaha Music Philippines was part of the ceremony, held as part of The Yamaha Experience, reflecting the company's support for industry development through education, collaboration and innovation.

For Sajonia and the participating industry stakeholders, the signing represents another step toward establishing a more structured pathway for audio education.

The roadmap is still being developed, but the collaboration between industry and academe marks a step toward preparing Filipino professionals for an increasingly dynamic creative industry.