The fight for the arts can be lonely, but it doesn't have to be. ACOPEI (the Association of Cultural Offices in Philippine Educational Institutions) was formed over a decade ago to bring together educators, culture workers, arts administrators, student artists — anyone at all advocating for the arts in an academic context — in collaborative synergy. Ahead of ACOPEI's 11th National Conference, which seeks to strengthen the local arts ecosystem, DZFE's Tiffany talks to current ACOPEI president Elenita Cruz (Director, Pamantasan ng Lunsod ng Marikina Center for Culture & the Arts) and one of ACOPEI's founding members Martin Lopez (Senior Director, FEU Center for the Arts) on MAESTRO FILIPINO.