Young Creatives Challenge Grand Finale" event. The stage is brightly lit with multiple spotlights and a large red banner in the background displaying the event name. The checks have various amounts written on them, including "One Million," "Five Hundred Thousand," and "One Hundred Thousand.
In photo: Grand winners of the Regular Edition – Game Development Category with judges Alvin Juban, Andro Baluyut, and Albert Mulles, and DTI Bureau of Competitive Development and Creative Industries Development Office,Officer-in-charge, Director Lilian G. Salonga and Assistant Director Jo-Dann N. Darong

Pasay City, Philippines—The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) successfully concluded the Young Creatives Challenge (YC2) Season 2 with a grand finale event held at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall on May 6. Spearheaded by the DTI Bureau of Competitive Development and the Creative Industries Development Office, the event served as a national platform to honor and showcase the exceptional talents of young Filipino creatives across various disciplines.

The grand finale celebrated the imagination, voice, and vision of the nation’s most promising young talents through a program filled with recognition, performances, and celebration.

“Today marks not simply the culmination of a competition, but a celebration of the indefatigable Filipino creative spirit,” said DTI Competitiveness and Innovation Group Assistant Secretary Leonila T. Baluyut.

The YC2 Season 2 encompassed three distinct editions: Regular, High School, and Elementary. Across these editions, a total of eight creative categories were featured, including Animation, Game Development, Graphic Novel, Online Content Creation, Playwriting, Screenwriting (Short and Full-Length), Short Story Writing, and Songwriting.

Through a rigorous selection process participated in by hundreds of entries from across the Philippines, numerous contestants distinguished themselves. These individuals and groups were recognized as winners for their originality, compelling storytelling, and creative impact as promising young creatives.

A group of individuals standing on stage holding large ceremonial checks during the Young Creatives Challenge Grand Finale. The backdrop displays a congratulatory message for "Earnest & Eithan" as 1st Place winners in the Songwriting Category. The checks show various prize amounts, including 50,000, 200,000, and 500,000 pesos, representing 3rd place, 2nd place, and Grand Winner positions.
In photo: Grand winners of the Elementary Edition – Songwriting Category with Judge Renato Lucas and DTI Bureau of Competitive Development and Creative Industries Development Office, Officer-in-charge, Director Lilian G. Salonga

Under the Regular Edition, the grand winners are:

  • Rainbow Juice by John Gerald A. Cuarto for Animation;
  • RiBeat! by Sweet Banana for Game Development;
  • Foodtrip! by Ma. Rosalie Patungan for Graphic Novel;
  • The Fusion of Arts and Technology by Mark Cedrick S. Capareda for Online Content Creation;
  • Franchesca by Ma. Angelica Chiuteña for Playwriting;
  • Dito Muna Tayo by Khert Dahryll P. Gabayeron for Screenwriting (Short);
  • Super Bibot by Marvic Kevin C. Reyes for Screenwriting (Full-Length); and
  • Gitna ng Kalawakan by Kervin Kane L. Estrera for Songwriting.

For the High School Edition, the grand winners include:

  • From the Stars to You by DJAEL for Graphic Novel Making;
  • Welcome to my hometown (GAPAN) by MAVRICK for Online Content Creation;
  • Huling Liham ni Inay by Joshua Pasion for Short Story Writing; and
  • Kahon by Himunow Band for Songwriting.

Meanwhile, the Elementary Edition recognized the following grand winners:

  • Yomi Creates by Jindrich Queen Naomi for Elementary Edition Online Content Creation;
  • A Letter to My Mom and Dad in America by Kaylee Marae Panopio for Short Story Writing; and
  • Aral by Eron & Eithan for Songwriting.

This year’s winners received certificates and a combined total of over PHP 20 million in cash prizes.

DTI Competitiveness and Innovation Group Assistant Secretary Leonila T. Baluyut delivering the opening message at the Young Creatives Challenge Season 2 Grand Finale, standing at a podium with the DTI logo and a colorful event banner in the background.
In photo: DTI Competitiveness and Innovation Group Assistant Secretary Leonila T. Baluyut delivered the opening message at the YC2 Season 2 Grand Finale

Overall, 119 winners were honored at the event. The complete list can be accessed on the YC2 official Facebook page, @youngcreativeschallenge.

During the event, Asec. Baluyut expressed the Department’s commitment to nurturing the country’s creative talent. She noted that the growing contribution of the creative economy accounted for 8.7 percent of the country’s 2024 gross domestic product, which amounted to PHP 1.94 trillion.

The YC2 Season 2 awarding ceremony was joined by 400 individuals, including students, creative industry players, and supporters. The initiative stands as a proud testament to the immense potential, creativity, passion, and excellence of the Filipino youth.  

The culminating event was made more meaningful with live performances from Original Pinoy Music artist Maki and pop-rock band The Juans, who closed the season with an engaging reportiore of OPM favorites.

The YC2 is a key component of the broader Malikhaing Pinoy Program, a flagship initiative by the Philippine government through the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) as the chair of the Philippine Creative Industries Development Council. The program is aimed at advancing and fostering the nation’s creative industries by spotlighting Filipino talent, cultural heritage, and ingenuity. ♦

Date of Release: 20 May 2025

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