In Dumaguete, being smart is treated as more than academic achievement — it is treated as curiosity, creativity, and a shared strength of the community. Today, October 22, the city joins the observance of Smart is Cool Day, a celebration dedicated to embracing intelligence in all its forms.
What started as a simple reminder to appreciate learning has grown into a meaningful movement in the country’s first UNESCO Creative City of Literature. The day brings together students, teachers, readers, creators, and ordinary citizens to recognize that everyone is smart in their own way, and every kind of brilliance deserves to be celebrated.
Beyond One Definition: Intelligence for Every Kind of Learner
Dumaguete’s approach to knowledge is not limited to one type of smart. Through Smart is Cool Day, the city highlights the diverse forms of brilliance we see every day — from academic excellence and artistic talent to emotional intelligence, practical skills, and creative problem-solving. It encourages everyone to embrace their smarts, challenge outdated stereotypes about what it means to be smart, and celebrate the endless pursuit of knowledge, whether in classrooms, libraries, workplaces, or at home.
This special day recognizes that learning happens everywhere, and that every form of intelligence contributes to how we understand the world, express ourselves, and inspire others.
Highlighting the Value of Knowledge in Society
This day is important because it aims to highlight the different ways people are smart and to promote a broader understanding of knowledge’s role in society. For many, being smart is a tool for growth, innovation, and community building.
For Dumaguete, known as the City of Stories and City of Literature, every curious mind represents a story of perseverance, a passion discovered, and a culture that values learning. The observance reminds residents that intelligence does not only live in grades or awards — it lives in questions asked, skills shared, and passions pursued.
More Than Grades
The message — “Embrace Your Smarts” — is simple, but the real story is what it represents: a city that values every learner, whether expert or beginner, and believes that by celebrating our unique brilliance, we shape a smarter, kinder future.
In Dumaguete, the celebration of Smart is Cool Day is a celebration of people. And as the city continues to honor its identity as a Creative City of Literature, it continues to show how a community can inspire lifelong learning by giving everyone the chance to be proud of being smart today.
