Inside DMAP Sari-Sari DYC 2025: The Ultimate Playground for Young Digital Creators

The Digital Marketing Association of the Philippines (DMAP) brings together over 300 young creatives for the biggest Digital Young Creators (DYC) bootcamp yet. See highlights, insights, and what’s next for the future of Philippine digital talent.

The Digital Marketing Association of the Philippines (DMAP) has officially launched its search for the next wave of digital superstars through the biggest Digital Young Creators (DYC) bootcamp to date. Held at the Ayala Museum in Makati City in September 2025, the event gathered more than 300 young creatives, innovators, and industry leaders for an inspiring weekend of learning, collaboration, and creativity.

Opening the program, DYC Co-Chairs Raymund Sison of Lennon Group and Cams Sta. Ana of Meta Philippines emphasized the event’s theme, “Sari-Sari DYC 2025,” a celebration of diversity in the digital landscape. “It celebrates creation in all its forms—a melting pot of ideas, innovations, culture, and all kinds of digital makers. A launchpad for digital young talents!” they shared.

The bootcamp served as an intensive learning experience before the main competition, featuring workshops, panel discussions, mentorship sessions, and interactive activities. Attendees had the rare chance to learn from top industry professionals including Raxenne Maniquiz, one of the country’s leading illustrators; Jann Pascua, Creative Director of Vogue Philippines; Abi Marquez, the “Lumpia Queen”; Raco Ruiz, visual artist and content creator; Antoinette Jadaone of Project 8 Projects; Carl Chavez of Lunchbox; and Merlee Jayme, Chairmom and founder of Jayme Headquarters and The Misfits Camp.

A standout moment from the event was the fireside chat on “The Power of Unstereotyping,” led by Kim Patria of Investing in Women and Adrian De Guzman of MullenLowe TREYNA, winner of the Purple Boomerang 2024. Other mentors such as Nikki Sunga, Jao Bautista, Rey Tiempo, and Marcel Lacap guided the participants through practical discussions on creativity, purpose, and digital storytelling.

Participants shared how the bootcamp reignited their creative passion. “Being able to tell a story that resonates gives you a sense of not being alone. You realize your story deserves to be heard,” shared Gian Paolo Garrido and Jann Erin Castro of Lit Lab Studios. Meanwhile, Ogy Yap and Justine Racho, Creative Directors of Oddefy Agency, emphasized the importance of staying updated in a fast-paced industry, saying, “Events like the DYC give us the chance to stay connected and learn how to better use technology.”

Mentors also encouraged participants to be fearless in expressing their creativity. Directors Jadaone and Chavez challenged them to bring “crazy ideas” to life, while Ruiz reminded everyone to “embrace the cringe” and keep creating, saying, “Just make the first step and don’t stop. If you stop, the momentum goes back to square one.” Jayme highlighted the value of idea generation, noting that “thinking ideas is one skill that’s becoming rare now. I hope DYC inspires young creatives to think deeply while mastering digital.”

Following the bootcamp, participants will move forward to the main DYC competition, where they’ll collaborate with mentors, pitch campaigns, and compete for a chance to represent the Philippines on global stages. Winners will earn the opportunity to compete at Adfest Young Lotus 2026 in Pattaya, Thailand, and SXSW 2026 in Texas, USA, along with exclusive training from top creative and digital professionals.

“The bootcamp is just a taste of what’s to come,” said Dale Lopez of Tony& and DYC’s Director for Creative. “From amplifying your purpose to embracing authenticity, these lessons will shape the next generation of creative thinkers ready to make their mark on the world stage.”

The DMAP Sari-Sari DYC 2025 was co-presented by Ayala Foundation, Meta, and Maya, in partnership with Investing in Women, Ad Standards Council, AdFest, and The One Show. The event was made possible through support from Oddefy, PepsiCo, Monde Nissin, NutriAsia, Rice in a Box, Ella the Robot Barista, Carmen’s Best, Pernod Ricard, Chowking, Shakey’s, and Maynilad, with media partners The Pod Network, EON, MMGI, Adobo Magazine, and creative partners Tony&, Mold, Bluespark, and Lit Lab Studios.

Stay tuned for more updates and highlights from the Digital Young Creators 2025 by following @dmap_ph on Instagram and watching the official launch reel at instagram.com/p/DNP8kcmP78A.