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| (Image Source: Manila Standard/Department Of Trade And Industry - Philippines) |
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through the Philippine Creative Industries Development Council Secretariat (PCIDCS) under its Malikhaing Pinoy Program, is calling on young Filipino creatives to join the Young Creatives Challenge (YC2) for a chance to win up to Php1M (1 million pesos). Aspiring artists, storytellers, musicians, game developers, and innovators nationwide can submit their original, unpublished, and unproduced works until January 31, 2026.
Now in its third season, YC2 features the Regular, Elementary, and High School Editions. Categories include Animation, Game Development, Graphic Novel, Online Content Creation, Playwriting, Screenwriting, Short Story Writing, and Songwriting. The Regular Edition is open to young professionals aged 18 to 35 years old while the Elementary and High School Editions welcome students from Grades 1 to 12. Interested participants can refer to the YC2 Season 3 Terms and Conditions available on the official YC2 website for additional details. This call follows the success of the inaugural YC2 Creative Festival, held last November 22–23, 2025 at Samsung Hall, SM Aura Premier, Taguig City, where YC2 Season 3 was officially launched and the winning entries from YC2 Seasons 1 and 2 winners were showcased. YC2 Songwriting Category winners Likha, Kervin Kane, Eron & Eithan, and Himunow Band performed their winning pieces with Kervin Kane also achieving a dream collaboration with OPM artist Janine Teñoso. YC2 offers participants not only the chance to win up to Php1M (1 million pesos) but also the opportunity to gain exposure to mentors, creative leaders, and industry experts. More than a competition, it serves as a platform for young creatives to showcase and elevate their works while contributing to the continued growth of the country’s creative industries.
Submission of entries and other information may be found on the official YC2 website at www.yc2.malikhaingpinoy.ph. Participants may follow @youngcreativeschallenge on social media for more updates. Tagged as the grandest showcase of creativity, YC2 is one of the projects under the Malikhaing Pinoy Program — a flagship initiative of the Philippine government, implemented by the DTI as the Chair of the Philippine Creative Industries Development Council. It is aimed at elevating Filipino creativity and advancing the creative agenda, spotlighting Filipino talent, cultural heritage, and ingenuity.
