The creatives industry is changing faster than ever, with artificial intelligence, shifting social media algorithms, and the rise of the creator economy reshaping how stories are told — and who gets heard.
For students of the Far Eastern University (FEU) Institute of Technology’s Multimedia Arts program, that reality took center stage during “CoeXist: In Pursuit of Progress,” a student-led industry seminar that gathered communications and digital marketing professionals to share practical insights on building sustainable careers in today’s fast-moving digital landscape.
Held at the university’s 17th Floor Multipurpose Room, the event brought together aspiring multimedia artists, designers, storytellers, and content creators eager to learn what it takes to stay relevant in an increasingly competitive industry.
Building trust remains communications’ greatest asset
Ana Ruby B. Pista, APR, president of the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP)
One of the seminar’s highlights was a keynote by Ana Ruby B. Pista, APR, president of the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP), founder and CEO of Ardent Communications and BrandComm Asia, and co-founder and CEO of the AI Centre of Excellence.
Speaking on “PR in the Digital Age: Clicks, Trends, and Influence,” Pista urged students to look beyond fleeting online trends and focus instead on mastering the fundamentals of communication.
“Navigating the public relations and social media landscape this year feels a bit like trying to catch lightning in a bottle,” she said.
While technology continues to transform the communications industry, she reminded students that the role of communicators remains unchanged: to build trust, tell meaningful stories, and adapt without losing sight of ethical responsibility.
“In 2026, the rule of the game remains brutal but simple: only those who keep in step with the changing landscape, adapt, and innovate will survive. Thrive, even,” Pista added.
Turning creative passions into sustainable digital careers
A presentation slide introducing CoeXist: In Pursuit of Progress, FEU Tech’s Multimedia Arts seminar exploring the intersection of diverse creative perspectives and emerging digital trends
The conversation then shifted from storytelling to entrepreneurship as digital strategist Kristian Remigio discussed how aspiring creators can generate income through affiliate marketing and other digital opportunities. His session explored practical ways students can turn creative skills into sustainable careers in today’s growing creator economy.
For the organizers, however, CoeXist was about more than just preparing students for life after graduation.
According to Multimedia Arts Batch 10 Head Joyz Zantua, the seminar reflects the collaborative spirit behind the students’ upcoming thesis projects.
“CoeXist is the first student-led coalition of its kind in our program, pioneering a new model that merges different creative genres for our final thesis requirement,” she explained.
Pauline Mapoy (left) and Nicole Gou (right) serve as emcees for FEU Tech’s Multimedia Arts seminar, CoeXist: In Pursuit of Progress.
Inspired by the contrasting worlds portrayed in the animated series Arcane, the coalition encourages students from different creative disciplines to work together while exploring how technology, design, and storytelling intersect.
As the lines between creativity, technology, and business continue to blur, seminars like CoeXist offer students something increasingly valuable: not just technical knowledge, but a clearer picture of the realities — and opportunities — that await them after graduation.
